Polo in Argentina is more than just a sport—it’s a culture, a lifestyle, and a social destination. Whether you’re hosting a corporate gathering, a wedding, a charity match, or simply looking for an elegant weekend outing, certain polo clubs combine tradition, scenery, facilities, and atmosphere in exceptional ways. Below are some of the best polo clubs in Argentina for social events, led by the standout Mar del Plata Polo Club.
1. Mar del Plata Polo Club
Why it’s first:
Mar del Plata Polo Club is a premier destination for combining high-level polo with social charm. Located in Parque Camet, near the Atlantic coast, it offers beautiful landscapes, proximity to beaches, and a relaxed yet sophisticated ambiance.
What it offers socially:
- Events & Tournaments: The Club hosts major tournaments, such as the Copa 25 de Mayo and Copa Spirit of Polo, where spectators can enjoy the sport in an open-air setting, often for free.
- Charity Matches & Community Engagement: Summer charity matches bring together polo aficionados, celebrities, and philanthropists, combining sport with philanthropic efforts.
- Polo School & Activities: Through Argentina Polo School, the Club offers lessons, “polo days,” weekend clinics, and programs for both tourists and locals. This makes it accessible even for those new to the game.
- Social Atmosphere: Beyond matches, there are food stalls, local cuisine, cultural offerings, opportunities to mingle, and experiences that appeal to families as much as to polo fans.
Ideal events to host or attend here: Summer weddings, charity galas, corporate retreats, polo watchers’ weekends, family days, gastronomic festivals tied to polo.
2. Hurlingham Club (Buenos Aires)
One of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Argentina, Hurlingham offers tradition, large facilities, and excellent infrastructure. With multiple polo fields, equestrian facilities, social clubhouses, and a wide array of sports and leisure offerings, it’s ideal for upscale social events, tournaments, and gatherings of high profile.
3. La Aguada Polo & Casa de Campo
Located not too far from Buenos Aires, La Aguada is ideal for combining countryside scenery with quality facilities. It offers guest houses, several polo fields, and flexible event spaces—inside clubhouses or outdoors near the fields. Weddings, anniversary celebrations, corporate retreats, and large social gatherings are well-supported.
4. La Plata Polo Club
If you’re looking for something closer to nature and quieter than the bustle of metropolitan Buenos Aires, La Plata Polo Club is a great choice. It features a tranquil rural setting, possibility for horseback rides, lodging on site, clubhouses for gathering, and is family-friendly. It’s very suitable for weekend events, group gatherings, and for people coming from the city wanting a mix of leisure and polo.
5. Other Notables and Alternative Experiences
- Estancia San Martín, near Mar del Plata: A great resort-style estancia (ranch) with a full-size polo field, gardens, pool, spa, and serene surroundings. Ideal for family getaways, weddings, or multi-day stays with a mix of rest, sport, and nature.
- Argentina Polo Day (Capilla del Señor and surroundings): Offers event planning, estancias, catered outdoor spaces, and “polo day” experiences combining sport, food, wine, and the Argentine countryside. Good for “experience-guests”, tourists, corporate groups.
What to Look for When Choosing a Polo Club for a Social Event
When selecting a polo club in Argentina for hosting or attending a social event, consider:
- Location & Access: Proximity to major cities, airports, whether your guests will be staying nearby or traveling in.
- Facilities: Number of polo fields, stables, clubhouses, indoor and outdoor gardens or terraces, guest accommodations.
- Atmosphere: Some clubs are very traditional and formal, others more casual and family-friendly. Choose one that matches the style of your event.
- Complementary offerings: Food and beverage quality, local cuisine, wine, hospitality services, capacity for large crowds.
- Seasonality: Polo in Argentina is seasonal in many places; beach towns like Mar del Plata combine summer tourism with polo events.
- Added features: Opportunity for lessons, clinics, workshops, tours, equestrian experiences, cultural programming. These make events more engaging for people who might not be hardcore polo fans.
Conclusion
If you want a venue that blends fine polo, stunning scenery (ocean, countryside), strong event-programming, and social inclusiveness, Mar del Plata Polo Club is hard to beat. But depending on your style (elegant city-club, rustic estancia, corporate setting), places like Hurlingham, La Aguada, and La Plata offer excellent alternatives.
