University Polo Programs
Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Cornell, and beyond — discover the world's university polo clubs, how to join them, and what the intercollegiate competition landscape looks like in 2025.
UK University Polo
British university polo has a history stretching back to the Victorian era. Oxford and Cambridge have the oldest and most prestigious clubs, but strong programmes exist at universities across England and Scotland.
University of Oxford
Club Name
Oxford University Polo Club
Competition Level
High — historically very competitive
Tournaments
Varsity Polo Match vs Cambridge (annual)
Tryouts & Entry
Open to all students. No prior polo experience required at entry level. Beginners taught on club ponies.
Highlights
One of the oldest university polo clubs in the world. Regular participation in British Universities Polo Championship.
University of Cambridge
Club Name
Cambridge University Polo Club
Competition Level
High — strong rivalry with Oxford
Tournaments
Cambridge vs Oxford Varsity Match, British Universities Polo Championship
Tryouts & Entry
Open to all students regardless of ability. Beginner programmes run each term.
Highlights
The annual Varsity Match against Oxford is one of the oldest university sporting rivalries in the UK.
University of Edinburgh
Club Name
Edinburgh University Polo Club
Competition Level
Mid — growing competitive team
Tournaments
British Universities Polo Championship, Scottish Club matches
Tryouts & Entry
Open to beginners and experienced riders. Scotland's strongest university polo programme.
Highlights
Scotland's premier university polo club. Strong links with Scottish polo clubs for practice sessions.
SRUC (Scotland's Rural College)
Club Name
SRUC Equestrian & Polo Society
Competition Level
Developing — strong equestrian base
Tournaments
British Universities Polo Championship (developing)
Tryouts & Entry
Agriculture and equestrian students particularly encouraged. Riding ability preferred but not required.
Highlights
Strong equestrian college with emerging polo programme. Excellent facilities and horse access.
US University Polo
The United States has the world's largest collegiate polo ecosystem, with over 100 clubs competing in USPA Intercollegiate tournaments across multiple regions each season.
Yale University
Tryouts: Open to all students. Yale Polo provides school horses. No prior polo experience needed.
Competitions: USPA Intercollegiate, Ivy League competitions, NCEPA championships
One of the oldest and most prestigious collegiate polo programmes in the US. Strong alumni network in the sport.
Cornell University
Tryouts: Open to students of all abilities. School horses available for beginners.
Competitions: USPA Intercollegiate, Ivy League Polo League
Strong programme with experienced coaching staff. Regular match calendar including Ivy League rivalry games.
University of Virginia
Tryouts: Club tryouts each semester. Beginners welcome with instruction available.
Competitions: USPA Intercollegiate, ACC tournaments, national qualifiers
One of the most competitive polo programmes in the American South. Facilities include an on-campus polo field.
Skidmore College
Tryouts: Open entry. Saratoga Springs polo scene provides excellent local resources.
Competitions: USPA Intercollegiate, Northeast tournaments
Benefit of the elite Saratoga polo scene on the doorstep. Good coaching access and match opportunities.
Texas A&M University
Tryouts: Large active membership. Beginners and experienced players both welcomed. School horses available.
Competitions: USPA Intercollegiate, Southern circuit, national championships
One of the biggest collegiate polo programmes by membership. Strong Texas polo tradition and excellent outdoor facilities.
Colorado State University
Tryouts: Open to all students. Equestrian programme feeds into polo club.
Competitions: USPA Intercollegiate, Western circuit
Strong equestrian tradition and growing polo programme. Good ranch and farm access for pony training.
International University Polo
University polo exists beyond the UK and US, with growing programmes in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina.
Australia
Key Universities: University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland
Governing Body: Australian University Games polo events, state polo associations
Growing collegiate polo scene aligned with the Australian polo season (September to April).
New Zealand
Key Universities: Massey University (equestrian focus), University of Auckland
Governing Body: Polo New Zealand affiliated events
Massey University's equestrian programme is the strongest pathway to university polo in NZ.
South Africa
Key Universities: University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University
Governing Body: South African Polo Association
Growing university polo market. Strong equestrian cultures at Pretoria and Stellenbosch.
Argentina
Key Universities: Universidad de Palermo, UBA (Buenos Aires)
Governing Body: AAP junior and developmental leagues
Argentine university polo is embedded in the AAP junior development structure rather than separate collegiate leagues.
Intercollegiate Tournaments
The competitive calendar for university polo — from the Varsity Match to the USPA national championships.
USPA Intercollegiate Polo Championship
Format: Regional qualifiers leading to national finals. Arena and outdoor polo categories.
Eligibility: Full-time enrolled students at accredited US universities and colleges.
Oxford vs Cambridge Varsity Polo Match
Format: Single match, alternating home venue. One of the oldest sporting rivalries in the UK.
Eligibility: Current Oxford or Cambridge students who have passed trials.
British Universities Polo Championship
Format: Regional heats with national finals at a top UK club. All HPA-affiliated universities.
Eligibility: Full-time university students at UK institutions with registered clubs.
NCEPA National Tournament
Format: National Collegiate Equestrian Association polo division — arena format primarily.
Eligibility: NCAA and NCEPA-affiliated university students.
Scholarships & Funding
Dedicated polo scholarships are rare but financial support is available through several routes:
- USPA Foundation: Annual grants and bursaries for junior and student polo players in the US.
- HPA Grants: The HPA offers discretionary support for promising players and club development projects in the UK.
- University Athletic Awards: Some US universities offer equestrian athletic scholarships applicable to polo.
- Patron Sponsorship: Many collegiate players attract patron support through the polo community network.
Pathway to Professional Polo
University polo is a genuine springboard into the professional and high-amateur game. The typical progression for a talented university player:
- 1Join university club at beginner or intermediate level
- 2Compete in intercollegiate tournaments, building match experience
- 3Develop to 1–3 goal during student years
- 4Join a regional club and register with the national association
- 5Attract patron attention through tournament performance
- 6Access medium-goal opportunities as a professional or high amateur
University Polo FAQs
Common questions about collegiate polo programmes worldwide
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