A rainbow arched over Cowdray House on the evening of 9 June as guests gathered for the draw of the St. Regis British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup.
Playing members, patrons and invited guests attended the official draw for England’s most prestigious polo tournament, which this year features 19 competing teams. The Whisky 1901 Copper Bar took pride of place in Buck Hall, serving a selection of fine Scottish whiskies throughout the evening, while Gusbourne, Hogs Back Brewery, Saicho Sparkling Tea and South Downs Water, valued partners of the Club, also provided refreshments for guests.
An impressive 19 teams entered the St. Regis British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup, newly named following St. Regis becoming the tournament’s title partner for 2026. The teams were allocated into a structured format consisting of one league of five teams and two crossover sections, split into one four-team group and one three-team group. Each team will play four qualifying matches. League A will compete within its own group, while Groups B and C, and Groups D and E, will play crossover fixtures. The final group matches in Groups B and D will see the first-drawn team face the fourth-drawn team, while the second-drawn team will meet the third-drawn team.
To ensure a balanced and competitive structure, five seeded teams were selected based on their performance in the Queen’s Cup, specifically those achieving three or more victories. The draw was conducted on stage by Karl Ude-Martinez, the Marchioness of Milford Haven, and Polo Manager Matt Sim, who guided guests through the allocation process and revealed the pathways to this year’s championship.
Following the draw, a representative from each team gathered outside the front of Cowdray House for the traditional annual team photograph, proudly wearing their team shirts. The occasion was marked by a sabrage ceremony performed by St. Regis Butler, Tom Wardley, adding a touch of theatre and celebration to the evening.
A special thank you goes to all of our sponsors, whose support helps make this prestigious tournament possible. Their continued commitment to the sport plays a vital role in delivering one of the highlights of the international polo season.
The evening brought together sport, hospitality and anticipation, setting the stage for an exciting St. Regis Cowdray Gold Cup and another memorable chapter in the history of one of polo’s most celebrated tournaments.
