AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 17 January 2025:
The highly anticipated 2025 Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo begins today, with excitement building for what promises to be a memorable weekend of world-class polo in a remarkable location.
Taking place on Friday and Saturday at AlFursan Equestrian Village, the world’s first organized desert polo tournament will bring together six elite teams, all comprising some of the best polo players on the planet, distinguished Royal Dignitaries, and accomplished international patrons.
Organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Polo Federation, the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo will celebrate Saudi Arabia’s deep ties to equestrianism and showcase the region’s rich history and spectacular natural scenery.
Ziad Alsuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer, RCU, said at the press conference: “Polo finds a natural home in AlUla. With its breathtaking terrain and deep-rooted equestrian traditions, AlUla is an ideal stage for showcasing the elegance and skill of this magnificent sport.
“Through partnerships with organisations like the Saudi Polo Federation and leading global entities, we aim to establish AlUla as a hub for elite sports. This involves not only hosting events but also investing in infrastructure, training, and grassroots development.”
Faisal Bin Dowees, CEO, Saudi Arabian Polo Federation, said: “This event is an important moment in the international sporting calendar, and we are proud to see Saudi Arabia taking centre stage with such a prestigious platform.
“The success so far highlights the rich equestrian heritage of our nation and the deep connection we have with this noble sport and its enduring legacy. AlUla Desert Polo is a celebration of the legacy, bringing together the world‘s finest polo players and teams to showcase the sport and the unmatched beauty of this extraordinary city.”
This year’s competition will feature six teams striving to win the prestigious Desert Polo trophy. The teams have been split into two Zones, which will be played in a Round Robin format. The teams are as follows:
• AlUla: Adolfo Cambiaso, Abdulmohsen Alkohair, Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi
• Dadan: Mia Cambiaso, HRH Prince Abbas bin Ali, Miguel Morel
• Budget: Milly Hine, Earl of Medina Harry Louis David Mountbatten, Phillip Muller
• Bentley: Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso Jr, HRH Sultan bin Khaled Al Faisal, Sarah Siegel-Magness
• Ikmah: Nacho Figueras, HRH Prince Hamza bin Abbas, Ploy Bhinsaeng
• Richard Mille: Pablo MacDonough, Marchioness of Milford Haven Clare Mountbatten, Mohammed ElSesedy
The tournament will begin on Friday with the Round Robin matches, with Zone A (AlUla, Dadan, and Ikmah) taking to the field first from 1.30pm local time. Zone B (Bentley, Budget, Richard Mille) will conclude the opening day, starting at 4.45pm.
Saturday will host the Cup Finals, beginning with the Wooden Spoon Cup Final at 12.30pm between the two teams who placed third in each Zone. The Subsidiary Cup Final at 2.15pm will be played by the two runners-up in Zones A and B, before the Richard Mille Cup Final at 4pm between the two Zone winners will decide the tournament champions.
In addition to the world-class polo action, guests at the tournament can explore the Fan Village, where activities, cultural exhibits, retail stores, and live music provide entertainment for the entire family.
Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo has established itself as one of Saudi Arabia’s premier sporting and cultural highlights, and the fourth staging of the event promises to enhance that reputation.
Peter Harrison, CEO of EMEA Richard Mille, said: “Since 2022, we have been proud partners of AlUla Desert Polo. Our continued partnership reflects our dedication to cultural and sporting initiatives that embody precision, innovation, and elegance.
“This collaboration also reinforces our commitment to supporting the vision of AlUla as a global hub for extraordinary sporting experiences.”
Rami Almoallim, VP – Destination Marketing & Management Office, RCU, said: “The Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo is a crown jewel in our AlUla Moments calendar, which features a diverse array of events designed to inspire and entertain visitors year-round.
“By making events like this accessible and enjoyable to both local and regional audiences, we aim to nurture a love for equestrianism among the people of Saudi Arabia, the region and the globe.”
Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo is part of the AlUla Moments calendar 2024/25, a year-round series of events and festivals that promote the culture, heritage, and natural beauty of AlUla through sports, entertainment, and exploitation. Other notable events on the AlUla Moments calendar include Winter at Tantora, the AlUla Tour professional cycling race, AlUla Trail Race, and AlFursan Endurance AlUla.
For more information, please visit experiencealula.com.
