I went to a polo match in one of the wealthiest towns in the US where tickets cost up to $1,000. Here's what it was like.

Anastasia Mills HealySep 14, 2022, 20:13 IST

Writer Anastasia Mills Healy attended a polo players at the iconic Greenwich Polo Club.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

I recently went to a polo match in Greenwich, Connecticut, one of America's wealthiest towns.
The lowest ticket prices start at $50 per car and go up to $1,000 for access to the Players' Lounge.

One of the world's most spectacular settings for high-goal polo is located in Greenwich, Connecticut — nestled among tree-lined roads and chateau-style mansions, less than an hour's drive from Manhattan.

When you see the sign for White Birch Farm, you're close to the polo club.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

One of the world's most spectacular settings for high-goal polo is located in Greenwich, Connecticut — nestled among tree-lined roads and chateau-style mansions, less than an hour's drive from Manhattan.

I've attended polo matches here for years, and recently went to one of the club's Sunday matches with my daughter.

Have your ticket barcode ready to be scanned at the entrance to the field.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

When I came to my first polo match here years ago, I noticed how large the field was. For perspective, a football field is 100 yards while a polo field like this one is 300 yards.

The polo field is three times as large as a standard American football field.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

When I came to my first polo match here years ago, I noticed how large the field was. For perspective, a football field is 100 yards while a polo field like this one is 300 yards.

We saw people setting up chairs and picnics on the East Lawn, which is about a five-minute walk from the parking area.

The East Lawn is on the opposite side of the field from the Grandstand and food and drink booths.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

I've been to this club many times, but I think finding where you're supposed to sit can be confusing for first-time spectators because the reserved seating areas are labeled only by small signs.

There's some signage but first-time attendees might be confused about where to go at first.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

I've been to this club many times, but I think finding where you're supposed to sit can be confusing for first-time spectators because the reserved seating areas are labeled only by small signs.

The Grandstand is at the center of the field and I think it has easy access to food, bathrooms, and everything else on the West Lawn.

The Grandstand on the West Lawn.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

At the ground level of the Grandstand, we found refreshments and a retail shop.

Refreshments and club merchandise are available at the ground level of the Grandstand.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

Before the match, we walked around the West Lawn and checked out attendees' picnic setups.

Some spectators added a silver candelabra to their food spread.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

We sat in the Players' Lounge Suite at the far end of the west side of the field — these tickets cost $1,000 and include five car passes and reserved shaded seating for 10.

Waiting to check in at the Players' Lounge.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

We sat in the Players' Lounge Suite at the far end of the west side of the field — these tickets cost $1,000 and include five car passes and reserved shaded seating for 10.

In the Players' Lounge, the bar offers beverages including a $22 glass of Taittinger Brut Champagne and a $16 Aperol Spritz.

Inside the Players' Lounge.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

The two-person band Mojo was playing hits from the `90s through today in the Players' Lounge as we arrived.

The band Mojo in action in the Players' Lounge.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

In addition to the bar that's exclusive to the Players' Lounge, there are more food and drink options available to all attendees.

Food truck offerings included tacos, pizza, gyros, and ice cream.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

I saw that there was a perpetual line for cocktails at the Pony Bar located next to the Grandstand.

The line for cocktails at the Pony Bar.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

Guests could preorder gourmet snack boxes, or look for teens pulling a red wagon and flag them down for a $32 lobster roll.

Lobster rolls come to you — no need to wait in line.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

Children are welcome at the club, and stay entertained with corn hole, snacks, and running around the field at halftime.

Corn hole was set up on the lawn and enjoyed by young guests.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

Dogs are also welcome if they remain on leashes.

Dogs are welcome as long as they're on leashes.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

There's no dress code for polo matches at the Greenwich Polo Club, but spectators definitely dressed for the occasion.

Floral dresses, hats, and selfies are all part of the polo experience.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

There were no conventional restrooms available during matches, just portable restroom trailers.

The restroom trailers set up for the match.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

A few minutes past 3 p.m., the players took the field for the national anthem and then the match started.

The match began just after 3 p.m.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

At halftime just before 4 p.m., spectators were invited to walk on the field and stomp the divots, which are chunks of grass and dirt that horses kick up as they gallop.

During the break in play halfway through the match, spectators are invited onto the field to stomp divots.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

At halftime just before 4 p.m., spectators were invited to walk on the field and stomp the divots, which are chunks of grass and dirt that horses kick up as they gallop.

The match ended at 5 p.m. and a platform was set up in front of the Grandstand for an awards ceremony. The players' families joined them on stage, and media and guests gathered around to enjoy the celebration.

The awards ceremony follows the match.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

The match ended at 5 p.m. and a platform was set up in front of the Grandstand for an awards ceremony. The players' families joined them on stage, and media and guests gathered around to enjoy the celebration.

Polo can be an expensive outing given the ticket cost and food and drink prices at the club, but if you're a fan of the sport, it's worth catching a match at the Greenwich Polo Club, and makes for a fun and social way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Polo at the Greenwich Club always makes for an enjoyable afternoon.Anastasia Mills Healy for Insider

Polo can be an expensive outing given the ticket cost and food and drink prices at the club, but if you're a fan of the sport, it's worth catching a match at the Greenwich Polo Club, and makes for a fun and social way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

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I went to a polo match in one of the wealthiest towns in the US where tickets cost up to $1,000. Here's what it was like.

One of the world's most spectacular settings for high-goal polo is located in Greenwich, Connecticut — nestled among tree-lined roads and chateau-style mansions, less than an hour's drive from Manhattan.

I've attended polo matches here for years, and recently went to one of the club's Sunday matches with my daughter.

When I came to my first polo match here years ago, I noticed how large the field was. For perspective, a football field is 100 yards while a polo field like this one is 300 yards.

We saw people setting up chairs and picnics on the East Lawn, which is about a five-minute walk from the parking area.

I've been to this club many times, but I think finding where you're supposed to sit can be confusing for first-time spectators because the reserved seating areas are labeled only by small signs.

The Grandstand is at the center of the field and I think it has easy access to food, bathrooms, and everything else on the West Lawn.

At the ground level of the Grandstand, we found refreshments and a retail shop.

Before the match, we walked around the West Lawn and checked out attendees' picnic setups.

We sat in the Players' Lounge Suite at the far end of the west side of the field — these tickets cost $1,000 and include five car passes and reserved shaded seating for 10.

In the Players' Lounge, the bar offers beverages including a $22 glass of Taittinger Brut Champagne and a $16 Aperol Spritz.

The two-person band Mojo was playing hits from the `90s through today in the Players' Lounge as we arrived.

In addition to the bar that's exclusive to the Players' Lounge, there are more food and drink options available to all attendees.

I saw that there was a perpetual line for cocktails at the Pony Bar located next to the Grandstand.

Guests could preorder gourmet snack boxes, or look for teens pulling a red wagon and flag them down for a $32 lobster roll.

Children are welcome at the club, and stay entertained with corn hole, snacks, and running around the field at halftime.

Dogs are also welcome if they remain on leashes.

There's no dress code for polo matches at the Greenwich Polo Club, but spectators definitely dressed for the occasion.

There were no conventional restrooms available during matches, just portable restroom trailers.

A few minutes past 3 p.m., the players took the field for the national anthem and then the match started.

At halftime just before 4 p.m., spectators were invited to walk on the field and stomp the divots, which are chunks of grass and dirt that horses kick up as they gallop.

The match ended at 5 p.m. and a platform was set up in front of the Grandstand for an awards ceremony. The players' families joined them on stage, and media and guests gathered around to enjoy the celebration.

Polo can be an expensive outing given the ticket cost and food and drink prices at the club, but if you're a fan of the sport, it's worth catching a match at the Greenwich Polo Club, and makes for a fun and social way to spend a Sunday afternoon.