Pilot player plays the ball in the U.S. Open Polo Championship final in their win against La Elina at the International Polo Club, now USPA National Polo Center- Wellington.
Photo by Yaroslav Sabitov/ Sipa USA/ Alamy Live News
The U.S. Polo Association has bought the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, which now will be called the USPA National Polo Center-Wellington, or NPC. The USPA bought the facilities and core assets from Wellington Equestrian Partners for $95 million. The 161-acre purchase includes several fields, the clubhouse shop, and the social club and its amenities, including a pool, a gym and tennis courts.
The sale is part of the Wellington 3.0 strategy, which focuses on building a long-term success plan for Wellington and the equestrian venues and lifestyle elements associated with it, Wellington Equestrian Partners managing partner Mark Bellissimo said. “We chose the USPA over competing offers and real estate development strategies to ensure that this fundamental pillar of the Wellington equestrian domain will be here for the next 100 years.”
Local officials are excited about the USPA’s involvement in the community. Wellington Village Manager Jim Barnes said, “Wellington welcomes the USPA’s purchase of the former IPC facility and the establishment of the National Polo Center, which will ensure polo’s permanent and important presence in the village for the mutual benefit of the polo community and village residents.”
The NPC will still host the Gauntlet of Polo but also intends to use the facility to help grow players at the medium- and low-goal levels. The facility will enable the USPA to host tournaments, develop young players and build a community that will attract and retain players and sponsors across all levels.
The USPA plans to open the annual season in October, beginning with the Federation of International Polo World Championship. It will be the second time the United States is hosting and the first time in 24 years. The event will attract players and spectators from across the globe.
