AlUla Desert Polo 2026 Schedule And Teams Announced For Fifth Edition

AlUla Desert Polo is set to return for its 5th edition from January 16-17, 2026, turning the historic AlUla landscape into a stage for international polo. The event, organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla, will unfold at Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village and will again place Saudi Arabia on the global equestrian calendar.

The 2026 edition features six teams and 18 players, delivering nine matches across two competition days within a three-day programme. International professionals, royal participants and local players will share the field, presenting a mix of elite competition and regional talent designed to appeal to both specialist followers and general sports fans.

A strong professional roster is confirmed for AlUla Desert Polo, with David "Pelón" Stirling Jr., Pablo MacDonough, Ignacio Figueras, Lia Salvo, Catalina Maria Lavinia and Felix Alejo Ortiz de Taranco Stirling among those scheduled to compete. Royalties and local players will line up beside these established figures, underlining the combination of international expertise and regional involvement.

Team patrons play an important role in shaping the competition at AlUla Desert Polo 2026. The list of patrons includes Alejandro Antonio Poma Raskosky, Babar Naseem, Naveen Jindal, Venkatesh Jindal, Angus David St John Paradice and Jennifer Rae Luttrell Benardoni. Their participation supports team formation, event profile and links with the wider polo community.

Chief Sports Officer at Royal Commission for AlUla Ziad AlSuhaibani 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."

The Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village provides the backdrop for the matches, with the arena framed by AlUla’s desert scenery. Organisers state that the event not only focuses on competitive polo but also reflects AlUla’s equestrian traditions, presenting the sport alongside hospitality and entertainment elements within a structured three-day schedule that begins with a team presentation.

AlUla Desert Polo hospitality and wider sports calendar

Spectators seeking closer access to AlUla Desert Polo can select the Polo Players Circle add-on, which builds on Premium Pass benefits. This option includes guided access to the field before or after matches, opportunities to meet players, take photographs and receive dedicated event souvenirs, targeting visitors who want a more immersive experience.

Since its launch in 2020, AlUla Desert Polo has become a regular feature in the AlUla Moments calendar, the year-round programme of events in the region. The wider sports schedule brings together cycling, endurance, running and equestrian activities, helping position AlUla as a consistent host destination for major regional and international competitions.

Several other sports events are scheduled around AlUla Desert Polo within the AlUla Moments calendar. Key dates confirmed for early 2026 include professional cycling, trail running and endurance horse racing, as shown below.

As AlUla Desert Polo marks its 5th edition in January 2026, the tournament continues to highlight AlUla’s equestrian heritage, international sporting links and tourism ambitions. With a blend of leading professionals, patrons, royals and local players, the event is set to deliver competitive polo and structured hospitality within a historic Saudi setting.

With inputs from SPA