The 132nd Argentine Open Polo Championship, presented by Visa and sponsored by Banco Galicia, will take place from Saturday, November 1 to Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the iconic Campo Argentino de Polo, located in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires. Organized by the Argentine Polo Association (AAP), this tournament represents the pinnacle of global polo competition and serves as the crowning jewel of Argentina’s Triple Crown, together with the Tortugas Open and the Hurlingham Open.
The Palermo Open is not only the oldest and most prestigious polo championship in the world, but also one of the most exclusive sporting and social events in Argentina. It attracts top-level athletes, sponsors, and enthusiasts from around the globe, offering an atmosphere that combines luxury, heritage, and athletic excellence.
The 2025 edition brings together ten teams featuring the most skilled players in the sport, including several who hold the maximum handicap of 10 goals. These teams are divided into two zones of five, competing through a round-robin format before advancing to the semifinals and the grand final in early December.
Teams and Official Handicaps
The lineup for 2025 confirms the presence of traditional powerhouses and new challengers, ensuring a season of intense matches and elite competition.
Zone A
• La Natividad – La Dolfina:
Adolfo Cambiaso (H) – 10, Camilo Castagnola – 10, Bartolomé Castagnola (h) – 10, Adolfo Cambiaso (N) – 10
Total Handicap: 40 goals.
Comment: A historical combination uniting two dynasties of polo, merging experience and youthful brilliance.
• UAE Polo:
Pablo Pieres – 9, Lucas Monteverde (N) – 9, Tomás Panelo – 9, Juan Martín Nero – 10
Total Handicap: 37 goals.
Comment: The UAE organization continues its strong presence in Argentine polo, with a balanced mix of technique and horsepower.
• Los Machitos – El Refugio:
Victorino Ruiz Jorba – 8, Alfredo Bigatti – 8, Diego Cavanagh – 8, Teodoro Lacau – 8
Total Handicap: 32 goals.
Comment: A solid and experienced lineup capable of upsets against higher-handicap opponents.
• Sol de Agosto:
Facundo Sola – 8, Benjamín Panelo – 8, Juan Martín Zubía – 9, Paco de Narváez – 7
Total Handicap: 32 goals.
Comment: A young and aggressive team known for open play and speed.
• La Zeta Kazak (Qualifying Team):
Louis Hine – 6, Lorenzo Chavanne – 7, David Stirling – 9, Nicolás Pieres – 8
Total Handicap: 30 goals.
Comment: One of the two teams that secured entry through the qualification tournament, blending international and Argentine talent.
Zone B
• La Irenita – La Hache:
Francisco Elizalde – 9, Hilario Ulloa – 9, Pablo Mac Donough – 10, Ignatius du Plessis – 9
Total Handicap: 37 goals.
Comment: Consistent contenders with multiple titles in recent seasons, combining precision, strategy, and leadership.
• Ellerstina – Indios Chapaleufú:
Facundo Pieres – 10, Gonzalo Pieres (h) – 9, Cruz Heguy – 9, Antonio Heguy – 8
Total Handicap: 36 goals.
Comment: A historic alliance between two legendary polo families that embodies the sport’s Argentine legacy.
• La Ensenada:
Rufino Bensadón – 8, Juan Britos (h) – 8, Guillermo Caset (h) – 9, Jerónimo Del Carril – 9
Total Handicap: 34 goals.
Comment: A youthful yet experienced team that has consistently performed at the highest level.
• La Hache Cría & Polo:
Bautista Bayugar – 8, Carlos M. Ulloa – 8, Joaquín Pittaluga – 8, Ignacio Laprida – 8
Total Handicap: 32 goals.
Comment: Competitive and aggressive, this team is known for teamwork and field discipline.
• La Dolfina II (Qualifying Team):
Lucas Criado (h) – 7, Gonzalo Ferrari – 8, Mariano González (h) – 8, Isidro Strada – 8
Total Handicap: 31 goals.
Comment: The second La Dolfina lineup, providing young talent and continuity to the club’s renowned name.
Official Match Schedule – Palermo 2025
Saturday, November 1 – Zone A | Round 1
• 2:00 PM (Field 2): UAE Polo vs. La Zeta Kazak
• 4:30 PM (Field 1): Los Machitos El Refugio vs. Sol de Agosto
Sunday, November 2 – Zone B | Round 2
• 2:00 PM (Field 1): La Ensenada Clonargen vs. La Hache Cría & Polo
• 4:30 PM (Field 2): Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú vs. La Dolfina II
Monday, November 3 – Zone B (continued)
• 4:30 PM (Field 1): Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú vs. La Dolfina II
Saturday, November 8 – Zone A | Round 3
• 2:00 PM (Field 2): La Natividad La Dolfina vs. La Zeta Kazak
• 4:30 PM (Field 1): UAE Polo vs. Winner of Match P1
Sunday, November 9 – Zone B | Round 4
• 2:00 PM (Field 2): La Irenita La Hache vs. La Dolfina II
• 4:30 PM (Field 1): Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú vs. Winner of Match P1
Saturday, November 15 – Zone A | Round 5
• 2:00 PM (Field 2): Winner P1 vs. La Zeta Kazak
• 4:30 PM (Field 1): La Natividad La Dolfina vs. Loser P1
Sunday, November 16 – Zone B | Round 6
• 2:00 PM (Field 2): Winner P1 vs. La Dolfina II
• 4:30 PM (Field 1): La Irenita La Hache Clinova vs. Loser P1
(Field 1 = Main Ground, Field 2 = Auxiliary Ground, Palermo. Admission is free for all preliminary rounds.)
The semifinals will take place during the last week of November, and the Grand Final is set for Saturday, December 6, 2025, traditionally attracting over 20,000 spectators and broadcast to more than 80 countries.
Tournament Significance and Prestige
The Argentine Open is universally recognized as the most prestigious and challenging polo tournament in the world. All matches are played at 10-goal handicap level, the highest in professional polo, and only the elite of the elite are eligible to compete.
The Campo Argentino de Polo, often called the “Cathedral of Polo,” is not just a sports venue but a national icon. It has hosted the world’s best players since 1928 and is located in the heart of Buenos Aires, just steps from the city’s main cultural and commercial districts.
The 2025 edition is expected to maintain the tradition of high competitiveness, sportsmanship, and spectacle that defines the Argentine Open. Beyond the sporting aspect, Palermo serves as a major social and cultural event, attended by international celebrities, diplomats, business leaders, and royalty. It symbolizes the fusion of Argentina’s equestrian heritage with modern elegance.
Key Highlights
• Duration: November 1 – December 6, 2025
• Venue: Campo Argentino de Polo, Palermo, Buenos Aires
• Teams: 10 (8 seeded + 2 qualified)
• Handicap Range: 30 to 40 goals
• Organized by: Argentine Polo Association (AAP)
• Sponsors: Visa, Banco Galicia, La Nación, and others
• Entry: Free admission to early rounds; ticketed for semifinals and final
The 132nd Argentine Open Polo Championship will showcase the best of global polo, blending heritage, passion, and excellence. Teams like La Natividad – La Dolfina and Ellerstina – Indios Chapaleufú reaffirm Argentina’s dominance in the sport, while emerging formations such as La Zeta Kazak and La Dolfina II bring fresh competitiveness.
With world-class horses, elite riders, and a calendar that stretches over five weeks, the Palermo Open continues to stand as the ultimate expression of polo worldwide, both as a sporting event and as a symbol of Argentine identity.