03 February 2025 - DUBAI, UAE: The official fixture for the highly anticipated 2025 Gold Cup Dubai Open was revealed during the annual press conference and live draw at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort hotel. The event brought together teams, sponsors, and members of the media, marking the start of an exciting journey towards one of the region’s most prestigious polo tournaments.
Returning from 5 to 22 February, the Dubai Open will showcase high-stakes competition with a 20-goal handicap. This year, six elite teams will vie for the prestigious championship trophy, promising an exhilarating display of skill and sportsmanship.
A flagship event of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series (DPGCS), the Gold Cup enjoys international recognition and accreditation from the esteemed World Polo Tour (WPT). As part of the elite WPT Championship Cup, it offers some of the highest-ranking points in global polo, attracting world-class players and delivering top-tier competition.
The DPGCS, a key pillar of the UAE Polo Federation, adheres to the highest standards set by the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA). Every match is officiated by certified HPA umpires, ensuring fair play and a world-class tournament experience. More than just a sporting event, the Gold Cup represents excellence, tradition, and the dynamic spirit of Dubai’s polo scene.
The 2025 Dubai Open is proudly supported by a distinguished group of sponsors. Bentley leads as the main sponsor, joined by co-sponsors Salama Engineering, J&I, and Diamondlease, alongside Cafu.
The classic, sport-inspired global U.S. Polo Assn. brand serves as the official apparel sponsor, adding to the tournament's distinctive identity. Further amplifying the event’ reach, Pololine TV and Al Badia join as valued media partners, amplifying the reach and coverage of the Dubai Open.
This year’s press conference featured an esteemed panel, including Saeed Bin Drai, Vice President of the UAE Polo Federation, alongside Joseph Tayar, Director of Bentley Emirates, and Santiago Torreguitar, Tournament Director of the UAE Polo Federation.
Mr. Joseph Tayer highlighted that the partnership truly embodies its core values, showcasing a deep commitment to excellence in every aspect of the occasion. “As a brand that embodies luxury, performance, and innovation, we are proud to be associated with an event that embodies the same values.”
He goes on to say, “And let us not forget, the Polo Gold Cup is also an opportunity for us to enjoy quality time outdoors with our families and friends.”
Participating Teams - Gold Cup 2025:
-
Bangash Polo Team: Patron Haider Bangash
-
Dubai Wolves Polo Team: Patron Habtoor Al Habtoor
-
Ghantoot Polo Team: Patron Nasser Al Shamsi
-
Habtoor Polo Team: Patron Mohammed Al Habtoor
-
UAE Polo Team: Patron Her Highness Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
-
Jehangiri Polo Team: Patron Muhammad Jehangiri
MAIN SPONSOR
Bentley Emirates
Bentley Emirates, the largest Bentley Dealer in the world is the. As part of the Prestige Cars Division of Al Habtoor Motors, Bentley Emirates have been the sole authorized importer of Bentley motor cars in the UAE since 1982. Driven by professionalism, quality and high standards, Bentley Emirates continues to serve with utmost confidence and is poised to scale even greater heights.
Bentley Emirates is set to open the doors to its new state of the art showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road the 2nd quarter of this year. This exciting development will be the first of its kind of automobile showroom experience where customers will not only come to see the range of vehicles but as well experience the World of Bentley. Al Habtoor Motors also recently opened the world’s first Bentley Cafe & Boutique in heart of Dubai Marina on the ground floor of Al Habtoor Business Tower. It provides a perfect venue to mirror the elements that make up Bentley's DNA, which has both contemporary and classic elements.
About Al Habtoor Motors - Prestige Cars Division
Part of the well-established, Dubai based business conglomerate Al Habtoor Group, the Prestige Cars Division is the official dealer of some of the world's coveted marques namely Bentley, Bugatti and McLaren in the UAE.
Website: www.dubai.bentleymotors.com
CO-SPONSORS
Salama Structural Engineers
SSE, established in 1987, in Cairo, Egypt. Is a professional engineering consulting firm working with the mission to provide engineering services in several specific market segments including Industrial, retail, residential, Government, Educational, Hospitality, HealthCare and Development Services.
Website: www.sseweb.ae
J&I
J&I is a leading Korean company dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for customers by providing high-quality cosmetics and skincare solutions. At J&I, our vision is to revolutionize skincare by combining science, tradition, and innovation. We aim to enhance customer quality of life through high-quality skincare solutions, foster sustainable growth while maintaining trust and drive continuous innovation through advanced research and development to meet the consumers demands. J&I is dedicated to eco-friendly innovation by implementing sustainable practices in manufacturing and raw material sourcing. Our commitment to environmental responsibility includes using ethically sourced natural ingredients, minimizing environmental impact through sustainable production processes and prioritizing biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials. J&I actively collaborates with international partners to expand its global reach and provide top-tier skincare solutions to customers worldwide. By combining innovation, tradition, and sustainability, we ensure that our products remain competitive and accessible in the international cosmetics industry.
Website: https://www.carevise.co.kr/
Diamond Lease
Diamondlease a fully owned subsidiary of the Al Habtoor Group, was established in 1996 to offer automotive rental and leasing solutions, as an alternative to owning and maintaining vehicles, to Corporate and Individual customers in the UAE. Diamond lease serves more than 700 companies and multinational conglomerates operating in UAE, handling and managing their transportation requirements.
Diamondlease is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company with a fleet of over 8400 vehicles. It was the first local Car Rental Company in UAE to receive an ISO certification and has proudly held the accreditation since 1999. In recognition of its sound business ethics and outstanding customer service, Diamondlease was one of the first car rental companies to have been nominated as a member of the prestigious Dubai Service Excellence Scheme (DSES) in 2003. Diamondlease has been awarded the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Travel Awards being adjudged the “Best Car Rental Company” – Local Brand for 7 years in a row.
Website: www.diamondlease.com
Official Apparel Sponsor
U.S. Polo Assn.
U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the non-profit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through over 1,200 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores and thousands of department stores, sporting goods channels, independent retailers, and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women, and children, as well as accessories and footwear in more than 190 countries worldwide. U.S. Polo Assn. was named one of the top global sports licensors alongside the NFL, NBA, and MLB, according to License Global.
Website: uspoloassnglobal.com
Follow @uspoloassn
MEDIA PARTNERS
POLO LINE TV
PLTV is the first online streaming polo site, broadcasting over 25 tournaments LIVE per year around the globe, reaching +200k viewers. The production and edition of exclusive content makes PLTV the most comprehensive polo channel in the world.
Website: https://www.pololine.tv/
Al Badia
Since 2008, Al Badia, the prestigious Arabic venture is devoted to bringing the latest news and views on the equestrian world, Polo sporting and lifestyle. In fact, it is a tribute to the age-old passion for the thoroughbred, an integral part of the rich Arabian culture.
Al Badia focuses a gamut of information on the highly valued sport of horseracing, including information about events taking place in the Arab world and about organizations and services sought by equestrians of all disciplines. Besides being a specialized lifestyle magazine to meet the refined taste of the equestrian community, it features a wide range of information including very exclusive coverages like interviews of the Sheikhs and the who’s who of the Arab world. It targets the crème de la crème of the society and is widely circulated across different regions of the Gulf & Middle East.
Al Badia is a good platform to showcase premium brands, as it has a wide readership comprising sports enthusiasts, socialites, eminent personalities, celebrities and the royalty.
Website: http://albadiamagazine.com/
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Dubai Sports Council:
Dubai Sports Council is the official government body responsible for the development of the sport sector in the Emirate of Dubai. Under the Chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and its 14 Board Members; the Council supervises the work of nine local clubs in Dubai, six of which practice a variety of individual and or team sports, such as football, handball and archery; in addition to the chess club and a club devoted for those with special needs.
Since its inception in 2006, with the vision of creating a unique sporting community, the Council organizes various annual major Sports Championships and Conferences, in cooperation with multiple International/National sports bodies and Dubai Government Entities, such as the Dubai International Sports Conference, Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup and the FINA Diving World Series; in an attempt to enhance the culture, knowledge and expertise of professionalism in all aspects of the field; from the overall preparation and/or execution of the event.
Dubai became the first Arab and Middle East city to host the Sport Accord International Convention in 2010, and stages the annual Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, the most prestigious Award of the Middle East Region. Though the Council works on various major international sports events, it does not overlook the importance of spreading the awareness of a healthier, more active lifestyle locally; and in order to achieve such objectives, physical activity programs and initiatives, such as the Dubai Pulse Physical Activity program, the Furjan District Championships and the Dubai Beach Soccer League, have all been designed to target the various communities within the Emirate.
Website: www.dsc.ae
UAE Polo Federation
The UAE Polo Federation is the official governing body of the sport of polo in the United Arab Emirates. The association has been organized to promote the game of polo with the goal of improving the sport, coordinating the activities of its affiliated clubs and registered players and providing rules, handicaps and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, including the safety of participants.
Website: www.uaepolofederation.com/