The competition, which started with 10 goal handicap, has picked up momentum and evolved into an 18 goal handicap competition in record time. This is down to the overwhelming desire of the participating teams, their owners who have backed the tournament for many years and of course to the great support of Al Habtoor Family. They have all contributed to helping make Dubai a global polo destination.
Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2018
The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, also known as the Dubai Open, is an 18 Goal Handicap competition. It entered its ninth year under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. It was first founded by Mohammed Al Habtoor in 2009 and since then it has grown in tandem with the city of Dubai. It is one of the highest handicap competitions in the Middle East and the fourth largest tournament of its kind after Argentina, the US and the UK. It is the only tournament in the UAE to be recognized and certified by the World Polo Tour (WPT). The series is split into two tournaments that will start with the McLaren Cup from the 26th of January to the 9th of February and the Julius Baer Gold Cup from the 16th of February to the 9th of March 2018.
The tournaments are usually held at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, a new equestrian centre located in DubaiLand. The tournaments attract polo stars from around the world, VIPs, society figures as well as senior corporate executives from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series is gaining worldwide support and is picking up momentum.
McLaren Cup 2018, 18 goal handicap
The McLaren Cup is part of The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series and is an 18 Goal Handicap tournament that enter in its ninth year under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. The tournament is one of the highest tournaments in the UAE. We look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best Polo teams and the most respected names from the world of polo who have confirmed their participation for 2018.
You can expect thrilling up-close polo action as well as high-class entertainment with international DJ’s and a stylish after party for family and friends. McLaren Supercars will also be showcasing the coolest range of luxury cars. The McLaren Cup exudes a great atmosphere unlike any other polo event. The tournament is the premier regional polo competition of the year, and attracts VIPs, society figures, and senior corporate executives from across the GCC.
Julius Baer Gold Cup 2018, 18 Goal handicap (Dubai Open)
Starting on the 16th of February and the most expected final to take place on the 9th of March is the Julius Baer Gold Cup which is part of The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series. The tournament is one of the highest ranked tournaments in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, ranking it among the best polo tournaments worldwide and played under the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA). There will be 9 teams from around the world, some of the world’s most respected and professional names have confirmed their participation to compete in the 2018 Tournament.
The Julius Baer Gold Cup is filled with passion, tradition and sporting elegance… a unique experience symbolized and reflected by the tournament and the people. Every year, this tournament gathers together the most glamorous people from the Dubai social scene and fans of the ‘sport of kings’ to a spectacular performance by the world’s best polo players. The final day of the Julius Baer Gold Cup is a celebration unlike any other, with top entertainment acts, VIP luncheons, The Gold Lounge party attracting celebrities and VIPs and special attendance by Royals.
Sir Winston Churchill Cup
The Sir Winston Churchill Cup is another tournament in celebration of Churchill’s passion for the sport. As most Churchill fans know, Sir Winston was an avid polo player while serving in India in the late 1890’s. He once famously said “a polo handicap is a passport to the world”. Sir Winston Churchill played spirited polo until he retired at age 52, but continued riding until the age of 76. 6 Teams will be participating in the Tournament and special guest: George John Godolphin Spencer Churchill, the Marquess of Blandford, will be in attendance.
The AHPRC League
The AHPRC is a series of 5 Leagues played throughout the season, with a 4-6 goal handicap at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club. It is a new addition to the polo sport in Dubai and is a week long 4-6 handicap tournament, held every month at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort Club and is one of the earliest tournaments lined up for the whole polo season in the region. Six teams have participated in the event namely: Habtoor Polo, Mahra Polo, Kuwait Polo, Brunei Polo, Zedan Polo and The Royals.
The Final of the first AHPRC League was played on the 10th of November 2017 between Habtoor Polo and Mahra Polo. The final game was very tight and both teams battled hard for the victory. Despite of a two-goal gap with only two minutes to go, Habtoor suffered till the very end to achieve the final victory. HRH Prince Abbas bin Ali bin Nayef was the Most Valuable Player of the final and Mare Quini from Patron Rashid Al Habtoor was the Best Playing Pony.
