Polo on the Costa del Sol — Sotogrande, Marbella & Benahavís

Why the Costa del Sol is a Polo Hub

Thanks to its climate, international flight connections and long-established clubs, the coast between
Sotogrande and Marbella has become a natural magnet for polo players and spectators. The summer
tournament season draws teams and visitors from across Europe and beyond, while milder months offer
ideal conditions for schooling, stick-and-ball and low-goal chukkas.

For many residents based in Benahavís, the combination of golf, riding and occasional trips to watch
(or play) polo in Sotogrande creates a balanced sporting lifestyle, without needing to live directly
beside the fields.

Key Polo Clubs on the Costa del Sol

The main polo activity is centred around Sotogrande, roughly an hour to ninety minutes by car from Benahavís depending on traffic and exact starting point. Three names come up again and again:

• Santa María Polo Club (Sotogrande) — Long regarded as one of Europe’s leading polo venues, with multiple grass fields across sites such as Los Pinos and Río Sotogrande. The club hosts high-profile summer tournaments and international events, alongside corporate and lifestyle happenings during the season.
• Ayala Polo Club — Also in the Sotogrande area, Ayala runs an extensive tournament calendar, including the International Polo Tournament with Bronze, Silver and Gold Cups, attracting players from around the world. Modern facilities and well-kept grounds make it a key reference point for serious players.
• Polo Valley — A polo resort on the outskirts of Sotogrande that combines tuition, horses and relaxed Andalusian countryside living. It is popular with newcomers who want to learn polo from scratch as well as experienced riders looking for intensive training or short stays focused on the sport.

Together, these clubs anchor the Costa del Sol on the international polo map and ensure there is almost always something happening during the main season.

Polo Season & Spectator Experience

The peak polo season typically runs through late spring and summer, with highlight tournaments in July and August. Expect a mix of day and evening matches, family-friendly entertainment, hospitality areas and pop-up retail around the main fields, especially during major international events.

Many residents from Marbella and Benahavís treat polo days as full outings: driving down for an afternoon of sport, enjoying food and drinks on-site, and then heading back up the coast in the evening. It is worth checking each club’s calendar in advance, as formats and dates can vary from year to year.

Living in Benahavís, Playing in Sotogrande

One of the advantages of basing yourself in Benahavís is that you can enjoy a quiet, countryside lifestyle with quick access to both Marbella and Estepona, yet still be within realistic driving distance of the Sotogrande polo fields. For many owners, this is preferable to living directly beside the clubs, especially if family members also play golf, prefer beach clubs or work in and around Marbella.

If you ride yourself, you might split your time between local equestrian centres in Benahavís and occasional polo sessions or chukkas down the coast. Our Horse Riding & Ownership in Benahavís guide covers local riding options, livery and paperwork in more detail.

When it comes to choosing a home, it can be useful to focus on properties that combine good road access with space for horses or easy reach of boarding facilities. The equestrian properties for sale near stables in Benahavís collection is a helpful starting point if you want a base that supports both local riding and regular
polo trips.

Practical Tips for Polo Enthusiasts

Whether you plan to play or simply watch, a few practical points help you make the most of polo on the Costa del Sol:

• Check club calendars for tournament dates, start times and any ticketing requirements.
• Allow extra time for parking and walking to the main fields during major events.
• Dress comfortably but smartly for summer evenings; wedges or flats are usually more practical than heels on grass.
• If you are interested in lessons or intensive polo holidays, reach out to resorts such as Polo Valley well ahead of peak season.

For riders already based in Benahavís, combining local hacks, arena work and the occasional day of
polo in Sotogrande can be a rewarding way to enjoy the wider equestrian scene along the coast.