Don’t miss the party at Polo in the Park

London’s summer social season starts this year with Chestertons Polo in the Park which takes place on 5-7 June at the ‘spiritual home of polo,’ Hurlingham Park, Fulham.

Now in its seventh year, the three-day sporting spectacle brings world class polo right to the heart of London. With its vibrant party atmosphere and thrilling polo on display, the tournament is now firmly established as one of the capital’s hottest tickets.

New to this year’s schedule is the addition of an international match, where England will take on Team South America sponsored by Air Europa, in the evening of Friday 5 June. Sporting history will be made when the first England International polo match is played at Hurlingham Park since 1939.  The England team, sponsored by Cutler and Gross, will be made up of a squad of home-grown talent befitting such a momentous occasion including Matthew Perry, James Beim and Tom Morley who have a wealth of international experience between them and an incredible team handicap of 18.

With a passionate crowd cheering them on, the England team will be raring to go when they take on a South American side, sponsored by Air Europa. Captain James Beim has been one of Britain’s most successful players for over a decade and with 6ft5 defender Tom Morley and feisty striker Matt Perry alongside him, they will be confident of victory.

David Woodd, CEO of Hurlingham Polo Association, said: “The England Team sponsored by Cutler and Gross, are really looking forward to representing their country at Chestertons Polo in the Park in what is sure to be an extremely exciting match on June 5.’’

For the rest of the tournament, six teams, representing cities from around the world, play with three-man teams on a slightly smaller field than usual, meaning the action is never far away from the spectator. The traditional rules are adapted to create a much more spectator-friendly game – perfect for polo newcomers. This year the visiting teams taking on the London home team are last year’s winners Abu Dhabi, Lagos, Hong Kong, Davos and Dublin.

© Anthony Upton Cheska Hull, Phoebe-Lettice Thompson, Fran Newman-Young and Olivia Newman-Young, stars of Made in Chelsea at the VIP Mahiki Tent

What’s more, the action on the side of the playing field is just as entertaining as the action on the field – with bars and hospitality spilling around the perimeter of the pitch. Mayfair’s famous nightclub, Mahiki Bar will be shaking up some amazing cocktails from its pitchside bar (which happens to be the longest pop up bar in Europe) whilst the Champagne Lanson Garden Bar provides a wonderfully civilised place to view the sport.

While the adults are fixed on the polo, the younger audience certainly won’t be feeling left out. Throughout all three days, popular children’s entertainers, Sharky & George and Eddie Catz will be hosting ‘Kids Club’ on the Hurlingham basketball courts, keeping children of all ages fully occupied with fun games and crafts. While this is all going on, Original Travel will be hosting a parent’s zone, complete with comfy chairs and refreshments where they can relax in the safe knowledge that the kids are being fully entertained!

On Sunday 7 June, before the final polo matches commence, Sharky & George will be organising a giant ‘pitch invasion’, that will see a flash mob of kids entertainment invade the polo pitch, such as a space hoppers polo match and tug of war!

The tournament kicks off on Friday 5 June, dubbed ‘Chukka Friday’ and is a favourite for corporates and their guests. Matches are played well into the evening and with post 5pm tickets at just £10, it’s the perfect place to escape to after work.

Saturday is ‘Ladies Day presented by Little Miracles Drinks’ – the social event of the summer! This day is usually a sell-out long before the event, so it is advised to book early for this day to avoid disappointment.

‘Finals Day’ on Sunday 7 June is a fun action packed day for everyone, with extra entertainment laid on for children. Spectators can enjoy watching both the Final and Plate Final on this day and see the victors presented with the winning trophy.

Tickets start from just £10 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.co.uk. Early bird and group discounts apply. For more information visit www.polointheparklondon.com.

Full timetable:

FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 2015: International Friday

12 noon The Hurlingham Club and Park opens

2:30pm MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK TEAM HONG KONG vs TEAM DUBLIN

4:00pm ARGENTEX TEAM DAVOS vs SHORELINE TEAM LAGOS

5:30pm MINT TEAM LONDON vs CITY AM TEAM ABU DHABI

7:00pm International Polo Match

TEAM ENGLAND SPONSORED BY CUTLER AND GROSS vs TEAM SOUTH AMERICA SPONSORED BY AIR EUROPA

8:30pm Last orders at the bar

9:00pm Grounds Close

SATURDAY 6TH JUNE: Ladies Day, presented by Little Miracles Drinks

12 noon Hurlingham Park opens

2:15pm MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK TEAM HONG KONG vs ARGENTEX TEAM DAVOS

4:00pm SHORELINE TEAM LAGOS vs MINT TEAM LONDON

6:00pm CITY AM TEAM ABU DHABI vs TEAM DUBLIN

7:30pm Last orders at the bar

8:00pm Grounds Close

SUNDAY 7TH JUNE: Finals Day

11:30am Hurlingham Park opens

11:30am – 1.30pm Sharky & George Pitch Invasion

2:00pm POLO MATCH

3:30pm PLATE FINAL

5:00pm CHESTERTONS POLO IN THE PARK FINAL

6:15pm Prize Giving/Trophy Presentation

6:30pm Last orders at the bar

7:00pm Grounds Close