Best Polo Teams in the World: Top Squads Ranked
The best polo teams in the world are concentrated in Argentina, the USA, and the UK, with high-goal outfits like La Dolfina and Ellerstina consistently dominating elite tournaments.
The best polo teams in the world are those that consistently compete at the highest handicap levels and win the most prestigious championships. Among the most dominant are La Dolfina and Ellerstina from Argentina, with strong challengers from the USA, England, and Dubai. Argentina remains the heartland of elite polo, producing the majority of world-class players and teams.
Why Argentina Dominates World Polo
Argentina has long been considered the spiritual home of competitive polo. The country’s open pampas, deep gaucho tradition, and robust polo infrastructure have produced generation after generation of elite players. The Argentine Open, held annually in Palermo, Buenos Aires, is widely regarded as the most prestigious polo tournament in the world, and Argentine teams have dominated it for decades.
The Top Polo Teams in the World
The following teams are widely considered among the best in high-goal polo based on tournament records, player handicaps, and overall prestige.
| Team | Country | Key Players | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Dolfina | Argentina | Adolfo Cambiaso | Multiple Argentine Open titles |
| Ellerstina | Argentina | Gonzalito Pieres | Consistent Argentine Open finalists |
| Valiente | USA | Bob Jornayvaz | Leading North American high-goal team |
| King Power Foxes | UK | Sponsored international squad | Strong performers at Gold Cup |
| Dubai Polo Team | UAE | International lineup | Winners of major European tournaments |
| Park Place | USA | Andrey Borodin | US Open Polo Championship contender |
La Dolfina: The Benchmark of Excellence
La Dolfina, led by Adolfo Cambiaso — considered by many to be the greatest polo player of all time — has set the standard for modern high-goal polo. The team has accumulated an extraordinary run of victories at the Argentine Open and is widely regarded as the defining polo outfit of the 21st century. Cambiaso’s combination of tactical vision, horsemanship, and hitting ability has made La Dolfina a near-unbeatable force at the elite level.
Ellerstina: The Perennial Challengers
Ellerstina, anchored by members of the Pieres family, is La Dolfina’s most consistent rival. The team has reached the Argentine Open final on numerous occasions and has also performed strongly in European tournaments. Brothers Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres are among the most decorated polo players outside of the Cambiaso orbit.
Strong Teams Beyond Argentina
While Argentina leads, several teams from other countries compete at the highest levels:
- Valiente (USA): One of the strongest American teams, regularly competing at 26-goal level during the US polo season in Florida.
- King Power Foxes (UK): A prominent presence at the British high-goal season, including the Queen’s Cup and Gold Cup at Cowdray Park.
- Dubai Polo Team (UAE): Has made a significant mark on European polo circuits, winning prestigious tournaments in Spain and England.
How Teams Are Ranked
Polo teams are not ranked on a single global table in the same way football or tennis players are. Instead, prestige is measured by performance at marquee tournaments: the Argentine Open (Palermo), the US Open Polo Championship, the British Gold Cup, and the Dubai Gold Cup. Teams that consistently win or reach finals of these events are considered the world’s best.
Player handicaps — assigned on a scale from minus 2 to 10 goals — also serve as a proxy for team strength. The highest-rated players in the world are predominantly Argentine.
Quick summary: La Dolfina and Ellerstina from Argentina are widely regarded as the two best polo teams in the world, with strong high-goal outfits from the USA, UK, and UAE rounding out the global elite. Argentina dominates due to its deep polo culture and the unmatched quality of its players.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best polo team in the world?+
La Dolfina, based in Argentina and led by Adolfo Cambiaso, is widely regarded as the greatest polo team in modern history, having won the Argentine Open multiple times.
Which country has the best polo teams?+
Argentina is considered the world's leading polo nation, producing the majority of the top-ranked players and the most successful high-goal teams globally.
What is high-goal polo?+
High-goal polo refers to tournaments where the combined team handicap is typically 22 goals or above. It represents the highest level of competitive polo played worldwide.