Bombay Gymkhana revives century-old polo tradition in 2026 championship
The Standard Chartered Bombay Gymkhana Arena Polo Championship 2026 will mark a historic revival of a near-century-old tradition. Scheduled for May 10, 2026, the event celebrates 150 years of Bombay Gymkhana, one of India’s oldest sporting institutions. This year’s championship also honours the club’s founders, Captain E. L. Maryyat and Lieutenant C. L. Young, who established it in 1875. The championship will unfold at the Bombay Gymkhana Grounds on a Sunday evening, running from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. For the first time, the match will be played under floodlights, adding a modern twist to the sport’s traditional daytime setting. The two competing sides—Team Captain E. L. Maryyat and Team Lieutenant C. L. Young—will vie for the Bombay Polo Challenge Cup, a trophy first introduced in 1882.
The arena polo format features four chukkers, with each team fielding three players. The game retains its classic appeal, played on the venue’s historic greens, where polo was once a staple of colonial-era sporting life. Organisers have framed the event as both a tribute to the club’s legacy and a revival of a competition last held nearly 100 years ago. Founded in 1875, Bombay Gymkhana has long been a cornerstone of Indian sports. The 2026 championship underscores its enduring influence, blending heritage with contemporary spectacle. The club’s anniversary celebrations will coincide with the tournament, highlighting its role in shaping polo and other disciplines over a century and a half.
The championship will showcase arena polo in a fresh light, with floodlit play and a nod to history. The winning team will claim the Bombay Polo Challenge Cup, a prize with roots dating back to 1882. The event also serves as a centrepiece for the club’s 150th-anniversary festivities, reinforcing its status as a landmark in Indian sporting culture.
