The best polo in the world is dressing up for the occasion once again. This Tuesday marks the start of the Triple Crown in Argentina, the most prestigious and coveted tournament series worldwide, bringing together the most powerful teams and organizations in equestrian sport. With renewed line-ups and a clear favourite aiming to repeat its 2025 triumph, anticipation is running high.
Action runs from Tuesday, September 22, with the start of the 133rd Hurlingham Club Open, until Saturday, December 12, the scheduled date for the final of the 133rd Argentine Open. The detailed schedule is as follows:
September 22 to October 3. Featuring 8 teams ranging from 32 to 40 goals of handicap, played in a single-elimination format. The quarterfinals will be played on Tuesday, September 22, and Wednesday, September 23; the semi-finals on the weekend of September 26 and 27; and the grand final on Saturday, October 3.
October 6 to November 7. The qualifying stage will take place throughout October, crowning the champion on Saturday, November 7. Ten teams will participate: the 8 from Hurlingham plus two coming from the qualification tournament.
November 10 to December 12. The tournament finale of the season, at the Campo Argentino de Polo, will close the calendar year by crowning the master of ultimate glory. The same 10 teams from Tortugas will take part.
The 2026 edition promises tactical parity and star-studded names in the top-handicap line-ups, though one team stands out as the massive favourite looking to repeat the 2025 feat of sweeping the Triple Crown: La Natividad La Dolfina. In fact, last season they achieved the milestone undefeated, without dropping a single match the entire season.
The powerhouse team keeps the exact same line-up as in 2025, boasting a 40-goal handicap. It is integrated by Camilo Castagnola, Adolfo "Poroto" Cambiaso, Adolfo Cambiaso—who will seek to match Juan Carlos Harriott's record of 20 Argentine Open titles—and Bartolomé "Barto" Castagnola. They are the favourites to repeat their 2025 success.
With a 37-goal line-up made up of brothers Facundo and Gonzalo Pieres, and cousins Antonio and Cruz Heguy. They aim to blend experience with the freshness of the new generation, a formula that yielded great results in 2025 as they reached the finals in both Tortugas and Palermo. This year, they dream of capturing one of the crowns at stake.
Solidly positioned at 35 goals, featuring Rufino Bensadón, Lucas "Lukin" Monteverde, and veterans David Stirling and Juan Martín Nero, winners of the Argentine Open 10 and 12 times respectively. They boast a strong defensive structure and top-tier offensive firepower to dream big.
An interesting sibling combination: Hilario and Carlos María Ulloa, alongside Benjamín and Tomás Panelo. They will look to be contenders and fight for a spot in the finals.
Another historic club, La Aguada, will field Iñaki Laprida, Alfredo Bigatti, Bautista Bayugar, and Joaquín Pittaluga. They bring experience in the hunt for strong results and staying in contention.
La Ensenada has proven to be a major contender in past seasons and will look to continue down that path. They feature young yet experienced players dreaming of pulling off an upset: Diego Cavanagh, Juan Britos, Juan Martín Zubía, and Jerónimo del Carril.
A team that left a very strong impression in previous years and has now earned the right to play the full Triple Crown for the first time. One of their main strengths will be having played together for several years. Their line-up features Kristos Magrini, Facundo Cruz Losa, Pedrinho Zacharias, and Felipe Vercellino.
Making its debut appearance at the highest level, this team features 4 seasoned players bringing an interesting blend of styles: Victorino Ruiz Jorba, Gonzalo Ferrari, Francisco Elizalde, and Teodoro Lacau.
In parallel with the start of Hurlingham, the circuit will put the final vacant spots up for grabs to complete the elite main draw of the Tortugas and Palermo Opens. Between September 24 and October 2, eight teams divided into two zones will contest the Qualifying Tournament in search of the two coveted spots that will allow them to rub shoulders with the best teams in the world.
The curtain is about to rise on the highest expression of this sport anywhere in the globe. The best players on the planet are putting the finishing touches on their details, ponies, and strategies for a showdown that promises to be historic. Everything is set for passion, skill, and polo glory to write an unforgettable chapter.
