The short answer: Newport Polo is where I'd take friends who have never seen polo. The club plays the Newport International Polo Series at Glen Farm in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, minutes from the Newport waterfront, on Saturdays in summer. When I went, a few thousand people were there, with great sound, a jumbotron, a good announcer, food trucks, flags, and fans cheering for individual players.
These notes come from my 2021 and 2022 tour, when I tried to visit every polo club in America as a playing USPA member. Seasons, contacts, and prices change, so check each club's Instagram or the U.S. Polo Association before you go.
Newport Polo at a glance
Where: Glen Farm, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, minutes from downtown Newport.
When: Saturdays, June through September, based on the club's 2022 schedule (What'sUpNewp).
The format: The International Polo Series, where a USA team plays visiting teams from other countries.
History: Newport Polo traces its roots to the polo club founded in Newport in 1876, which it calls America's first.
Tickets: Sold online through the club.
What it's like
A few thousand people, great sound, a jumbotron, a good announcer, food trucks, flags everywhere, and people cheering for individual players by name.
Traditions worth staying for
The Fan Salute. A victory lap by the teams past the crowd, a tradition since 2003.
Best in Show. A contest for fans dressed to the theme of the day.
The tailgate. Yankee Magazine named it the best tailgating in New England.
Why it works
Newport sells the whole day: the sound, the screen, a good announcer, and a reason to cheer. A first-time spectator doesn't need to know the rules to have a great time. That's what American polo needs more of if it wants new fans, and it's a big part of what I wrote in how to market a polo club.
Tips for visiting
Buy tickets ahead and check the schedule. Times can shift later in the season.
Learn three rules on the drive. Start with polo rules explained.
Dress for a summer lawn. See what to wear to a polo match.
Make it a weekend. Newport is minutes away.
For the rest of the region, see my guide to polo clubs in the Northeast, including Tinicum Park, another great place to watch.
Polo, wherever you are. That's PoloFlow, the app I'm building to make polo easy to find, whether you're playing or watching. Join the waitlist.
