Four international teams will line-up for the 5. CBC SPORT ARENA POLO WORLD CUP in Baku/Azerbaijan from 7-10 September and compete at the polo arena of the ARAF Elite Horse & Polo Club. The handicap of the tournament is 10-12 Goals Arena (Grass +1, or Arena Handicap), each participating team will consist of three players and two substitutes. The 5. Arena Polo World Cup will feature Team Grand Champions Polo Club (Palm Beach, USA), Team Elite Horse & Polo Club (Baku, Azerbaijan), Monte-Carlo Polo Team (Monte Carlo, Monaco) and the Team Evviva Polo Club (St. Moritz, Switzerland).
Since the inauguration of the Arena Polo World Cup Azerbaijan in 2013, the host team from Azerbaijan has not only made tremendous progress but could already win the first ever FIP Arena Polo European Championship in 2015.
2016 it was Team Bogner with Richard Fagan (1), Mario Gomez (4) and Santiago Torreguitar (3) who defeated the European Champions from Azerbaijan and emerged victorious. It was also last year when Reto Gaudenzi brought together two unique polo locations for the first time. Baku and his birthplace St. Moritz in Switzerland. For the first time ever in Baku the legendary Hotel Badrutt’s Palace from St. Moritz was in charge of the VIP Catering together with the local caterer from Elite Horse & Polo Club. Reto Gaudenzi: „For us it was a great experience and success to bring together the destinations of Baku and St. Moritz. The ‘Baku Moritz Gala Night’ welcomed a few hundred guests and was the social highlight of the polo weekend in Baku. A unique combination which we are looking forward to continue next year.“ Yves Gardiol, General Manager of the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, attended the CBC Sport Arena Polo World Cup Azerbaijan personally: “For me it was the first time in Baku. I am absolutely impressed by this modern and open city and the warm welcome we received here.“
Since 2013 Bahruz Nabijev of the Equestrian Federation of Azerbaijan Republic (ARAF) together with World Polo of Reto Gaudenzi and his team create and set up this highly successful arena polo tournament. In September again, four days of great sport and glamorous polo nights with great entertainment in Baku will welcome guests from all over the world.
About polo in Azerbaijan
2013 the unique sport of polo was brought back to Azerbaijan, as one of its origin countries, where the traditional polo version Shovgan was played over the centuries. Thanks to General Elcin Gulijev, President of ARAF, and his visionaries of a new polo era in his country, the modern sport of polo was raised from zero to a remarkable international level in Azerbaijan during the last four years. After hosting the first ever FIP Arena Polo European Championship in 2015, the ARAF-Elite Horse & Polo Club now presents the 5. CBC Sport Arena Polo World Cup Azerbaijan. Following the huge success vibrant city of Baku has been awarded for the FIP Grass Polo European Championship in 2020. Therefore two full-size grass polo fields have been built in Azerbaijan.
PROGRAMME:
7th of September, 2017 / Thursday
4.30 pm Press conference (JW Marriott Absheron Baku)
5.00 pm Presentation of the Teams & Sponsors (outdoor terrace JW Marriott Absheron Baku)
6.00 pm Welcome Party for Players, VIPs, Sponsors, Officials and Journalists
(outdoor terrace JW Marriott Absheron Baku)
8th of September, 2017 / Friday
5.00 pm Gate Open
6.00 pm 1st Polo match Elite Horse & Polo Club Baku – Grand Champions Polo Club Palm Beach
7.15 pm 2nd Polo match Monte Carlo Polo Team – Evviva Polo Club St Moritz
8.30 pm World Polo Party (by invitation only)
9th of September, 2017 / Saturday
5.00 pm Gate Open
6.00 pm 1st Polo match Monte Carlo Polo Team – Grand Champions Polo Club Palm Beach
7.15 pm 2nd Polo match Evviva Polo Club St Moritz – Elite Horse & Polo Club Baku
8.00 pm Baku Moritz Night Polo Party at Elite Event Hall Baku
Ticket Hotline: +99 412 565 30 01 or +994 50 882 05 73
10th of September, 2017 / Sunday
2.00 pm Gate Open
3.00 pm 1st Polo match finals 3th and 4th place
4.15 pm 2nd Polo match finals 1st and 2nd place CBC Arena Polo World Cup Azerbaijan
5.00 pm Prize giving ceremony – farewell party
Info Desk
at Elite Horse & Polo Club 08. – 10. September 2017, 17:00 – 20:00
Open Air VIP Lounge & VIP-Ticket Sales
Admission by invitation only or with VIP tickets. Culinary delights by Elite Horse & Polo Club Baku, DJ music.
08. – 10. September 2017, VIP-Ticket Sales: +99 412 565 30 01 or +994 50 882 05 73
Grandstands
Free sitting. Culinary offer available for purchase. 08. – 10. September 2017
Prize-Giving Stage
The prize-giving ceremony takes place on Sunday after the final games.
Baku Polo Party presented by Badrutt’s Palace Hotel St. Moritz & Elite Events Hall Baku
9. September 2017. Top culinary offer and great entertainment.
Polo Night-Ticket Sales: +99 412 565 30 01 or +994 50 882 05 73
