AlUla Secures Premier Status in Desert Polo with La Dolfina Partnership

Newly penned strategic agreement builds on rich synergy that exists between RCU and La Dolfina as leading exponents of desert polo, with top Argentine players and coaching staff helping to nurture the sector in northwest Arabia.

Signed in the build-up to the annual Richard Mille Desert Polo tournament, agreement will showcase AlUla’s sporting ambitions to a global audience while laying the groundwork for exciting new developments within equestrian sector.

AlUla, Saudi Arabia – The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has entered into a strategic partnership with renowned Argentine polo team, La Dolfina. The agreement, inked during the third edition of the Richard Mille Desert Polo tournament from 17-20 January, aims to bolster AlUla’s standing as the premier destination for desert polo and other heritage and equestrian sports.

As part of the collaboration, La Dolfina will play a pivotal role in the establishment of a new Polo Academy in AlUla. The team, boasting star player Adolfo Cambiaso among its ranks, will also design and implement training programs for the local community, visitors, and Saudis interested in learning polo, under the guidance of top-notch coaches and players. La Dolfina will additionally contribute horses for participation in polo tournaments in AlUla.

The partnership, sure to capture global attention, signifies a transformative phase for the growth of polo, especially in the desert setting of AlUla. La Dolfina’s expertise is expected to fuel technical advancements, attracting players, teams, and enthusiasts to AlUla’s evolving equestrian landscape, including facilities like the Al Fursan Village.

Ziad Alsuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, expressed delight over the collaboration, stating, “The new strategic partnership with La Dolfina will significantly contribute to the growth of desert polo in AlUla, establishing northwest Arabia as the premier winter destination for equestrian sports.”

The benefits of this alliance extend beyond sports, supporting cultural traditions around horses in Saudi Arabia, expanding tourism into new markets, generating economic opportunities for the community, and fostering local pride in AlUla’s regeneration. With La Dolfina becoming part of AlUla’s network of international partners, the region aims to elevate equestrian sports to new levels of sophistication, participation, and excitement. The upcoming Richard Mille Desert Polo tournament further underscores AlUla’s claim as the home of equestrian sports, capable of attracting a global audience and the best players in the field.