The 16th edition of the Gold Cup tournament will see six teams compete on the grounds of Al Habtoor Polo Club until the 22nd of February 2025.
The highly anticipated opening match of the Gold Cup 2025 delivered a spectacular showdown as Dubai Wolves clashed with Bangash Polo in an electrifying battle. Fresh off their Silver Cup 2025 victory, Dubai Wolves entered the field with confidence, but Bangash Polo was determined to challenge the reigning champions.
Bangash Polo applied relentless pressure, with Potobsky anchoring a solid defensive front. However, it was Benjamin Panelo who broke through their defense, securing the first goal of the tournament. Bangash quickly regained momentum, equalizing before the end of the first chukker and then seizing the lead through the second and third chukkers with a series of well-executed plays.
But the Dubai Wolves were far from done. After the halftime break, they returned with renewed energy, charging through Bangash's defenses and dominating the final chukkers. With a commanding performance, Dubai Wolves turned the tide and sealed a thrilling victory, proving once again why they are a force to be reckoned with this season.
A spectacular start to the Gold Cup—if this match is anything to go by, fans are in for an unforgettable tournament!
Match Progression: Dubai Wolves vs. Bangash Dodson & Horrell
1 – 1 | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 | 7 – 7 | 10 – 9
Top scorer: Benjamin Panelo
The second match of the day saw Habtoor Polo take on UAE Polo in an intense showdown, with both teams displaying exceptional skill, precision, and relentless determination. From the first throw-in, it was a battle of strategy and endurance, with high-paced plays and nail-biting moments keeping the crowd on edge.
The Bayugar brothers worked in seamless tandem, relentlessly breaking through UAE Polo’s defensive line, while Juan Jaureche struck first for Habtoor Polo, setting the tone for an electrifying match. Lucas Monteverde followed up with two more goals, giving Habtoor Polo an early edge. But UAE Polo was quick to respond, matching their pace and pushing back with strong offensive drives.
As the game progressed, both teams found their rhythm, delivering an exhilarating back-and-forth battle across the field. Habtoor Polo held the lead through the third and fourth chukkers, but the tension skyrocketed in the final moments. UAE Polo launched a stunning comeback, equalizing just in time before sealing the match with two decisive goals in the last chukker.
A heart-stopping finish to an incredible match—this game was a testament to the skill, resilience, and sheer excitement of the Gold Cup 2025!
Match Progression: Habtoor Polo vs. UAE Polo
2 – 1 | 3 – 4 | 7 – 4 | 9 – 8 | 10 – 12
Top scorer: Rosendo Torreguitar
The next qualification matches of the Gold Cup 2025 will be on the 6th of February:
15:30 – Jehangiri Polo vs. Ghantoot Polo
GOLD CUP SPONSORS
Main Sponsor
BENTLEY
Bentley Emirates has been the official dealer and sole authorized importer for Bentley Motors in the UAE since 1983. Operating as a part of Al Habtoor Motors Prestige Division, Bentley Emirates held the title for “Number 1 Dealer in the World” for seven consecutive years (2011 – 2017), and regained the title again in 2019. In 2022, Bentley Emirates won ‘Retailer of the Year’ and ‘Sales Retailer of the Year’ at the Middle East and Africa Bentley Regional Dealer Conference. Officially launched in 2016, Bentley Dubai Showroom is the largest Bentley showroom in the world. Another state-of-the-art showroom was opened in Abu Dhabi later in 2020.
With four decades’ experience in the luxury automotive market, Al Habtoor Motors is one of the leading automobile distributors in the UAE, recognized with providing exceptional quality and first-class service. Al Habtoor Motors also has one of the largest aftersales facilities in the world, located in Dubai Industrial City.
Co-Sponsors
Salama Structural Engineering
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
Accenture Investment Group (AIG)
is a privately owned, hospitality company with more than 300 employees. The company manages a portfolio of hospitality brands across the United Arab Emirates, and provide investor and hospitality career opportunities to our partners and associates.
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 consumer’s 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 L.L.C, 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.
Official Apparel Sponsor
U.S. Polo Assn.
U.S. Polo Assn. is proud to be the Official Apparel sponsor of the 2025 Dubai Polo Gold Cup. Sold in over 190 countries, U.S. Polo Assn. is the official apparel brand of the United States Polo Association and offers sport-inspired, classic American styling to men, women, and children. To learn more about the brand and the sport of polo, visit tr.uspoloassn.com.
Website: tr.uspoloassn.com and follow @uspoloassn
Media Partners
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/
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/
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/