🐎🥂 Polo in Sotogrande is not just a sport. It is a social phenomenon, a tradition that began in 1965 when Enrique Zóbel built the first pitch on La Playa.
Two years later, in 1967, the first official tournament was played. And in 1971, the mythical Copa de Oro (Gold Cup) was born, which today remains the most coveted trophy on the calendar.
Sotogrande is considered one of the few places in the world where polo can be played almost all year round, thanks to its privileged climate.
The high season starts in May and runs until September, but the big moment comes with the International Summer Tournament. In 2026, the 55th International Polo Tournament will be held from 27 July to 29 August, organised by Ayala Polo Club (which has been managing the season for the sixth consecutive year) at its facilities in San Enrique de Guadiaro and at the Los Pinos pitches.
The tournament is divided into three categories:
- High Handicap (20-22 goals)
- Medium Handicap (12-14 goals)
Previous editions have featured legendary figures such as Adolfo Cambiaso (considered the Messi of polo) and the brothers Bartolomé and Camilo Castagnola.
Among the spectators, the list of celebrities is endless: Princess Azemah of Brunei, Prince Harry, Sarah Ferguson, Naomi Campbell, Esther Cañadas, the Dukes of Alba and a very long etcetera.
At The Sun Places we tell you everything you need to know to experience Polo in Sotogrande with maximum luxury and comfort.
When is Polo in Sotogrande?
📅 Polo in Sotogrande has its high season between May and September.
The key dates for the 55th International Polo Tournament (the 2026 edition) are from Monday 27 July to Saturday 29 August.
Within this period, the tournaments are structured as follows: Bronze Cup (27 July to 2 August), Silver Cup (4 to 16 August) and the grand final of the Gold Cup (18 to 29 August).
The Gold Cup final is the most important day, with the trophy presentation ceremony and the tradition of stepping onto the pitch to stamp the divots (the pieces of turf lifted by the horses).
Matches are normally played in the afternoon, from 5:00 or 6:00 pm, to avoid the heat. Entry to all matches is free for the general public, but VIP areas, boxes and hospitality tents require an invitation or paid reservation.
The Sun Places offers you an absolute luxury experience: from your arrival by chauffeur-driven car to the private box with champagne, including gala dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Skina or Messina, and relaxing afternoons at the exclusive beach clubs of
Puerto Banús: the heart of luxuryThe best time to enjoy Polo in Sotogrande is August, with warm but bearable temperatures and the clear skies typical of the Costa del Sol.
📍 Where is Polo in Sotogrande located?
Polo in Sotogrande is held at the Ayala Polo Club facilities, located in San Enrique de Guadiaro (San Roque, Cádiz), and at the Los Pinos pitches, also in the municipality of San Roque.
Sotogrande is just 15 minutes by car from Puerto Banús and about 20 minutes from the centre of Marbella.
The proximity to iconic luxury spots is total: from our Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, on the Costa del Sol: the Golden Mile of the Mediterranean, it takes just 15 minutes.
The best Michelin-starred restaurants in Marbella (Skina, Messina, Back, Leña by Dani García) are 10-15 minutes away.
The most exclusive beach clubs, such as La Plage Casanis and Ocean Club, are also a stone's throw away.
Furthermore, Polo in Sotogrande coincides in dates with the end of the VIII Intercontinental Cup Marbella–Ceuta–Sotogrande (which ends in May) and with the Sunday Sunset Ritual — La Plage Casanis which is held every Sunday.
The Sun Places offers you private transport in a high-end car to comfortably move between the tournament, the restaurants and your apartment.
📜 History of Polo in Sotogrande
The history of Polo in Sotogrande is fascinating and dates back to 1965, when Filipino businessman Joseph McMicking and his nephews Enrique and Jaime Zóbel acquired the Paniagua estate to create a luxury resort inspired by Pebble Beach (California) and the exclusive clubs of the Philippines.
That same year, Enrique Zóbel built the first polo pitch on the beach (La Playa), and two years later the first official tournament was played. In 1971, the Gold Cup was born, which quickly attracted the best players in the world.
In 1973, the Silver Cup began to be contested. In the 1980s, Polo in Sotogrande was already an unmissable date on the international calendar, with teams from Argentina, the United Kingdom and the United States.
In 1984, a storm at sea destroyed the mythical La Playa pitch, which forced the construction of the new Río Sotogrande pitches (1985-1986).
In 1989, an equine plague epidemic forced the tournament to be suspended for the first and only time.
In 1992, the Puente de Hierro pitches were created. In 2002, work began on the Los Pinos pitches, inaugurated in 2008.
In 2006, the Santa María Polo Club joined the Royal Order of Sports Merit. In 2021, Ayala Polo Club took over the management of the international tournament, further professionalising it. Today, Polo in Sotogrande is considered the third most important tournament in the world, behind only the Argentine Triple Crown and the English tournaments.
The 55th edition is celebrated in 2026, a milestone that will undoubtedly attract legendary figures such as Adolfo Cambiaso (if he decides to play) and the new promises of the sport. For The Sun Places, witnessing this tradition is an honour and a unique opportunity to offer our guests a luxury experience with history.
Gastronomy, sport and luxury in Polo in Sotogrande
Three are the pillars of the experience around Polo in Sotogrande: gastronomy, sport and luxury.
- Gastronomy is present in every corner: in the VIP tents, where canapés of red tuna from almadraba and oysters from the Ebro Delta are served; in the Last Chukker food trucks, with options of international and local gastronomy (sardine skewers, gazpacho, salmorejo, fried fish); in nearby restaurants such as La Plage Casanis (brothy rice), Trocadero Arena (legendary sardine skewers) and El Ancla (fish grills).
- Sport is, of course, the protagonist. Seeing the best riders in the world galloping at over 50 km/h, hitting the wooden ball with millimetric precision, is a unique spectacle.
- Luxury permeates every detail: from the outfits of the attendees (haute couture dresses, wide-brimmed hats, linen blazers) to the cars parked nearby (Ferraris, Bentleys, Maseratis).
In the VIP stands, champagne flows and conversations mingle with the sound of hooves. The Sun Places offers you a total immersion in this universe, with access to the most exclusive areas and gastronomic experiences designed by private chefs.
🏇 The best players of Polo in Sotogrande
Polo in Sotogrande has attracted the greatest legends of this sport throughout its history.
The most famous is Adolfo Cambiaso (handicap 10), considered the best player in history, nicknamed the Messi of polo. Cambiaso has participated in several editions of the tournament, delighting the public with his skill and vision of the game.
Other mythical names are the brothers Bartolomé and Camilo Castagnola (nephews of Cambiaso), who at just 18 years old already play with a handicap of 9 and are considered the future of the sport. Figures such as Juan Martín Nero, Pablo McDonough and David Stirling have also passed through Sotogrande. The 2026 edition is expected to feature teams from Argentina (the dominant country in world polo), England, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
The level of the matches is extremely high, with professional players who prepare for months to be in top shape for the event. The tournament's handicap varies between 20 and 22 goals for the High category, which guarantees a top-level spectacle.
👗 Dress code for Polo in Sotogrande
Polo in Sotogrande is both a sporting event and a fashion runway. The dress code is elegant but not excessively rigid.
For women, a midi or long dress (preferably linen, silk or cotton) is recommended, a wide-brimmed hat or headpiece (especially at the finals), leather sandals or designer espadrilles, and raffia or linen accessories. High heels that sink into the grass should be avoided.
For men, linen trousers or chinos, long-sleeved shirt or cotton polo shirt, blazer jacket (optional but highly recommended for VIP boxes), boat shoes or loafers. Light colours (white, beige, light blue) are the most common.
In the VIP areas and private boxes, the attire is more formal (jacket and tie for gala dinners). The general public can dress more casually, but always within an elegant style (flip-flops, swimsuits or sportswear are not allowed).
The Sun Places advises you on the appropriate wardrobe and we can even organise a private stylist service so you look impeccable. Because at Polo in Sotogrande, image is almost as important as the sport.
🏆Polo in Sotogrande tournaments: Gold, Silver and Bronze Cups
Polo in Sotogrande reaches its peak with the International Summer Tournament, which consists of three competitions: the Bronze Cup, the Silver Cup and the Gold Cup.
The Bronze Cup is contested at the end of July and beginning of August, lasting approximately one week. It is the prelude to the major competitions and usually brings together medium-low handicap teams (6-14 goals).
The Silver Cup is played in the second half of August (approximately 4 to 16 August) and is one of the most prestigious, with medium-high handicap teams (12-18 goals).
The Gold Cup is the main event, the jewel in the crown. It is held from mid to late August (18 to 29 August) and brings together the best teams in the world with handicaps of 20 to 22 goals. The Gold Cup matches are the most intense and spectacular, with top-level professional players.
In addition to these main tournaments, the Polo in Sotogrande calendar includes the Welcome Cup (May), the Ke Sotogrande Cup (May-June), the Joseph McMicking Cup (June), the Open de España (June), the Memorial Manuel Prado y Colón de Carvajal (July) and the Memorial Fundador Enrique Zóbel (July).
In total, more than 30 tournaments throughout the year. The Sun Places offers you packages to attend the matches that interest you most.
🍽️The best restaurants near Polo in Sotogrande
Polo in Sotogrande is also experienced at the table. Just a few minutes from the pitches, there are top-level restaurants.
The Polo Club Restaurant, within the Ayala Polo Club facilities, offers international cuisine with views of the pitches. Its speciality is grilled meats and fresh fish. We recommend the red tuna from almadraba and the white prawns from Motril.
In the Sotogrande port area, we find the Trocadero Sotogrande restaurant, brother of the famous Marbella beach bar, with sardine skewers and rice dishes.
Furthermore, The Sun Places has selected the Michelin-starred and Repsol Sun restaurants closest to the tournament.
- Skina (2 Michelin Stars), in the old town of Marbella, offers a tasting menu of Andalusian signature cuisine in an intimate space of just 8 tables. Its star dish is red tuna tartare with tomato ice cream
- Messina (1 Michelin Star) surprises with its avant-garde international cuisine, with dishes such as wild sea bass with sardine skewer broth
- Back (1 Michelin Star + 1 Repsol Sun) is the place for lovers of technique and creativity, with a tasting menu that changes each season
- Leña Marbella by Dani García (1 Repsol Sun) is the most beautiful steakhouse in the world, according to the international press, and offers aged meats in a relaxed luxury atmosphere
- Additionally, luxury beach bars such as La Plage Casanis and Ocean Club offer brothy lobster rice and red tuna from almadraba with sea views
The Sun Places also organises exclusive experiences: a private chef (with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants) will cook for you in your apartment, with products selected from the Marbella Municipal Market and wine pairing from Ronda.
Or if you prefer, a private tasting of extra virgin olive oil on the terrace of your penthouse, with views of the Mediterranean.
🎉Last Chukker: the party after Polo in Sotogrande
Polo in Sotogrande does not end when the referee blows the final whistle. After each day's matches, especially during the finals, the Last Chukker area is set up, a kind of ephemeral village where food trucks, fashion shops, art galleries, open bars and live music stages are concentrated.
It is the meeting place for players, celebrities, sponsors and the public. There you can have a light dinner, buy souvenirs, dance or simply have a drink while discussing the match. The atmosphere is festive but elegant, with a musical selection ranging from chill-out to pop.
The Last Chukker at Polo in Sotogrande is famous for its surprise performances: in past editions, international DJs and even some famous singers have played. The Sun Places offers you preferential access to the VIP area of the Last Chukker, with an open bar and reserved seating.
And if you like fashion, the stalls of emerging designers are an excellent opportunity to buy unique pieces. Without a doubt, the Last Chukker is the icing on the cake of Polo in Sotogrande.
🏅 What Polo in Sotogrande represents for the Costa del Sol and The Sun Places
Polo in Sotogrande represents the essence of luxury and tradition on the Costa del Sol. Since its foundation in the 1960s, Sotogrande has been synonymous with exclusivity, discretion and good taste.
The polo tournament is the quintessential social event of the summer, the meeting point for the aristocracy, big businessmen and international celebrities.
For The Sun Places, Polo in Sotogrande is an unmissable date on our experiences calendar.
That is why we have designed exclusive packs that combine accommodation in our Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús with access to VIP boxes, gala dinners with the players, private transport in a high-end car and gastronomic experiences at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Skina, Messina, Back or Leña by Dani García.
We also offer the possibility of combining the tournament with an afternoon of golf on the best courses on the Costa del Sol, or with a cultural visit to Málaga to enjoy its theatres and museums.
We want our guests to experience the tournament from the inside, to feel the emotion of the horses galloping just metres away, to savour the champagne in the stands, to be part of the tradition of stamping the divots.
That is Polo in Sotogrande for us: an authentic luxury, lived with intensity and without worries.
The perfect plan with The Sun Places for Polo in Sotogrande
We end with a summary of our perfect plan for Polo in Sotogrande.
Thursday:
- In the afternoon, relaxation on the terrace of your penthouse with a private pool and views of the Alboran Sea.
- dinner at Messina (1 Michelin Star).
Friday:
- Morning spa at Puente Romano
- At 16:00, departure to Ayala Polo Club in our high-end car
- VIP access to a private box with Veuve Clicquot Champagne and red tuna from almadraba canapés prepared by the chef of the Messina restaurant (1 Michelin Star
- Dinner at Skina (2 Michelin Stars)
Saturday:
- Silver Cup semi-finals with VIP access and champagne
- Night at the Last Chukker with dinner at haute cuisine food trucks.
Sunday:
- Gold Cup final, divot stamping, trophy presentation and gala dinner at Leña by Dani García (1 Repsol Sun)
All this with accommodation in our Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, private transport in a high-end car, priority reservations at Michelin-starred restaurants and personalised attention from our team.
Additionally, you can combine Polo in Sotogrande with the Sunday Sunset Ritual — La Plage Casanis if you travel on a Sunday, or with the VIII Intercontinental Cup Marbella–Ceuta–Sotogrande if you coincide in May, or with a getaway to Málaga to enjoy its theatres and museums.
The Sun Places organises everything so you can live the most exclusive summer of your life. Are you going to miss it?
📞 Contact The Sun Places and let us organise your experience at Polo in Sotogrande. Sport, luxury and tradition on the Costa del Sol. 🐎🥂🌞
But if you prefer other destinations, The Sun Places also has ready for you: Luxury Apartments in Barcelona, Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, Luxury Apartments in Seville.
We look forward to seeing you at The Sun Places, where Luxury is enjoying Luxury!