U.S. Polo Assn. Pacific Coast Open Returns to Santa Barbara for Another Summer of High-Goal Polo

The 2026 U.S. Polo Assn. Pacific Coast Open is underway at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria, running August 14 through August 30. Five teams are competing for one of the sport's most historic trophies, as the marquee event of the club's high-goal summer season.

Santa Barbara's Longest-Running Polo Tradition

Santa Barbara has had polo since 1894, when the first recorded match was played at the Agricultural Park's Flower Festival. By 1902, the local club had grown to 40 members, and it was formally established and recognized by the United States Polo Association in 1911, making it one of the country's oldest continuing member clubs.

The Pacific Coast Open has a separate history. Its trophy was commissioned in 1908 by members of the Coronado Country Club in Southern California, originally under the name All America Trophy, and the tournament itself was first played in 1909, one of the oldest in the sport.

The trophy moved between California clubs for several decades and took its current name, the Pacific Coast Open Championship Trophy, in 1929. Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club became its permanent host in 1952 and has run the tournament every summer since.

This Year's Pacific Coast Open

The club's facilities today include three polo fields, a Polo School, boarding facilities and the Polo Grill, which overlooks the field. Five teams are competing for the 2026 title: Klentner Ranch, Zahedi Chogan, Mrs. Momma Bear, Delta Defence and La Karina, the defending 2025 champion. Klentner Ranch won the tournament in 2021 and is chasing its fourth title this year, while Mrs. Momma Bear and Zahedi Chogan are both still chasing their first.

The Remaining Schedule:

• August 23, 2026 | 1:00 PM PDT — La Karina (2-0) vs. Delta Defence (0-2)
• August 23, 2026 | 4:00 PM PDT — Mrs. Momma Bear (1-2) vs. Zahedi Chogan (1-1)
• August 28, 2026 | 4:00 PM PDT — Semifinal
• August 30, 2026 | 3:30 PM PDT — Championship final

Sunday matches include a full pre-game program, with gates opening at noon ahead of the Pony Parade, National Anthem and the day's matches. Guests can enjoy the Polo Grill and take part in the traditional divot stomp.

Experience Santa Barbara Beyond the Address

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