FEDEX MIAMI BEACH POLO WORLD CUP The Sexiest Sport Returns to South Beach
Continuing its tradition as the sporting and social highlight of the season, The Polo Life, LLC shows the “sport of kings” is more than horseplay with the third annual FedEx Miami Beach Polo World Cup. Held April 13 -15, players from around the globe and a troop of 80 Argentine horses will battle it out for La Martina Cup on the sands between 20th and 22nd Streets in front of The Setai, the official presenting hotel. With international, elite spectators already clamoring for VIP tickets, the oldest known team sport in the world is proving itself once again as the hottest lifestyle event on South Beach.
The weekend commences with a cocktail reception at The Setai on Thursday, April 12, to be followed by three days of matches between six participating teams. Polo fans can view the matches at no charge from public areas or purchase a limited number of VIP tickets to enjoy free-flowing champagne, a fashion show and bites from Spuntino Catering and The Tides South Beach under a private tent. The crowd can cheer the polo chukkers by day and revel in posh parties with the players and Miami’s most fashionable by night. The official Polo Player Party will be at Mynt on Thursday. Friday night welcomes the players and VIPs at The Tides for a dinner reception by famed chef, Pietro Rota. “Polo Night” will feature the FedEx La Martina Fashion Show at The Setai on the Saturday of the tournament weekend. All parties require ticket purchases.
Responsible for bringing this grand event to the city is The Polo Life, LLC. The event was founded by Bruce Orosz, President of ACT Productions, and Reto G. Gaudenzi, a long-time polo player and the father of snow polo, which he invented in 1985. Gaudenzi also organizes the Snow Arena World Cup in Austria and polo tournaments on the sands of Dubai. Helping maintain the tradition, Gaudenzi’s son, Tito, plays with his father in the Miami Beach tournament and also works with The Polo Life, LLC to organize the event every year.
With the regal sport as the main attraction and the most high-end events and partners from The Setai to Lamborghini surrounding it, this elegant destination event weekend brings the highest-quality tourism to Miami Beach, attracting international VIPs and celebrities. The City of Miami Beach has shown great support of the tournament’s return because of its elite influence. Not only do the world’s upper echelon come and stay for the event, but many also come to play. Teams representing the United States, Europe and South America participate in the matches, with such high-society players as Melissa Potamkin and Mark Ganzi.
General admission is complimentary, and VIP tickets to the matches (including VIP lounge area, catering and bar) range from $120-$140 per day. For more information on the tournament, or to purchase tickets to matches, visit www.thepololife.com or call 866.468.7630. For tickets to Chef Pietro’s dinner reception at The Tides South Beach, call 305.604.5044, and for tickets to “Polo Night” at The Setai, call 305.520.6225.