Coutts Polo at the Palace returns to Abu Dhabi @PoloAtThePalace

All the glamour and excitement set for 22-23 November

The stunning success of the inaugural Coutts Polo at the Palace will see a return of the showpiece event this November 22 - 23, organisers confirmed today.

City Events announced the newest addition to Abu Dhabi’s sports and events calendar is set for another glamorous show on the lawns of Emirates Palace, which last year welcomed sell-out crowds on an unforgettable sun-kissed weekend.

The two-day tournament will once again offer spectators a unique take on polo with special ‘Palace Rules’ developed to make it fast paced and a thrilling afternoon of entertainment.

“We were very proud of the success of the first event,” said City Events CEO, Rory Heron, who is behind the MINT Polo in the Park in London and has brought the spin-off event to Abu Dhabi. 

“The polo world really stood up and took notice of what we were doing and we are expecting an even greater level of interest not only locally but also internationally in this year’s event.  

“We had a tremendous amount of positive feedback from all those involved, from the spectators, to the sponsors through to the media and other stakeholders in Abu Dhabi, and we are now determined to make this an annual event on the calendar.”

Representing some of the world’s leading centres of finance and fashion, the four teams – team Abu Dhabi sponsored by Coutts, team London, sponsored by Faberge, team Milan sponsored by Maserati and team Buenos Aires – will once again compete for the Coutts Polo Cup over two days of adrenalin-fuelled action. 

The weekend blends fashion, retail and gastronomy with thrilling, high-octane polo within one of the world’s most beautiful settings – Emirates Palace.

A custom-built polo field, one third smaller than a regular polo field, will be built on the West Lawn of Emirates Palace to create a unique venue that will again host some of the sport’s top players.

Admission is restricted to 1,000 people per day to make sure every guest gets a fantastic, up-close view. The hospitality tickets, starting from AED1,750 per person per day, offer full catering throughout the day with access to either the shared VIP Hospitality, limited to 250 people, or one of five Private Chalets catering for up to 50 people. These are expected to sell out quickly, so organisers advise to book early to avoid disappointment.  A limited number of general admission tickets will be released by Time Out tickets on June 1. These will be priced at AED250 per person per day.  Book early to avoid missing out.

Event title sponsor Coutts, one of the world’s most prestigious private banks which was founded in the UK in 1692, saw real benefits from last year’s first-time event. 

Amir Sadr, Co-Head of Coutts Middle East, said: "We were delighted with the success of last year's inaugural event. The past twelve months have been an exciting period for Coutts in the Middle East as we continue to invest in our local business. Coutts Polo at the Palace reinforces our presence in the region and enables us to partner with some of the world’s most exclusive brands to offer our guests a memorable experience. “

Emirates Palace will once again become the iconic backdrop to Abu Dhabi’s most glamorous event, providing the perfect setting for the ‘sport of kings.’

Alexander Schneider, Hotel Manager of Emirates Palace said: “We are very much looking forward to the second edition of Coutts Polo at the Palace, which has already gained a tremendous reputation after its instant success last year. For Emirates Palace, this tournament is further emphasising the tradition of hosting world class events at our premises by providing an unrivalled backdrop with service to match. For 2013 we can already claim international interest and awareness which will surely make this year even more exclusive and memorable for both visitors and players alike.”

To book hospitality tickets for Coutts Polo at the Palace, contact Rachel Roullier at Rachel@cityevents.uk.com or visit www.citypoloseries.com. For sponsorship enquiries please contact Rory Heron, Rory@cityevents.uk.com.