Vanity Fair

February 2, 2026 By Stefania Conrieri

Inside the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2026: adrenaline, glamour, and royals: our story

St. Moritz celebrated the 41st Snow Polo World Cup, transforming the frozen lake into a spectacular arena where sport and social life merged. An Alpine ritual that, since 1985, has established St. Moritz as the absolute capital of snow polo. All the photos and the story.

St. Moritz is nestled in the heart of the Engadin winter and, like every year around this time, one of the most exclusive Alpine resorts in the world hosted the three-day 41st edition of the Snow Polo World Cup 2026. An event that is much more than a sporting tournament: it is a collective ritual, a social gathering, a symbol of style and belonging.

The frozen lake was once again transformed into a breathtaking natural stage, nestled between sun-drenched snow-capped peaks. A fairytale setting that attracted spectators from across Europe and the rest of the world: aristocrats, American celebrities, businessmen, and enthusiasts , all gathered around the playing field. An international and cosmopolitan audience, drawn to one of the most iconic sporting events in the Alpine landscape.

Since 1985, the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz has been one of the most anticipated events of the Alpine winter, blending sport and lifestyle like no other. Horses have raced across the famous frozen lake, transformed into a unique rink , thrilling spectators. Here, polo expresses itself in its most spectacular form: fast, physical, technical, and extreme.

The world's most prestigious snow polo tournament will be held in St. Moritz.

Polo, however, is not just about sporting performance, but also about style. The teams at this year's Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz were outfitted by US Polo Assn., a global sports brand and official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), present in 190 countries, which debuted this year as the Official Jersey and Apparel Sponsor.

”The U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association, founded in 1890, and we have always enjoyed supporting polo events around the world. Whether it's the US Open in the United States or the Queen's Cup in England, our goal is the same: to support a sport that is authentic, elegant, and deeply rooted in its history,” explains J. Michael Prince, president and CEO of USPA Global, the company that manages and markets the brand worldwide. And St. Moritz was the perfect backdrop for this inaugural partnership. ”St. Moritz is one of the most captivating polo destinations in the world: the mountains as a backdrop, the iconic town, the snow that becomes the playing field. There's nothing like it. Here, approximately 26,000 people watch top-level matches on a snow-covered field: it's a unique event in the world. This tournament has created an excellent relationship, based on shared values, authenticity, and a true connection with the sport, which is essential to us ,” emphasized J. Michael Prince.

The polo competition on the frozen lake: pure adrenaline

The 2026 edition featured a top-level competition, confirming its status as the only ”high-goal” polo tournament in the world (i.e., featuring top-level players, with handicaps or higher levels) played on snow. Six teams, each with four players, took turns riding polo ponies during the various halves of the match (called chukkers ) thanks to the diligent care of the grooms (those responsible for caring for the polo ponies) : an average of five horses per athlete, because the physical exertion is such that no animal could sustain an entire match.

The competing players had to hit a red ball with a cue, attempting to pass it between two posts marking the opponent's goal. Some of the best international players with the highest handicaps competed on the court: legend David ”Pelon” Stirling, along with stars Raul Laplacette and Robert Strom. This year's St. Moritz Snow Polo was won by the Standing Rock team, captained by Philipp Müller, who defeated Flexjet with a hard-fought 6-4.5 victory.

Once the competition got underway, the spectacle was unparalleled. Polo is a fast-paced, team-based, and extremely physical sport. At times challenging, always captivating. The harmony between horse and player is complete: coordination, strength, technique, and courage blend together in perfect balance. The riders gallop across the snow with impressive ease, as if the cold didn't exist, completely absorbed in the game.

Style and technique for the six competing teams

The six polo teams, who took turns on the field for the various matches, were easily recognizable thanks in part to the jersey colors designed by the U.S. Polo Assn. for this edition of the tournament. ” My goal was not to simply create uniforms for individual players, but pieces that would remain in everyone's hearts after the three days of this wonderful spectacle. Each team was therefore designed specifically, starting with the DNA of the tournament's various sponsors. Take Flexjet, for example, which represents the pinnacle of private aviation worldwide, with jets that transport a high-profile international clientele. For them, we created white uniforms embellished with a chocolate brown accent, their signature color. For other teams, like Azerbaijan, we chose a bright green, because it's the country's iconic and representative color. Another important reference was the red of the St. Moritz team,” explains Chiara Nencini, product manager at Incom spa, the Tuscan company that holds the brand's license in Europe.

VIP seating on the lake: champagne, social life, and gourmet dishes

Around the pitch, the crowd braved freezing temperatures (down to minus 15 degrees Celsius) and, sporting chic blankets over their legs, watched unperturbed from the stands and elegant temporary marquees, including the monumental 900-seat VIP tent, flanked by state-of-the-art technical equipment. This imposing structure allowed spectators to experience every minute of the match with a privileged view, right up close to the players.

The cheering echoed across the Alpine valley, amplifying the energy of the competition. The horses' hooves kicked up snow with every pass, while along the lake's shores, the crowds enjoyed the event as an unparalleled sensory and social experience, amid flutes of champagne, ladies in fur hats, and impeccable winter outfits.

Among the audience are many young people who are increasingly drawn to this sport for the strong emotions it can provide. ”Generation Z and Generation Alpha are the future athletes and our consumers. Today our company generates approximately three billion dollars in revenue, and over two billion comes from Gen Z , Gen Alpha, and Millennials who identify with a youthful brand connected to sport. In this sense, Snow Polo St. Moritz has helped us a lot and has been a great success,” emphasizes J. Michael Prince.

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