ALULA — The golden sands of the AlFursan Equestrian Village are set to transform into a high-stakes arena today, Friday, January 16, 2026, as the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo officially begins. Marking its fifth anniversary, this world-first desert polo tournament has gathered elite international professionals, royal dignitaries, and patrons to compete against the breathtaking backdrop of AlUla’s sandstone canyons.
The 2026 edition features six star-studded teams—including Team AlUla, Dadan, Defender, BFS, Visa, and Budget. The opening day will showcase a grueling schedule of six preliminary matches starting at 1:30 PM (local time), where the 18 competing athletes will battle to secure their place in tomorrow’s Grand Final.
Leading the international charge are legendary 10-goal players like David “Pelón” Stirling Jr. and Pablo MacDonough, alongside the iconic Nacho Figueras and top-ranked female stars Lia Salvo and Catalina Maria Lavinia. Representing the Kingdom’s equestrian heritage, HRH Prince Salman bin Mansour Al Saud will lead Team AlUla, highlighting the fusion of global sporting excellence with Saudi royalty.
Organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in partnership with the Saudi Polo Federation, the event is more than a tournament; it is a luxury spectacle. Beyond the sand arena, guests today will experience curated fine dining, high-fashion pop-ups, and the exclusive “Polo Players Circle” meet-and-greets.
“AlUla is the only place in the world where you can witness this level of horsemanship in such a dramatic, ancient setting,” noted Ziad AlSuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer at RCU. All matches from today’s opening round will be broadcast globally via Pololine.tv, bringing the “Sport of Kings” from the desert to the world.