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Nestled in the Engadin Valley, this 41st edition transforms the serene frozen lake into a dramatic arena for six international teams, featuring stars like David Stirling and Nico Pieres. The atmosphere evokes timeless Swiss winter charm, crisp air, snow-capped peaks, and refined gatherings. For aesthetes and collectors, it's a canvas of beauty and heritage, with polo's artistry on display.
Since its inception in 1985 as the world's first snow polo tournament, the Snow Polo World Cup has reigned supreme each January in St. Moritz, evolving into the only high-goal competition played on snow. Organized by Evviva Polo St. Moritz Ltd., this 41st edition from January 23-25, 2026, honors a tradition that fuses equestrian grace with alpine rigor. The event's historical significance lies in its pioneering spirit, polo ponies adapted to snow, mallets slicing through frosty air, creating a spectacle that reinforces St. Moritz's status as the cradle of winter luxury sports. For cultural insiders, it's a nod to the Engadin's heritage, where polo joins skiing and bobsledding in a tapestry of refined pursuits, drawing parallels to the region's Olympic legacy.
At the heart of the tournament is a frozen field measuring 200 x 100 meters, meticulously prepared amid sub-zero temperatures for seamless play. Six high-goal teams, each with handicaps reflecting their prowess, vie for glory in a format that begins with opening matches on Friday: Flexjet vs. MACKAGE, St. Moritz vs. Azerbaijan – Land of Fire, and Standing Rock vs. Investec. Winners advance to semi-finals on Saturday, culminating in Sunday's final. Star players like Uruguay's David "Pelon" Stirling, Argentina's Nico Pieres, and Alfredo Bigatti bring strategic brilliance and international flair, while local favorite Tito Gaudenzi embodies the Engadin spirit. The competition's intensity is amplified by the venue's challenges, unpredictable ice and high altitude, making every chukker a test of skill and endurance.
For affluent travelers, the event transcends sport, offering a symphony of exclusivity. The VIP tent accommodates 900 guests with Perrier-Jouët champagne, Beluga vodka, and gourmet fare from partners like GAMMACATERING and Oona Caviar. Sold-out galas at Badrutt's Palace Hotel feature black-tie elegance, while the Perrier-Jouët Chukker Club provides prime viewing. Official hotels, Kulm, Suvretta House, Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski, ensure seamless luxury, with guest resorts like Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi adding global allure. Collectors might seek polo memorabilia or fine timepieces from exhibitors like Jaeger-LeCoultre, while aesthetes revel in the "Schlitteda" horse-drawn sleigh parade on Saturday.
Sartorial sophistication shines through U.S. Polo Assn.'s debut as official apparel partner. The event's economic ripple, generating CHF 25 million, sustains local craftsmanship and hospitality, making it a wise investment for high-society networking.
The ambience is one of serene opulence: grandstands rising from the ice, towers silhouetted against the Engadin sky, and 220 tonnes of infrastructure creating a temporary wonderland. Amid the crisp serenity, sophistication unfolds, conversations over prosecco from Villa Sandi, cigars from Mitscho's, and views that inspire introspection. For cultural insiders, it's a convergence of worlds: polo's aristocratic roots meeting Switzerland's understated luxury, evoking a sense of timeless escape.
In embracing the Snow Polo World Cup, one immerses in the broader ethos of luxury winter living in Switzerland, a realm of refined pursuits where nature's grandeur meets human ingenuity.
© All imagery courtesy of Snow Polo World Cup, fotoSwiss.com/cattaneo
