The premier desert polo tournament blends luxury, fashion, culture and heritage for a must-visit experience in the heart of AlUla
Elite polo players set to participate showcasing AlUla’s global appeal to the world’s leading equestrian stars
Tickets are on sale and available here
AlUla : The prestigious AlUla Desert Polo, organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla, returns for its 5th edition next week, transforming the historic landscape into a premier destination for world-class equestrian sport. Taking place from 16-17 January 2026, the event features a star-studded lineup of international professionals, royal players, and team patrons.
The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment, starting with the team presentation on 15 January. Across two days of competition, 6 teams will contest a total of nine matches, showcasing high-level sport in the stunning setting of Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village.
On Day 1, six games set to take place followed by three matches on Day 2, culminating in the Grand Final and the awarding ceremony where the 2026 champions will be announced.
AlUla Desert Polo is a flagship event that highlights the region’s deep-rooted equestrian heritage while delivering a globally appealing, sophisticated sporting experience.
A total of six teams and 18 players will compete in the event, including professionals David “Pelón” Stirling Jr., Pablo MacDonough, Ignacio Figueras, Lia Salvo, Catalina Maria Lavinia, Felix Alejo Ortiz de Taranco Stirling.
Joining the professionals on the pitch, royals, local players set to compete include HRH Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Salman Al Saud.
Lending their support and expertise to the event, team patrons for AlUla Desert Polo 2026 include Alejandro Antonio Poma Raskosky, Babar Naseem, Naveen Jindal, Venkatesh Jindal, Angus David St John Paradice, and Jennifer Rae Luttrell Benardoni.
Ziad AlSuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer at Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “AlUla Desert Polo has quickly become an iconic event that encapsulates elegance, elite sport, culture and fashion, to offer an experience unlike anything else. This event embodies AlUla’s incredible ability to offer visitors luxury, elegance, culture and heritage through immersive and unforgettable experiences, and has once again attracted some of the world’s best talent to compete in an iconic setting for three days of unforgettable sport.”
Tickets are now on sale, with single-day passes starting at SAR 380, while a two-day pass is available for SAR 570 when purchased through the app.
For those seeking an enhanced experience, the Polo Players Circle add-on offers all Premium Pass benefits along with guided access to the field before or after matches. Guests will have the opportunity to meet players, take photos, and receive exclusive event souvenirs
Since debuting in 2020, AlUla Desert Polo has grown into an annual highlight of the AlUla Moments calendar – the year-round schedule of events and festivals celebrating sports, culture, arts, discovery, and heritage in AlUla. Other upcoming sports events on the calendar include the professional cycling AlUla Tour (27 Jan-31 Jan) , the AlUla Trail Race (22-23 Jan 2026), and AlFursan Endurance AlUla (7-8 Feb 2026) – one of the most prestigious events in endurance horse racing.
