2024
Philadelphia Polo Classic

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The Countdown To Saturday, September 21 Is On!
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About the Event

Join us on Saturday, September 21, at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia for the 3rd Annual Philadelphia Polo Classic.  The PPC expects to welcome over 4,000 guests to Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, attracting local and national audiences for a sensational event centered around two matches featuring Polo’s greatest champions. Proceeds from the PPC will benefit the Work to Ride program, housed at the Chamounix Equestrian Center in Fairmount Park.

Teams will be captained by Kareem Rosser, a former member of the Work to Ride program, captain of the first all-Black team to win the National Interscholastic Polo Championship, and author of award-winning memoir Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives. World-renowned polo dignitary and advocate of the Work to Ride program, Nacho Figueras, will serve as a co-captain alongside Rosser. Also featured will be Nic Roldan, the highest rated American polo player as well as Melissa and Grant Ganzi.

2022 Video Recap!
Tickets coming soon!

Philadelphia Polo Classic Ticket Sales

The decision to cancel this event has not been taken lightly, and we understand the disappointment this may cause. We share in that disappointment, as we are unable to gather with the community to celebrate our student’s dedication and success on and off the polo pitch, strengthen our mission to create accessibility in the equestrian world, and fundraise for Work to Ride.

We are happy to connect with you for future events, and extend this offer to next years Philadelphia Polo Classic! I am including our Director of Outreach and Afterschool Programming, Irene Lobron, who may be a great connection for you as well!

All sales are final – No Refunds!

General Admission – $35.00

Children under 2 are free.

General Admission (GA) ticket holders can access lawn or bleacher seating. Lawn seating, blankets, and low-back chairs. We recommend reasonably sized chairs – be a good neighbor! Bleachers will not have designated seat positions and will be first come, first served. GA tickets will grant access to general admission tents, food trucks, beer + wine garden, lawn games, and more. 

For groups 10+ please contact us directly at phillypoloclassic@worktoride.net for group pricing.

Chukker Party Tent – $150.00

Ticket holders receive access to the Chukker party tent for field-side viewing. Each ticket includes access to complimentary beer, wine, and light snacks to enjoy. Additional food & beverages will be available for purchase outside of the tent in general concession area. No reserved seating, cocktail style. Guests must be 21+.

Titos Lounge – $250.00

Ticket holders receive access to the Tito’s Lounge for field-side viewing. Each ticket includes access to a complimentary open bar featuring Tito’s specialty cocktails, beer, and wine, as well a robust menu of delicious food to enjoy. Additional food & beverages will be available for purchase outside of the tent in general concession area. No reserved seating, cocktail style. Guests must be 21+.

Polo Classic Lounge (4-ticket package) – $1,000.00

Classic Lounge ticket holders will have access to incredible views of the matches in a more intimate setting from their own private table with an umbrella and seating for four guests.  Included with each package, guests will receive a light lunch and a bottle of wine (for those 21+). Capacity is limited. Advance ticket purchase is required; no day-of tickets will be available. 

Individual VIP Experience  – $500.00

Individual VIP Experience ticket holders will be granted access to a private area within a premier viewing section. Each guest will have exclusive access to the luxury hospitality tent with complimentary elevated food & beverage offerings. Capacity is limited. Advance ticket purchase is required; no day-of tickets will be available.

VIP Experience Ticket Package (10 ticket package) – $5,000.00

Host your own private party or corporate event at the PPC! 

VIP Experience ticket holders will be granted access to a 10’ x 25’ private area within a premier viewing section, including a 10’x10’ tent and 10’x15’ front yard with seating up to 10. Each tent will have exclusive access to the luxury hospitality tent with complimentary elevated food & beverage offerings. Capacity is limited. Advance ticket purchase is required; no day-of tickets will be available.

Please note some areas are credentialed and require a special wristband for entry. 

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Can’t attend? You can still support Work to Ride!

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The St. James Philadelphia Polo Classic Canceled Due to Inclement Weather

The decision to cancel this event has not been taken lightly, and we understand the disappointment this may cause. We share in that disappointment, as we are unable to gather with the community to celebrate our student’s dedication and success on and off the polo pitch, strengthen our mission to create accessibility in the equestrian world, and fundraise for Work to Ride. We are happy to connect with you for future events, and extend this offer to next years Philadelphia Polo Classic! I am including our Director of Outreach and Afterschool Programming, Irene Lobron, who may be a great connection for you as well!

Our Sponsors

Thank you to all of our 2023 sponsors. We are excited to welcome new and returning sponsors this year!

Your support matters. It directly benefits the Work to Ride program, allowing us to continue operations so Philadelphia youth have access to their very own horse to care for and train.

Interested in sponsoring the 2024 Philadelphia Polo Classic? Please email phillypoloclassic@worktoride.net for more information.

We are ecstatic to bring polo back to Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, one of the many firsts by Work to Ride!

FAQs

Yes, this is a dog friendly event! Dogs must be leashed at all times. There will be dog friendly activities throughout the day.

There is no designated rain date for this event. The Parks and Recreation Special Events office reserves the right to cancel or delay any event in the case of severe weather conditions. The decision to cancel or delay an event is up to the discretion of the parks and recreation authorities. All ticket sales are final, no refunds.

For GA you are welcome to bring chairs and blankets for match viewing. No outside beverages, coolers, or food.

No, in order to preserve the viewing for all of our guests, tents and canopies are not allowed.

This is a family event. Many ladies wear sundresses and hats while the well-dressed men will be in khakis and polo shirts or even a tweed jacket and tie. Due to the uneven terrain, flat-soled shoes or boots are recommended. Make sure you bring sunscreen and/or rain gear. Whatever you do, dress for the weather!

The Philadelphia Polo Classic benefits the Work to Ride program.

You can purchase tickets: HERE!

The Philadelphia Polo Classic offers many activities throughout the day!

In coordination with the City of Philadelphia and for the safety of event attendees and staff, the following items are prohibited:

  • Weapons and contraband of any kind regardless of permitting, e.g. Right-to-Carry permits will not be honored, and entry will be denied.
  • Fireworks, firecrackers, or explosives (including sparklers)
  • Open flame of any kind
  • Illegal or illicit substances of any kind
  • Flyers, handbills, posters, stickers (no solicitation allowed)
  • Unauthorized commerce
  • Items that would obstruct others’ view (large signs, banners, etc.)
  • Drones and any other unmanned and remote-controlled devices
  • Skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, segways, hoverboards, and similar items (not allowed in the event location)
  • Glass Containers
  • Laser pointers
  • Selfie Sticks
  • Any other item or action deemed dangerous or inappropriate by production or security management 

Street parking is available throughout Fairmount Park – it is first come, first served! We recommend ride share and public transportation to the Philadelphia Polo Classic!

NOTICE: **DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN VEHICLE**

The Philadelphia Polo Classic and Work to Ride are not responsible for damage or theft to vehicle or contents. We recommend leaving all valuables at home. Please keep personal belongings out of view and away from your vehicle dashboard.

The Philadelphia Polo Classic offers food vendors and a merchandise tent with unique shopping opportunities for everyone.

2023 Philadelphia Polo Classic Poster Contest

Congratulations to the 2023 Philadelphia Polo Classic Poster Contest winning piece, “Number 3” by Athena Scott! 

Athena Scott is an interdisciplinary artist from Philadelphia. She holds a Bachelor of Science from The Art Institute of Philadelphia and MFA from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Athena writes in her artist statement, “My inspiration comes from the threads that connect us all, the memories and nostalgia that shape our lives, and the history that we carry within ourselves.” Her artwork truly captured the essence of the Philadelphia Polo Classic, and we couldn’t be more delighted to have it represent this year’s event.

Thank you to every one of you who participated in the contest. Your submissions showcased immense talent and creativity, making the judging process an incredibly tough decision.

This exclusive poster featuring Athena Scott’s winning artwork will be available for purchase in the Merchandise tent. Forget to buy a poster last year? A limited supply of 2022 PPC posters featuring ‘Philly Polo’ by Leah McDonald will also be available for sale.

Can’t attend? You can still support Work to Ride!

Learn More

Who Benefits?

The Philadelphia Polo Classic benefits Work to Ride Programming. Work to Ride is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports, and education to under-resourced youth from Philadelphia.

The program is housed at Chamounix Equestrian Center, located in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. In addition to the Work to Ride program, Chamounix Equestrian Center engages the community at large through various equestrian programs; including horseback riding lessons, summer camp, discovery days and polo program. For information about Work to Ride, or to make a donation, go to www.worktoride.net.

New to Polo? Here’s How the Game is Played

The goal is to move the white ball downfield by striking it with a mallet, scoring a goal by knocking it through goalposts.

Polo ponies are actually horses, usually Thoroughbreds.

Teams have four members, both men and women. The Philadelphia Polo Classic will be played with three players on each side due to field size.
Players jerseys indicate the position they play. The player wearing #1 is the forward, and most likely to be taking shots on the goal. The #4 player is a largely defensive player. In between it all, #2 and #3 tend to control all the action, so you may see the #2 player race up the field, expecting a passing shot from the #3 player. That #3 player is strong on both offense and defense, acting as team captain and determining the strategy.
Players can only hit the ball from a right-handed position.
Once a ball is struck, the “line of the ball” (the trajectory from where it was struck to where it is going), becomes a right of way for the player who has the ball on his or her right. Interfering with that right of way will incur a penalty.
There are no time-outs except for injuries or penalties.
There are six periods of play known as “chukkers.” Each chukker is seven minutes long, after which the players change horses. There’s a 15-minute halftime when spectators go out onto the field to stomp divots back into place.