USPA International Cup - Hurlingham Polo

United States, Brazil To Play For USPA International Cup; Sponsor Packages, Tickets Go On Sale

The United States and Brazil will play in the sixth annual USPA International Cup on Nov. 25 at Grand Champions Polo Club.

By Sharon Robb

It will be the sixth time Grand Champions Polo Club will host a major international men’s game in club history.

Since 2012 in front of sellout crowds and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, the U.S. has beaten England, Chile, Mexico, South Africa and Uruguay in the annual battle for the coveted cup.

Team USA’s Grant Ganzi, MVP Julio Arellano, Nic Roldan and Marc Ganzi.

In last year’s USPA International Cup, Team USA (Marc Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Julio Arellano, Nic Roldan) defeated Uruguay, 6-3, to claim its fifth consecutive title. Arellano was named Most Valuable Player.

“It’s always awesome to represent the U.S.,” Arellano said. “That’s something we are all very proud of. You never want to let your country down. There were a lot of people on the sidelines rooting for us as a country rather than a certain team. It was a great honor.”

The USPA International Cup game will be part of a polo doubleheader, a holiday tradition that ends the biggest week of fall polo and season at Grand Champions Polo Club.

The opening game of the doubleheader is the Carlos Gracida Legends of Polo Memorial, continuing the Hall of Famer’s legacy by honoring one of the sport’s greats, who died tragically in February, 2014 at age 53.

MVP Julio Arellano of Team USA drives downfield.

The Legends game is 1 p.m. followed by the USPA International Cup at 3 p.m. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.

Proceeds from the doubleheader benefit The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the development, history and tradition of the sport of polo by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport.

Tickets, ranging from $20 to $1500, are on sale and various sponsorship packages are available. They are:

$1,500 VIP Sponsor: Includes one reserved table for eight in the VIP tent, corporate partner signage and parking.

$250 Grand Champions Tailgate Package: Includes a reserved tailgate spot with parking for one car, tent and one table with 4 chairs.

$200 VIP Pavilion Tickets: Includes one VIP admission ticket to the VIP tent with a field side view of the game. There is also an early bird VIP Pavilion package available at $150.

$20 General Admission. Field side parking not included.

Wall-to-wall cars, tents and people packed Grand Champions Polo Club.

For tickets, tailgates and sponsorships call 561-644-5050.

During fall, winter and spring seasons, Grand Champions Polo Club, the nation’s largest club with 11 well-manicured fields, hosts polo tournaments ranging from six to 26-goal in addition to special events.

Grand Champions Polo Cup attracted a record 72 teams during its 2017 winter season that featured the $100,000 World Cup, $50,000 National 12-Goal, 20-Goal Sterling Cup and 20-Goal Molina Cup, and another 18 teams during the spring season.

Polo pony ice sculptures in the soldout VIP tent.

The entire fall season is being live-streamed on Wellington-based ChukkerTV, leaders in polo broadcasting with cutting-edge technology. ChukkerTV also features team challenges and instant replay which made their debut at Grand Champions in January, 2014.