Newport Polo will introduce the Pakistan Polo Team for Opening Day on Saturday, June 1, 2024, as the 38th nation to participate in the Newport International Polo Series Presented by Turkish Airlines.
The polo match featuring USA vs. Pakistan will begin at 5 pm with a flag raising of the Pakistan national flag, national anthems, and an Official Coin Toss.
“It is an honor to welcome the Pakistan team coming from such a great distance,” says Dan Keating, the Polo Series Founder, “we know our fans will be excited to see their skillful play, coming from the cradle of polo.”
Polo’s origins in Pakistan date back to ancient times. It is believed to have been introduced by Central Asian nomads who brought the game to the Indian subcontinent. Polo has been played in the region for over 2,000 years, with historical references indicating its presence during the Persian Empire and later in the Mughal era.
The first in a series of unique Cocktail Meet & Greet soirées this year, a season kickoff celebration and cocktail Meet & Greet reception welcome supporters by RSVP to Hammetts Wharf on Friday, May 31, the eve of Opening Day, from 7-8:30pm.
Tickets are available at www.nptpolo.com and at the entry gates. The 6-chukker contest will feature a half-time divot stomp on BD Field at the polo grounds at 250 Linden Lane in Portsmouth, RI. It will conclude with a Trophy Presentation and autograph signing, a complimentary toast at the fieldside Modern Luxury Lounge and a la carte menu for the après polo celebration with the teams.
Gates Open at 1PM | Pavilion Opens at 4PM: to avoid last-minute entry traffic delays, arrive early to enjoy pre-game refreshments, amplified music, games on the field, shopping, and socializing. The match will begin with national anthem(s) followed by player introductions and Official Coin Toss to start the match. After 3 periods called chukkers, a Halftime Intermission includes a stroll on the polo field for the divot stomp, a ‘treading in’ to replace divots, a time-honored polo tradition to repair the field for the second half.
Door Prize Drawing: attendees are encouraged to submit a door prize raffle entry at the Pro Shop by the end of halftime, for a chance to win a handsome, weekly door prize awarded that day and a chance at the Grand Prize Trip for 2 anywhere in the world from Turkish Airlines.
Best in Show: The theme for USA vs. Pakistan is Silk Road! [Pakistan, in the cradle of polo for thousands of years, is situated at the top of the world, surrounded by 3 of the world’s highest mountain ranges, where the legendary ‘Silk Road’ trade route created an East meets West culture enriched with silks & spices, philosophies, technology and knowledge, welcoming passers through to discover the beauty of this unique corner of the world, boasting the highest altitude polo field in Gilgit where an ancient epitaph stands inscribed with “Let others play at other things. The King of Games is still the Game of Kings.” which sums up the ancient history of what is believed to be the oldest organized sport in the world. Polo was truly a game of Kings, for most of its 2,500 years or more of existence.] The most spirited Newport Polo fans who best capture the contest theme will be rewarded with prizes in the Best in Show Contest (see 2023 Entries & Winners Album). This tradition is a tribute to our fans that continue to show their spirit and love of polo, earning Best Tailgating in New England from Yankee Magazine and making the Newport Polo experience par excellence. Our resident style photographer will capture souvenir Pix at Polo, available from Cocoa & Co.
Following the classic 6 chukkers of play, the match will conclude with a victory lap by the teams as they circle the field in the Newport Polo Fan Salute, which has been a tradition since 2003 now common in clubs around the world. Following the salute will be the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Toast and Trophy Presentation and a cocktail hour celebration in the Modern Luxury Lounge hosted by The Cocktail Guru with a complimentary cocktail courtesy of Tito’s Vodka and The Cocktail Guru.
While in Newport, Newport Polo says that the Pakistani team will tour the famed Newport Mansions, enjoy zipping throughout town on electric bikes from Island Adventures, take part in tennis at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, sail with Cruises, and enjoy tours with Newport Jaguar Tours. The team will additionally share team meals at hotspots in the City-by-the-Sea, including the iconic Clarke Cooke House, throughout the week before hosting the cocktail meet and greet at Hammetts Warf in Newport.
