Dubai Winter Season 2026: Record Fields and a New Stadium Vision

The Dubai winter polo season has wrapped with record participation across the emirate's three principal clubs — Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, and the expanding Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club — and a bold announcement of a world-class polo stadium development.\n\nThis season saw 22 nationalities represented in Dubai's competitive fixtures, the highest international figure in the circuit's history. The growth is driven partly by Dubai's expanding expat community and partly by the emirate's targeted polo tourism strategy, which has seen direct partnerships forged with polo clubs in Argentina, the UK, and New Zealand to facilitate player exchange programmes.\n\nThe flagship event of the season — the Dubai Gold Cup — was won by Team Habtoor Blue, captained by Ignacio Toccalino and featuring British internationals Ollie Cudmore and James Beim. The competition across all three rounds was described by several professionals as the most competitive Gulf polo has produced.\n\nThe major structural news from Dubai is the announcement by the Dubai Sports Council of a dedicated polo stadium development, planned for a site adjacent to Al Quoz, with a target capacity of 5,000 permanent seats, VIP hospitality suites, a polo school integrated within the facility, and permanent underground stabling for up to 200 horses. Construction is slated to begin in Q3 2027, pending environmental approvals.\n\n"Dubai is positioning itself as a global polo destination, not just a winter option," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Polo Club chairman. "This stadium will be one of the most advanced polo facilities anywhere in the world." The development is expected to cost approximately AED 480 million.