Newport International Polo Series, sponsored by Turkish Airlines has proudly hosted over 32 different countries throughout its 32 year history. Debuting in 2012, Italy has become a perennial fan-favorite every summer. Rhode Island is steep in Italian heritage and tradition dating back to the 1860s. To this day the City of Johnston has the high Italian municipality in the United States with over 46% residents of Italian descent.
Polo has been a devoted pastime in Italy originating circa 1915 on the Island of Brioni. In 1930 The Rome Polo Club was founded in the shadows of the Vatican and the Colosseum. The club remains open to the public for tournaments today.
Accompanied by a fleet of Lamborghinis, sponsored by Herb Chambers Exotics, Italy is eyeing to avenge their defeat last summer versus USA. A win will put them back in the winning column when they last beat USA in 2019. A historic roster of past players and scores can be viewed here. Stay after the match for an après polo celebration with the teams consisting of a complimentary toast by Gosling Rum and The Cocktail Guru in the Modern Luxury Lounge, and a catered Italian Menu by renowned Amano Pizza and Gelato. Tickets are available here.
On the eve of the match, Friday July 21, supporters are invited to join the USA and Italian players for A Sunset Cocktail Meet and Greet at new classic Brenton Hotel’s picturesque rooftop from 6:30-8:30pm, by RSVP. Cash bar. Please RSVP to attend the event. Capacity and other limitations may apply. Weather permitting. Limited valet parking on street level; additional parking is available at the adjacent Visitor Center lot parking.
TEAM ITALY:
Alice Coria –Alice Coria is anItalian-Argentinian player living in Milan, working her family’s company founded by her grandfather Orazio Annunziata. Coria has been playing polo since she was a little kid to follow after her dad who also is a professional polo player. Coria is currently on the Mimosa Polo Club with her brother and cousin making it her second home.
Giacomo Galantino – Giacomo Galantino was born in 1993 and was born in a family with a strong bond with the sport of polo. In fact, he began riding at the age of five and never stopped playing polo thanks to his dad who owns 2 polo clubs in Italy. Galantino has played in the most important tournament in Italy and with the national Italian team in Europe.
Giorgio Cosentino – Giorgio Cosention often plays in Tuscany despite living in Trani. Cosentino is the captain of teams, Villa a Sesta / Pier.Gio.
Marco M. Elser- Marco M. Elser has been living in Italy since 1984. With his brother Massimo, they created Acquedotto Romano Polo Club, a two-hundred-acre polo facility at the last stop of Rome’s Metro C subway. They organized earlier this month POLO for the CURE to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Be on the lookout for the Team Italy’s itinerary to see where you can catch up with the players on their Newport Tour, published in the summer weekly eMagazine. While the possibilities are endless to plan your Italian-themed polo picnic for a chance at Stella Artois Best in Show – nothing stands out better than the green, white, and red of the Italian flag, nor tastes better than bruschetta and burrata paired with the oaky undertones of Sangiovese. View photos of previous themes.
Newport Polo is the home of the Westchester Polo Club, America’s first polo club, offering exhibition polo and club member services for outdoor & arena polo, and polo instruction. Est. in 1876, founding member of the United States Polo Assoc, host of the Newport International Polo Series. Spectator audiences enjoy the athletic display and horsemanship every Saturday in June thru Sept. at 5 PM / 4 PM in Sept. Minutes from downtown Newport, the International Polo Grounds are located at historic Glen Farm, 250 Linden Lane (off of Rte. 138) in Portsmouth, RI.
Info about the Polo Series, our venue, concessions & amenities, and other information can be found in the About us section.