All eyes are on the Dubai Gold Cup final on Saturday…and polo celebrates the champions

Tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, all eyes will turn to the fields of the Al Habtoor Polo and Equestrian Club and Resort, where Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will lead the UAE team in the final match of the 2026 Dubai Gold Cup against the “Dubai Thera Wolves” team, after a successful journey for both teams in a tournament with a high rating of handicap (20 joules).

The President of the Emirates Polo Federation, Mohammed Khalaf Al Habtoor, confirmed that the six participating teams presented advanced levels that reflect the increase in performance year after year, pointing out that the Emirates teams and the “Dubai Thira Wolves” deserved to reach the final after strong performances and highly skilled players tipped the balance in the favor of their teams.

The conclusion turns into an integrated sports and entertainment carnival that combines polo, music, acrobatics and fashion shows, family and children’s competitions, in addition to laser shows and fireworks, in a festive atmosphere carefully prepared by the organizing committee, while the sponsor presents an artistic program that extends until midnight.

Tomorrow’s program includes a consolation cup match between the Al Habtoor and Ghantoot teams, before the expected confrontation for the Championship Cup title.

On the other hand, the curtain came down on a busy season for the sport of polo at a closing ceremony organized by the Al Habtoor Polo and Equestrian Club and Resort at the Al Habtoor Palace Hotel, amid an official and sporting presence led by the Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, Saeed Hareb, the President of the Polo Federation, Mohammed Khalaf Al Habtoor, and the Secretary General of the Federation, Mohammed Al Hariz Al Murr, along with horse owners, polo and equestrian stars, and the honorees.

The ceremony witnessed the honoring of 28 distinguished and creative personalities, teams and sponsoring companies during the past season, in a celebratory evening preceding the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, which reflected the extent of the technical and organizational successes that had been achieved, and consolidated the country’s position on the regional and international polo map.

Mohammed Khalaf Al Habtoor expressed his happiness with the important gains the season yielded, stressing that these successes enhance the UAE’s chances of success in hosting the 2026 Polo World Cup.

Al Habtoor extended his thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Ghantoot Polo and Equestrian Club, to Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Team, and to Sheikha Alia Al Maktoum, praising their continued support for the sport of polo, in addition to the country’s clubs and friendly teams whose participation contributed to doubling the season’s gains.

He stressed that the Federation and the clubs are keen to support the buds and promising talents of male and female national players, whether in polo or equestrian, stressing that the ceremony was the culmination of the efforts of an exceptional season full of achievements.