26 January 2026 – Dubai, UAE: The official match schedule for the Gold Cup Dubai Open 2026 was unveiled during the annual press conference and live draw held at Al Habtoor Polo Resort Hotel. The event welcomed team representatives, sponsors, and members of the media, officially setting the stage for one of the region’s most prestigious polo tournaments.
Taking place from 30 January to 14 February 2026, the Dubai Open will be contested at a 20-goal handicap, bringing together six elite teams competing for the coveted championship title. The tournament promises a world-class display of international talent, tactical mastery, and high-intensity competition.
As the flagship event of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series (DPGCS), the Gold Cup enjoys significant international standing and is officially recognized by the World Polo Tour (WPT). Classified within the WPT Championship Cup circuit, the tournament offers some of the highest-ranking points on the global polo calendar, further cementing its appeal to top-tier players and teams worldwide.
Operating under the umbrella of the UAE Polo Federation, the DPGCS adheres strictly to the regulations of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA). All matches are officiated by certified HPA umpires, ensuring the highest standards of fairness and professionalism. Beyond competition, the Gold Cup continues to represent sporting excellence, heritage, and Dubai’s growing influence on the international polo stage.
Commenting on the tournament’s continued success, Saeed Bin Drai, Vice Chairman of the UAE Polo Federation, praised the role of the host venue and its partners, stating: “On behalf of the UAE Polo Federation, I extend my sincere appreciation to Al Habtoor Polo Resort for its outstanding facilities and exceptional hospitality in hosting the Dubai Polo Gold Cup, now proudly in its 17th year. The tournament’s continued growth in sporting excellence and international spectatorship reflects the strength and momentum of polo in the UAE.”
He added: “We are proud to be part of this journey and to witness the event’s expanding global recognition. Our gratitude extends to the patrons, sponsors—particularly Bentley Emirates and Diamondlease—and all supporting partners whose commitment is integral to the development of the sport in the UAE.”
The 2026 Dubai Open is proudly supported by an exceptional lineup of partners. Bentley Emirates returns as Main Sponsor, with Diamondlease joining as Co-Sponsor. The internationally renowned U.S. Polo Assn. serves as Official Apparel and Jersey Sponsor, reinforcing the tournament’s classic sporting identity for the 3rd consecutive year.
Highlighting Bentley’s continued involvement, Joseph Tayar, Prestige Division Director at Bentley Emirates, commented: “The Dubai Polo Gold Cup reflects the same values that define the Bentley brand—tradition, precision, and excellence. Following a successful 2025 for Bentley Emirates, we are proud to share what’s next, including the arrival of the new Bentayga Speed, the upcoming Flying Spur facelift deliveries later this year, and the GT Supersport, which was launched in Dubai last week and is limited to just 500 units worldwide, with deliveries beginning in 2027.”
Lukas Tremmel, General Manager of Al Habtoor Polo Resort, said:
“It is a pleasure to officially begin the journey toward the Gold Cup 2026 – Dubai Open. Over the past 17 years, the Dubai Open has grown into a globally respected tournament, earning its place on the World Polo Tour Championship circuit and reflecting Dubai’s long-standing commitment to excellence in international polo. Each season, the event brings together elite players, valued partners, and international media, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a premier destination for world-class sporting events. We look forward to an exceptional season ahead.”
Extensive coverage of the tournament will be delivered through official media partners Pololine TV, Al Badia, Lovin Dubai, Prensa Polo, and Expat Woman, ensuring wide regional and international exposure.
The press conference featured a distinguished panel including Eisa Sharif, Director of Sports Events at Dubai Sports Council; Saeed Bin Drai, Vice Chairman of the UAE Polo Federation; Lukas Tremmel, General Manager of Al Habtoor Polo Resort; Joseph Tayar, Director of Bentley Emirates; and Santiago Torreguitarra, Tournament Director of the UAE Polo Federation.
Taking place from 30 January to 14 February 2026, the Dubai Open will feature a 20-goal handicap, bringing together six top-tier teams competing for the coveted championship title. The tournament promises a high-calibre showcase of international talent, tactical excellence, and competitive spirit.
As the flagship tournament of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series (DPGCS), the Gold Cup holds prominent international standing and is officially recognized by the World Polo Tour (WPT). Classified within the WPT Championship Cup circuit, the tournament offers some of the highest-ranking points on the global polo calendar, further reinforcing its appeal to elite players and teams from around the world.
Operating under the umbrella of the UAE Polo Federation, the DPGCS follows the strict regulations and standards of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA). All matches are overseen by certified HPA umpires, ensuring integrity, fairness, and professionalism throughout the competition. Beyond the field of play, the Gold Cup continues to symbolize sporting excellence, heritage, and Dubai’s growing influence on the international polo stage.
The 2026 Dubai Open is proudly supported by an exceptional lineup of partners. Bentley Emirates returns as the main sponsor, with Diamondlease joining as co-sponsor. The internationally renowned U.S. Polo Assn. brand serves as the official apparel sponsor, reinforcing the tournament’s classic sporting identity.
Extensive media coverage will be delivered through official media partners Pololine TV, Al Badia, Lovin Dubai, Prensa Polo, and Expat Woman, ensuring broad regional and international exposure for the event.
The press conference was attended by a distinguished panel of speakers, including Eisa Sharif, Director of Sports Events at the Dubai Sports Council; Saeed Bin Drai, Vice President of the UAE Polo Federation; Lukas Tremmel, General Manager of Al Habtoor Polo Resort; Joseph Tayar, Director of Bentley Emirates; and Santiago Torreguitarra, Tournament Director of the UAE Polo Federation.
Participating Teams - Gold Cup 2026:
-
Bangash Polo Team: Patron Haider Bangash
-
Dubai Wolves Polo Team: Patron Habtoor Al Habtoor
-
Ghantoot Polo Team: Patron Ali Al Merri
-
Habtoor Polo Team: Patron Mohammed Al Habtoor
-
UAE Polo Team: Patron Her Highness Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
-
Jehangiri Polo Team: Patron Muhammad Jehangiri
MAIN SPONSOR
Bentley Emirates
Bentley Emirates, the largest Bentley Dealer in the world is the. As part of the Prestige Cars Division of Al Habtoor Motors, Bentley Emirates have been the sole authorized importer of Bentley motor cars in the UAE since 1982. Driven by professionalism, quality and high standards, Bentley Emirates continues to serve with utmost confidence and is poised to scale even greater heights.
Bentley Emirates is set to open the doors to its new state of the art showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road the 2nd quarter of this year. This exciting development will be the first of its kind of automobile showroom experience where customers will not only come to see the range of vehicles but as well experience the World of Bentley. Al Habtoor Motors also recently opened the world’s first Bentley Cafe & Boutique in heart of Dubai Marina on the ground floor of Al Habtoor Business Tower. It provides a perfect venue to mirror the elements that make up Bentley's DNA, which has both contemporary and classic elements.
About Al Habtoor Motors - Prestige Cars Division
Part of the well-established, Dubai based business conglomerate Al Habtoor Group, the Prestige Cars Division is the official dealer of some of the world's coveted marques namely Bentley, Bugatti and McLaren in the UAE.
Website: www.dubai.bentleymotors.com
Diamond Lease
Diamondlease a fully owned subsidiary of the Al Habtoor Group, was established in 1996 to offer automotive rental and leasing solutions, as an alternative to owning and maintaining vehicles, to Corporate and Individual customers in the UAE. Diamond lease serves more than 700 companies and multinational conglomerates operating in UAE, handling and managing their transportation requirements.
Diamondlease is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company with a fleet of over 8400 vehicles. It was the first local Car Rental Company in UAE to receive an ISO certification and has proudly held the accreditation since 1999. In recognition of its sound business ethics and outstanding customer service, Diamondlease was one of the first car rental companies to have been nominated as a member of the prestigious Dubai Service Excellence Scheme (DSES) in 2003. Diamondlease has been awarded the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Travel Awards being adjudged the “Best Car Rental Company” – Local Brand for 7 years in a row.
Website: www.diamondlease.com
Official Apparel & Jersey Sponsor
U.S. Polo Assn.
U.S. Polo Assn. is the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the largest association of polo clubs and polo players in the United States, founded in 1890 and located in Wellington, Florida. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through more than 1,200 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores as well as thousands of additional points of distribution, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel, accessories, and footwear for men, women, and children in more than 190 countries worldwide. The brand sponsors major polo events around the world, including the U.S. Open Polo Championship®, held annually at NPC in The Palm Beaches, the premier polo tournament in the United States. Historic deals with ESPN in the United States, TNT and Eurosport in Europe, and Star Sports in India now broadcast several of the premier polo championships in the world, sponsored by U.S. Polo Assn., making the thrilling sport accessible to millions of sports fans globally for the very first time.
Website: uspoloassnglobal.com
Follow @uspoloassn
MEDIA PARTNERS
POLO LINE TV
PLTV is the first online streaming polo site, broadcasting over 25 tournaments LIVE per year around the globe, reaching +200k viewers. The production and edition of exclusive content makes PLTV the most comprehensive polo channel in the world.
Website: https://www.pololine.tv/
Al Badia
Since 2008, Al Badia, the prestigious Arabic venture is devoted to bringing the latest news and views on the equestrian world, Polo sporting and lifestyle. In fact, it is a tribute to the age-old passion for the thoroughbred, an integral part of the rich Arabian culture.
Al Badia focuses a gamut of information on the highly valued sport of horseracing, including information about events taking place in the Arab world and about organizations and services sought by equestrians of all disciplines. Besides being a specialized lifestyle magazine to meet the refined taste of the equestrian community, it features a wide range of information including very exclusive coverages like interviews of the Sheikhs and the who’s who of the Arab world. It targets the crème de la crème of the society and is widely circulated across different regions of the Gulf & Middle East.
Al Badia is a good platform to showcase premium brands, as it has a wide readership comprising sports enthusiasts, socialites, eminent personalities, celebrities and the royalty.
Website: http://albadiamagazine.com/
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Dubai Sports Council:
Dubai Sports Council is the official government body responsible for the development of the sport sector in the Emirate of Dubai. Under the Chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and its 14 Board Members; the Council supervises the work of nine local clubs in Dubai, six of which practice a variety of individual and or team sports, such as football, handball and archery; in addition to the chess club and a club devoted for those with special needs.
Since its inception in 2006, with the vision of creating a unique sporting community, the Council organizes various annual major Sports Championships and Conferences, in cooperation with multiple International/National sports bodies and Dubai Government Entities, such as the Dubai International Sports Conference, Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup and the FINA Diving World Series; in an attempt to enhance the culture, knowledge and expertise of professionalism in all aspects of the field; from the overall preparation and/or execution of the event.
Dubai became the first Arab and Middle East city to host the Sport Accord International Convention in 2010, and stages the annual Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, the most prestigious Award of the Middle East Region. Though the Council works on various major international sports events, it does not overlook the importance of spreading the awareness of a healthier, more active lifestyle locally; and in order to achieve such objectives, physical activity programs and initiatives, such as the Dubai Pulse Physical Activity program, the Furjan District Championships and the Dubai Beach Soccer League, have all been designed to target the various communities within the Emirate.
Website: www.dsc.ae
UAE Polo Federation
The UAE Polo Federation is the official governing body of the sport of polo in the United Arab Emirates. The association has been organized to promote the game of polo with the goal of improving the sport, coordinating the activities of its affiliated clubs and registered players and providing rules, handicaps and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, including the safety of participants.
Website: www.uaepolofederation.com/