Photo credits: Snow Polo St. Moritz
When the first snow polo match was played on the frozen lake of St. Moritz in 1985, the idea of combining equestrian sport with winter terrain was a novelty. Forty years later, the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz remains the only high-goal tournament of its kind, and one of the most enduring winter sporting traditions in Europe.
The 41st edition, scheduled for January 23 to 25, 2026, brings a mix of continuity and change. Two new teams - sponsored by Investec and Standing Rock - will join a competitive field that includes past champions and rising talent. For the first time, Argentine star Nico Pieres will compete on the ice, a notable addition to a roster already defined by international reach and deep polo lineage.
The tournament has never been static. Over the decades, it has adapted - both to rising global interest in the sport and to the practical demands of hosting high-goal polo at altitude and in subzero conditions. The introduction of a modest admission fee this year reflects an effort to balance public enthusiasm with crowd management, safety, and the integrity of the experience.
Photo credits: Snow Polo St. Moritz
What has not changed is the central role the event plays in the rhythm of the alpine winter season. The frozen lake, the surrounding Engadin mountains, and the disciplined movement of horses across snow remain as striking now as they were in 1985.
As the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz enters its fifth decade, it stands less as a curiosity and more as an institution - defined not only by its spectacle but by the rare consistency of purpose and setting, quietly holding its ground at the intersection of tradition and terrain.