The United States Polo Association® (USPA), the national governing body for the sport of polo, and Greenwich Polo Club, in partnership with Audi of America and its 29 Tri-State Audi Dealers, are proud to present the 2016 East Coast Open, which will take place August 28th -September 11th at Greenwich Polo Club. Considered to be one of the most prestigious polo competitions in the United States, the East Coast Open features eight of polos top teams competing in the 20-goal tournament.
Public games will take place over three consecutive Sundays. The USPA will live stream all tournament games on ChukkerTV.com, (check out USPOLO.ORG for tournament information, schedule and updates) and fans can relive the championship match by tuning in to NBC Sports Network on Sunday, September 17 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The 60-minute national broadcast will feature game action, behind-the-scenes commentary and interviews with polo players and notable figures from the global polo community. Last years tournament had one of the largest polo viewerships, with an audience of 183,000 on NBC Sports Network and 50,000 live streaming views.
The East Coast Open is a fantastic event that exposes the sport of polo to the New York City Metropolitan Area one of the greatest sports markets across the country, said USPA Chairman, Joe Meyer. Each year, the high level of competition continues to impress building upon its reputation as one of our most distinguished tournaments.
Since 1905, the Perry Cup trophy has symbolized the East Coast Open championship. Winners of this high-goal tournament have laid claim to this ornate symbol of excellence, tradition and sportsmanship. The East Coast Open continuously attracts national and international fanfare and the worlds best polo players, who will soon descend on the town of Greenwich, in the hopes of etching their names on the tournaments trophy.
We are proud to once again host the East Coast Open at Greenwich Polo Club, which offers competition at the top level of the sport featuring the best teams, players and horses, said Peter M. Brant, founder of Greenwich Polo Club and Patron of the White Birch polo team. With the USPA, weve ushered in a new era for this storied tournament with teams coming from around the country to compete at Greenwich Polo Club. Both Audi and Airstream will be returning this year, while Mt. Brilliant (Kentucky), Postage Stamp Farm (Florida) and Goose Creek (Florida) will be playing the East Coast Open for the first time.
The East Coast Open is expected to draw more than 10,000 spectators and offers luxury brands high visibility in an elegant and social sports setting, and a unique opportunity to connect with one of the worlds oldest and most powerful sports. Audi and Town & Country will host beautifully outfitted VIP hospitality tents, under which guests will enjoy an unprecedented experience. Shreve, Crump & Low is the official trophy sponsor and will be providing trophies and gifts to players during the award presentation at the end of each match and fans are invited to participate in the Super Secret Mystery Box Giveaway Challenge. Saks Fifth Avenue will sponsor the stomping of the divots, in celebration of its first stand-alone 10022-SHOE shop opening in Greenwich on October 20th. Other luxury brand partners include Airstream, Argentina Tourism, Edmiston Yachts, Hospital for Special Surgery, Lancóme, Luxury Seekers, and Wheels Up.
While the primary focus is always on the game, Greenwich Polo Club continues to elevate the polo experience to make every match an event to remember. Geoffrey Zakarian’s The National will have a pop-up bar on the polo grounds serving polo inspired cocktails made with ingredients including Indi Tonic and fine liquors such as Beluga Noble Russian Vodka the official vodka of Greenwich Polo Club. Beluga Noble Russian Vodka will also be hosting tastings for polo fans through an exclusive pop-up bar. Each match will also feature delicacies from the best regional food trucks.
Founded in Rhode Island, the East Coast Open dates back to 1905 and was played until World War I. It had a renaissance starting in 1978 when Donald Little, then president of the USPA and Captain of the Myopia Polo Club, resurrected the tournament and brought it to Myopia Polo Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts where it was played until the early 2000s. At its height, 13 teams played in the 16-20 goal tournament, including many 10-goal players who inspired a number of todays players to pick up their mallets.
Tickets are now available for the East Coast Open at www.greenwichpoloclub.com/eco/tickets/. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. and matches start at 3:00 p.m. The field address is 1 Hurlingham Drive, Greenwich, CT 06831.