Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2027: World-Class Polo and an Exceptional Gala in the Swiss Alps

il y a 8 heures

5 min de lecture

From 22 to 24 January 2027, the frozen lake of St. Moritz will once again become the stage for one of Switzerland’s most distinctive winter sporting events. The 42nd Snow Polo World Cup brings together international polo talent, Alpine elegance and a spectacular social calendar, with the return of David “Pelon” Stirling and a glamorous new setting for the traditional Saturday night gala.

Where World-Class Polo Meets Alpine Luxury

There are few sporting settings as striking as a polo match played against the snow-covered peaks of the Engadin. Beneath the crisp winter sunlight, horses race across the frozen surface of Lake St. Moritz, players compete for possession of the orange ball, and the surrounding mountains provide a dramatic natural backdrop.

From 22 to 24 January 2027, this extraordinary setting will welcome the 42nd edition of the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz, the world’s only high-goal polo tournament played on snow. Since the sport’s historic debut on the frozen lake in 1985, the event has become an established fixture on the international winter calendar, attracting leading polo players, an international audience and visitors drawn to St. Moritz’s distinctive combination of sporting excellence and refined hospitality. The 2027 edition promises to continue that tradition, bringing together competitive polo, an elegant Polo Village and an anticipated highlight away from the playing field: the Saturday evening gala, which will take place at a new venue for the first time.

For three days, St. Moritz will once again demonstrate how sport, mountain scenery and understated Alpine sophistication can combine to create an experience unlike any other.

David “Pelon” Stirling Returns to the Frozen Lake

Among the most anticipated names at the 2027 tournament is David “Pelon” Stirling, the Uruguayan polo player whose return is certain to attract attention from spectators. A familiar favourite among the St. Moritz audience, Stirling will once again represent Team Flexjet. Known as one of the leading figures in international polo, he brings his experience, technical ability and competitive spirit back to the Engadin. His participation adds another compelling dimension to a tournament built around world-class sporting talent and the unique demands of playing on snow.

The competition will reach its traditional climax on Sunday afternoon, when the finalists compete for the coveted Snow Polo World Cup Trophy. Beyond the matches, the event offers an opportunity to experience the wider atmosphere of St. Moritz in winter. At the Polo Village, residents, holidaymakers and members of the international polo community gather over champagne, punch and Engadin specialities, enjoying the convivial atmosphere that has become an integral part of the tournament. Another traditional highlight is the Schlitteda on Saturday, when decorated horse-drawn sleighs travel across the lake, adding a distinctly regional touch to the weekend’s celebrations.

The Polo Gala Moves to the Reine Victoria

For 2027, the Snow Polo World Cup introduces a significant change to its social programme. The celebrated Saturday evening gala will be held for the first time in the magnificent ballroom of the Reine Victoria hotel, which will be transformed for the occasion.

The evening is conceived as a winter spectacle inspired by fire, ice and snow sculptures. Guests will be welcomed with mulled wine, Beluga Vodka Mountain and Alpine music before moving into a reception featuring Perrier-Jouët Champagne.

A four-course gala dinner accompanied by selected wines will follow, alongside live music and entertainment. The evening will then continue with an after-party in the hotel’s renowned nightclub, where a DJ will provide the soundtrack into the early hours.

The change of venue marks a new chapter for one of the tournament’s signature social occasions, extending the experience beyond the frozen lake into an elaborate indoor celebration. Reto Gaudenzi, founder and CEO of the Snow Polo World Cup, describes the contrast between the sporting programme and the evening festivities as central to the event’s appeal. During the day, he explains, the lake belongs to the horses and players, framed by the spectacular Alpine landscape. On Saturday evening, the focus shifts to the Reine Victoria, where the hotel will become a winter wonderland for a night designed to leave a lasting impression. His summary captures the spirit of the occasion: “Polo rocks the Victoria!”

Strong Ticket Demand and Exclusive Experiences

Interest in the 2027 edition is already reflected in ticket demand. The gala is sold out, with places available only through the waiting list. Demand for Chukker Club and VIP tickets is also reported to be exceptionally high. For those wishing to attend the tournament, early planning is therefore advisable. The sporting programme begins before the official competition, with training matches scheduled for Thursday, 21 January 2027. Admission to these sessions is free, offering visitors the opportunity to see the horses and players at close range and experience the atmosphere on the lake ahead of the main event. The initiative also provides an accessible introduction to a sport that remains closely associated with international competition and exclusive Alpine destinations.

A Special Initiative for Local Schoolchildren

The 2027 programme also includes an educational initiative designed to introduce young people to elite winter sport.

On Friday, school classes are invited to experience two major sporting events in a single day: the Snow Polo World Cup on Lake St. Moritz and the FIS Cross-Country World Cup Engadin in Silvaplana. Organised on the initiative of Adriano Iseppi, President of the Municipality of St. Moritz, and Reto Gaudenzi, the programme includes a live polo match, a bratwurst, a drink and a small commemorative gift. Students will then travel by organised transfer to the cross-country skiing World Cup arena, where they can cheer on the athletes and enjoy Bütschella and punch.

Teachers can register their classes until 30 November 2026.

The initiative offers a different perspective on the tournament, connecting an internationally recognised sporting event with the local community and the next generation of spectators.

A Historic Tradition with an International Outlook

Polo on snow was first played in St. Moritz in 1985, establishing a sporting tradition that has since become synonymous with the Engadin’s winter identity.

In 2014, leading figures from the Swiss polo community founded Evviva Polo St. Moritz AG and entered into a long-term agreement with the municipality to secure the tournament’s future.

Today, the event is organised in close collaboration with See-Infra AG and numerous local and regional partners, reflecting the collective effort required to stage a major sporting competition on a frozen Alpine lake.

The 42nd Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz continues this legacy, bringing together international players, established partners and visitors from around the world.

For its 2027 edition, the combination of high-goal polo, the return of David “Pelon” Stirling and the new gala setting at the Reine Victoria promises a weekend in which sporting intensity meets Alpine hospitality.

Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2027: Dates and Tickets

Dates: 22–24 January 2027

Location: Lake St. Moritz, Engadin, Switzerland

Training matches: Thursday, 21 January 2027, with free admission

Saturday gala: Reine Victoria, St. Moritz sold out, with a waiting list available

School registration deadline: 30 November 2026

For tickets, programme details and further information, visit the official website of the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz: www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com.

The tournament’s matches can also be watched via the live stream on PoloLine.TV.

In January 2027, St. Moritz will once again offer a distinctive expression of Swiss winter luxury: world-class sport on a frozen lake, a spectacular mountain setting and a social programme culminating in an elegant gala at the Reine Victoria.