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The Meier brothers at last! Laplacette sweeps the honours in Gstaad

23 Aug 2026

It took four finals for the Meier brothers to finally lift the giant watch, the trophy of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad. Playing under the colours of Albinati Aeronautics, the two Swiss players defeated Kielder Agro Group (8–7) at the end of a final that remained undecided for much of the match. Alongside them, Adrian Laplacette did even more than win: Best Professional Player, leading scorer of the tournament and rider of the Best Playing Pony, the Argentine almost swept the board.

Good things come to those who wait: after four finals, brothers Fabio and Luca Meier can finally celebrate victory alongside Adrian Laplacette and Facundo Retamar, winners of the 2026 Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad with Albinati Aeronautics. © Der Rote Drache/ Kathrin Gralla

Il était temps !

C’est ce qu’en substance clamaient les frères Meier et Adrian Laplacette au terme d’une finale à l’image de l’ensemble du tournoi : disputée de bout en bout. Après deux demi-finales décidées samedi par un seul goal, dont l’une en prolongation, difficile d’imaginer que cette finale puisse échapper à la règle. Et elle n’y a pas échappé.

Albinati Aeronautics et Kielder Agro Group se sont longtemps neutralisés. 2-2 après le premier chukker, 3-3 à la mi-temps : personne ne parvenait réellement à prendre l’ascendant. Il fallut attendre la fin de la troisième période pour voir Albinati trouver l’ouverture et créer le premier véritable écart de la rencontre (6-4).

Kielder n’avait évidemment pas encore joué ses dernières cartes. Emmenés par un Juan Pepa très actif, dont les longues frappes depuis le milieu du terrain mettaient régulièrement la défense adverse sous pression, les vainqueurs de la demi-finale en mort subite revenaient encore menacer Albinati dans l’ultime période. Mais, cette fois, les hommes de Fabio et Luca Meier ne lâchaient plus leur avantage et conservaient jusqu’au bout ce petit goal qui vaut une Gold Cup : 8-7.

Une victoire qui récompense aussi la patience. Pour Adrian Laplacette, il s’agissait de sa troisième participation à Gstaad. L’Argentin avait déjà connu le goût amer d’une finale perdue ici il y a deux ans. Quant aux Meier, ils couraient après ce trophée depuis encore plus longtemps : « J’avais vraiment très envie de le gagner. Pour ma part, c’était la troisième fois que je jouais ici et j’avais déjà perdu une finale il y a deux ans. Alors réussir enfin à gagner, c’est incroyable. Et puis les gars avaient déjà disputé quatre finales : à la quatrième, c’est enfin passé ! Cela montre qu’il faut insister, continuer. » Une philosophie qui rappelle le célèbre adage attribué à Guillaume le Taciturne : « Il n’est pas besoin d’espérer pour entreprendre, ni de réussir pour persévérer. » Cette fois, la persévérance a payé.

About time!

That was essentially the feeling shared by the Meier brothers and Adrian Laplacette at the end of a final that reflected the tournament as a whole: fiercely contested from start to finish. After Saturday’s two semi-finals had both been decided by a single goal, one of them in overtime, it was difficult to imagine the final being any different. And it wasn’t.

Albinati Aeronautics and Kielder Agro Group remained locked together for much of the match. It was 2–2 after the first chukker and 3–3 at half-time, with neither side able to gain a real advantage. It was not until the end of the third period that Albinati finally found an opening and established the first significant gap of the match (6–4).

Kielder, of course, had not said their last word. Led by a very active Juan Pepa, whose long-range hitting from midfield regularly put the opposing defence under pressure, Saturday’s golden-goal semi-final winners came back to threaten Albinati once again in the final period. But this time Fabio and Luca Meier’s team held onto their advantage, preserving until the final whistle the slender one-goal margin worth a Gold Cup: 8–7.

It was also a victory that rewarded perseverance. For Adrian Laplacette, this was his third appearance in Gstaad. The Argentine had already experienced the bitter taste of losing a final here two years ago. The Meiers had been chasing this trophy for even longer.

“I really wanted to win it. For me, it was my third time playing here and I had already lost a final two years ago. So to finally win it is incredible. And the guys had already played four finals: at the fourth attempt, they finally did it! It shows that you have to keep trying, keep going.”

A philosophy reminiscent of the famous maxim attributed to William the Silent: “It is not necessary to hope in order to undertake, nor to succeed in order to persevere.” This time, perseverance paid off.

Finally the Gold Cup… and almost everything else

And as this was very much Adrian Laplacette’s day, the individual honours were added to the trophy. The Argentine was named Best Professional Player of the tournament, while Ombucito El Padrino, whom he rode in the second half of the third chukker of the final, received the Best Playing Pony award as the outstanding horse of the final.

With 17 goals over the course of the tournament, Laplacette also finished as the leading scorer of this edition, ahead of Gonzalito Pieres with 16. A statistic that sums up his influence throughout the week and adds even greater significance to his first victory in Gstaad.

On the other side, Juan Pepa did not leave empty-handed. Outstanding throughout the tournament, particularly for his defensive work and long clearances from the back position, the Kielder Agro Group captain was named Best Amateur Player.

Pieres salvages third place

A few hours earlier, Gonzalito Pieres had ended his first appearance in Gstaad with a victory. Beaten by the narrowest of margins in Saturday’s semi-final by eventual winners Albinati after a remarkable 11–10 battle, the three-time Argentine Open winner led Hublot to third place with a 7–5 victory over Gstaad Palace.

Trailing 2–1 after the first chukker, Hublot gradually took control, moving 4–3 and then 6–4 ahead before maintaining their two-goal advantage until the final whistle. Once again, Pieres was the driving force behind his team, scoring five of Hublot’s seven goals, including one penalty.

Hublot thus repeated their opening-day victory over the same opponents and allowed their Argentine star to leave Gstaad on the podium. With 16 goals in three matches, Gonza more than lived up to expectations on his first appearance in the Saanenland.

A joy that says so much! At last! © Der Rote Drache/ Kathrin Gralla

Gstaad had even ordered the sunshine

The favourites fell, matches were decided by the finest of margins, the final by a single goal, and the identity of the tournament’s leading scorer remained undecided until the final day: the 2026 edition maintained the suspense right to the very end.

And around the cancha, the atmosphere matched the sporting spectacle. Bright sunshine, a large crowd and the green mountains of the Saanenland as a backdrop: after the concerns caused by occasionally capricious Alpine weather, tournament president Pierre Genecand could finally relax. The one major concern he had expressed before the event had disappeared when it mattered most.

And so the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2026 comes to an end. Four days of sport, suspense, horses and encounters, with that special atmosphere that makes Gstaad a place people come to as much for the polo as for everything surrounding it.

The horses can now leave this unique cancha, set alongside Gstaad Airport. But the dates are already set for 19–22 August 2027, for an edition that is certain to be special: the 30th. Thirty editions of history — and already the promise of a new chapter waiting to be written.

STATISTICS

THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF

TEAM HUBLOT: Rupert KNAUF – GER, 0, Gonzalo PIERES – ARG, 7 (5 goals, including 1 penalty), Alfonso NERO – ARG, 1 and Bautista BEGUERIE – ARG, 6 (2 goals)

TEAM GSTAAD PALACE: Markus GRAEFF – CH, 0, Thommy GRAEFF – CH, 3 (2 goals), Santiago LOZA – ARG, 7 (3 goals, including 1 penalty) and Facundo KELLY – ARG, 4 (2 goals)

Score progression – Team Hublot: 1-2 / 4-3 / 6-4 / 7-5

FINAL

TEAM ALBINATI AERONAUTICS: Luca MEIER – CH, 1 (1 goal), Fabio MEIER – CH, 1 (1 goal), Adrian LAPLACETTE – ARG, 6 (5 goals, including 2 penalties) and Facundo RETAMAR – ARG, 6 (3 goals)

TEAM KIELDER AGRO GROUP: Juan PEPA – IT, 2 (1 goal), Antonio MANZANO – ARG, 0, Manuel FERNANDEZ LLORENTE – ARG, 6 (3 goals) and Horacio FERNANDEZ LLORENTE – ARG, 6 (3 goals)

Score progression – Albinati Aeronautics: 2-2 / 3-3 / 6-4 / 8-7

MVP AMATEUR : Juan Pepa

MVP PROFESSIONAL: Adrian Laplacette

BEST PLAYING PONY: Ombucito El Padrino – bay gelding, born 18 October 2015, bred by El Ombucito S.A. – Sire: Final Meeting; Dam: Ombucito Pasajera – played by Adrian Laplacette in the second half of the third chukker.

Two one-goal semi-finals set up an unpredictable Gstaad final

22 Aug 2026

Two semi-finals, two matches decided by a single goal and a final few would have dared to predict. Albinati Aeronautics first brought down Hublot and its star Gonzalo Pieres after a thrilling encounter (11–10), before Kielder Agro Group knocked out defending champions Gstaad Palace with a golden goal (6–5). Under returning sunshine and in front of a large crowd, Saturday confirmed one thing: rarely has the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad featured four teams so evenly matched.

Adrian Laplacette, who scored six goals, played a major role in securing Albinati Aeronautics’ place in the final. © Pascal Renauldon – R&B Presse

Albinati bring down Hublot and Pieres in a thriller

It took strong nerves to claim the first ticket to the final of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad. At the end of a spectacular semi-final packed with goals and dramatic swings in momentum, Albinati Aeronautics caused the upset by defeating Hublot and Gonzalo Pieres Jr. 11–10.

The two teams initially traded blows (3–3), before Hublot appeared to take control in the second chukker, moving 6–4 ahead. But nothing in this match was settled for long. Four goals in the third period completely turned the situation around, allowing Albinati to enter the final chukker with a one-goal advantage (8–7).

The last period produced a superb mano a mano. With Hublot having drawn level, Adrian Laplacette struck a golazo to put Albinati back in front. Bautista Beguerie responded almost immediately with an equally spectacular goal: 10–10 with less than two minutes remaining. Facundo Retamar then delivered the decisive blow, scoring the goal that sent Albinati into the final.

Gonzalito Pieres certainly did not disappoint. The three-time Argentine Open winner scored seven of Hublot’s ten goals and imposed all his talent on the match. But Albinati countered with a collective effort that Fabio Meier believes ultimately made the difference: “Their team is very, very strong. We were behind, then ahead, then behind again… But in the end, we all worked together. I think that’s what made the difference.”

The Swiss player was equally generous in his praise of the man Albinati had just eliminated: “Gonza is one of the best players in the world. It was very difficult to play against him. But we are four, not just one player. We all fought together, and I think that’s where we made the difference.”

For Fabio Meier, tomorrow’s final will carry particular significance. A familiar face at Gstaad, he is still chasing his first victory here: “We’ve been coming here for many years now and have never managed to win the trophy. But I think this year… this is the one!”

The only question left was who Albinati would face on Sunday.

Manuel Fernandez Llorente celebrates after scoring the golden goal that sent Kielder Agro Group into the final. © Pascal Renauldon – R&B Presse

Kielder hold their nerve

After the 21 goals and multiple twists of the first semi-final, Kielder Agro Group and Gstaad Palace found another way to extend both the suspense and the pleasure: they needed a fifth chukker, the suplementario, and a golden goal to separate them.

Gstaad Palace made the better start (2–1), before Kielder gradually worked their way back into the match and appeared to take a significant step towards the final when they opened the first two-goal gap of the game in the third chukker (5–3).

But Gstaad Palace had no intention of surrendering their crown without a fight. After closing the gap to 5–4, they eventually drew level through Santiago Loza, who scored three goals in the match.

The Argentine even had victory at the end of his mallet in the closing minutes: a 60-yard penalty that could have sent Gstaad Palace straight into the final. But his shot flew wide to the right. With the score tied 5–5 after four chukkers, the match went into overtime and the unforgiving rule of the golden goal: first to score wins.

The fifth period proved every bit as fiercely contested as the previous four. The umpire’s whistle was kept busy until Kielder were awarded a 30-yard penalty. Manuel Fernandez Llorente held his nerve, sending the ball between the posts and sparking celebrations throughout the Pepa camp. With four goals, including two penalties, the Argentine finished as his team’s leading scorer, while his brother Horacio contributed the other two.

Juan Pepa also played a major role in the victory, albeit in a very different way. Playing at back, the Kielder captain produced a series of defensive interventions and long clearances that proved invaluable whenever Gstaad Palace applied the most pressure.

Horacio Fernandez Llorente, scorer of two goals, did not look for any complicated explanation for the victory: “I suffered! It was an incredible match, very difficult, on a challenging field after yesterday’s rain. At this level there was practically nothing between the two teams. We simply had a little more luck, and today that made all the difference.”

A final impossible to predict

Gonzalo Pieres is out. The defending champions are out. And after two semi-finals decided by a single goal, one of them in overtime, it would be a brave person who tried to pick a favourite for Sunday’s final between Albinati Aeronautics and Kielder Agro Group.

That uncertainty perhaps sums up the 2026 edition perfectly: four remarkably evenly matched teams and games capable of turning on a golazo, a converted or missed penalty : sometimes on a matter of centimetres.

Gstaad 2026 can already be called a great vintage: sunshine – with more forecast for tomorrow – a large crowd, a wonderful atmosphere and the mountains as a backdrop. After Friday’s weather caprices, even the Alpine skies chose their side on Saturday: the side of the party.

All that remains is to discover which quartet will have luck on their side on Sunday and leave Gstaad with the trophy… and a Hublot on each player’s wrist.

PROGRAM

1:30 p.m.: Team Hublot vs. Team Gstaad Palace
3:00 p.m. – Final: Team Kielder Agro Group vs. Team Kielder Agro Group

STATISTIQUES

Semifinal 1

TEAM HUBLOT
Rupert KNAUF – GER, 0; Gonzalo PIERES – ARG, 7 (7 goals, including 5 penalty shots); Alfonso NERO – ARG, 1 (1 goal); and Bautista BEGUERIE – ARG, 6 (2 goals, including 1 penalty shot)

TEAM ALBINATI AERONAUTICS
Luca MEIER – CH, 1 (1 goal), Fabio MEIER – CH, 1 (1 goal), Adrian LAPLACETTE – ARG, 6 (6 goals, including 3 penalty shots), and Facundo RETAMAR – ARG, 6 (3 goals)

Albinati Aeronautics’ Record: 3/3 – 6/4 – 7/8 – 10/11

Semifinal 2

TEAM KIELDER AGRO GROUP
Juan PEPA – IT, 2, Antonio MANZANO – ARG, 0, Manuel FERNANDEZ LLORENTE – ARG, 6 (4 goals, including 2 penalty shots), and Horacio FERNANDEZ LLORENTE – ARG, 6 (2 goals)

TEAM GSTAAD PALACE
Markus GRAEFF – CH, 0, Thommy GRAEFF – CH, 3 (2 goals), Santiago LOZA – ARG, 7 (3 goals), and Facundo KELLY – ARG, 4

Kielder Agro Group’s progress: 1/2 – 2/3 – 5/4 – 5/5 – 6/5 (golden goal)

In Gstaad, Polo Is Seeing Green!

20 Aug 2026

After a scorching summer, what a pleasure to rediscover green fields and fresh mountain air! The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad got under way on Thursday in its spectacular Alpine setting, with Kielder Agro Group claiming the opening win over Albinati Aeronautics (11–8). Then, on his Gstaad debut, Gonzalito Pieres lived up to expectations, leading Hublot to victory over defending champions Gstaad Palace (8–5).

One hundred and twenty horses, sixteen players, four teams and, all around them, the mountains of the Saanenland. After weeks of playing on grounds often scorched yellow by an exceptionally hot and dry summer, the European polo community has found a welcome change of scenery. In Gstaad, the horses are back on lush green grass, the players are enjoying cooler air, while their families have the lakes and long walks in the Alps.

On the field, however, this is no holiday. In the opening match, Albinati Aeronautics caught Kielder Agro Group cold, taking a 3–1 lead after the first chukker. Kielder’s response was immediate: four goals in the second period put them 5–4 ahead at half-time. The margin remained narrow after the third chukker (7–6), before Juan Pepa and his teammates finally pulled clear in the last to seal an 11–8 victory.

Manuel Fernandez Llorente played a major role in the comeback, scoring six goals. But his Argentine counterpart Adrian Laplacette almost matched him shot for shot, also scoring six for Albinati. Between them, the two 6-goalers accounted for twelve of the nineteen goals scored in the opening match.

After the Battle, the Asado

Juan Pepa (Kielder Agro Group), victorious in his debut at Gstaad: polo among friends, but with victory as the goal. © Kathrin Gralla – Der Rote Drache

Ask Juan Pepa to analyse the match, however, and the Kielder captain would rather smile.

“I can’t talk about tactics, I have no clue! What I can say is that the Meier brothers are wonderful people and very good friends. And for me, being able to play alongside my brother-in-law Antonio makes it a family affair. We were both just happy to be here.”

Antonio Manzano plays alongside Juan Pepa for Kielder, while Luca and Fabio Meier wear the colours of Albinati. Friends before they are opponents, they will all be back together just a few hours after battling it out on the field.

“I don’t know who deserved to win today or what exactly allowed us to win, but tonight we’re all going to share a beautiful asado together. That’s the atmosphere Pierre wants us to have here.”

Perhaps that says more about Gstaad than any long explanation could. The polo is played at a high level and everyone wants to win, but the tournament is also a late-summer interlude where players, families and friends spend a few days together in an extraordinary environment.

For Juan Pepa, it has even become a family tradition: “We come with the whole family. My wife Juana and I have two young children. We spend part of the summer in the south of France and, before the kids go back to school and I go back to the office to make some money, we love coming here for a week: the mountains, the green, the lakes, the long walks…and being around beautiful people.”

Gonzalito Pieres Quickly Finds His Feet

Debut in Gstaad and first victory for Gonzalo “Gonza” Pieres Jr., who scored five goals and put on a display of top-notch skill while playing for Hublot. © Pascal Renauldon – R&B Presse

Before sitting down to that much anticipated asado, however, there was still a second match to play. And not just any match: it marked the first appearance of the headline player of this year’s tournament, three-time Argentine Open winner Gonzalo Pieres Jr.

And “Gonza” did not disappoint. He scored five of Hublot’s eight goals, including two genuine golazos – one struck from almost midfield – as the Argentine played a major part in his team’s 8–5 victory over defending champions Gstaad Palace.

Hublot made a flying start to lead 3–0, only for Gstaad Palace to fight their way back to 5–5 at half-time. Pieres and his teammates then regained control and never relinquished it, giving the Argentine champion a winning start on his Gstaad debut.

For his first appearance here, the elder of the Pieres brothers had made sure he arrived well equipped: “I decided to come here with my best horses from England. I think I made the right choice, don’t you?”

And Gstaad itself already seems to have won him over: “A lot of great players have played this Gold Cup before me. I’d never had the opportunity to come to Gstaad, so I’m very happy to finally be here. My brother told me what a great time he had here last year, and now here I am! After such a dry summer, especially in Spain, it’s quite impressive to arrive here and see so much green. The air is good, the weather is nice… it makes you want to do things. It’s really exciting to be here.”

On Saturday, however, it will be back to business.

“Against Albinati, we’ll be facing some very good players. We need to focus on ourselves and play good polo. If we do that, we’ll have a chance.”

The public had already turned out in good numbers around the polo ground at Saanen Airport for Thursday’s opening day. Between top-level polo, reunions, families, and fresh mountain air, Gstaad immediately rediscovered the atmosphere that sets this tournament apart: on the field, everyone comes to win; beyond it, they also come to enjoy a week unlike any other.

After Friday’s team parade through the streets of Gstaad, competition resumes on Saturday, with Sunday’s final already firmly in everyone’s sights.

STATISTICS

TEAM KIELDER AGRO GROUP

Juan PEPA – IT, 2 (2 goals), Antonio MANZANO – ARG, 0 (1 goal), Manuel FERNANDEZ LLORENTE – ARG, 6 (6 goals) et Horacio FERNANDEZ LLORENTE – ARG, 6 (2 goals)

TEAM ALBINATI AERONAUTICS

Luca MEIER – CH, 1, Fabio MEIER – CH, 1 (1 goal), Adrian LAPLACETTE – ARG, 6 (6 goals) et Facundo RETAMAR – ARG, 6 (1 goal)

Progression Kielder : 1/3 – 5/4 – 7/6 et 11/8

TEAM HUBLOT

Rupert KNAUF – GER, 0, Gonzalo PIERES – ARG, 7 ( goals), Alfonso NERO – ARG, 1 (1 goal) et Bautista BEGUERIE – ARG, 6 (2 goals)

TEAM GSTAAD PALACE

Markus GRAEFF – CH, 0, Thommy GRAEFF – CH, 3 (1 goal), Santiago LOZA – ARG, 7 (1 goal) et Facundo KELLY – ARG, 4 (3 goals)

Progression Hublot : 3/0 – 5/5 – 7/5 et 8/5

For Four Days, Gstaad Breaks into a Gallop

12 Aug 2026

From 20 to 23 August, polo takes over the Saanenland for one of the most distinctive events of the Swiss summer, and of the international polo calendar. Great players, horses, elegance and a certain art of living come together against a backdrop that could have been lifted straight from a postcard. Exactly one week from now, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad gets under way. Everything is ready for the first throw-in*, on Thursday at 1.30 pm.

Four days of top-level polo, August 20–23, in one of the most spectacular settings on the international circuit. © Dylan Jason

Most sports seem made for stadiums, and stadiums were built for sport. Polo is different. Born around 600 BC on the great plains of Asia, it has always needed space: a polo field can cover the equivalent of up to five football pitches. And somehow, the game takes on another dimension when played amid an extraordinary landscape.

In Gstaad, nature provides one of polo’s most spectacular stages. Wooden chalets overflowing with flowers, almost impossibly green meadows and mountain peaks rising in the background: just minutes from the famous resort, the Saanenland could be the setting for a chic, contemporary version of Heidi. It is here, on a polo field laid out alongside the runway at Gstaad Airport, that horses will take over from 20 to 23 August for four days of top-level polo.

The contrast has long been part of the event’s charm. For a few days, Gstaad – one of the Alps’ most exclusive resorts – gives way to horses, mallets and polo boots. Just a few kilometres from its grand hotels, luxury boutiques and picturesque streets, where the teams will parade on Friday (August 21 at 4:00 p.m.), polo is played here surrounded by mountains, in an atmosphere that manages to be both elegant and remarkably relaxed.

A cinematic backdrop

The landscape has already enjoyed a screen career of its own. In Saanen, the small stone bridge crossed on the way to the polo ground was made famous by Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, the hugely popular Indian cinema classic starring Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. More than thirty years after the film’s release, fans still come to see it.

Perhaps a small detail, but one that says a great deal about the magnetic appeal of this valley: in the Saanenland, even a simple stone bridge can become an icon.

For four days, another scene will unfold just a few hundred metres away. Four 14-goal teams, 120 horses, sixteen players from Argentina, Switzerland and beyond, and among them one of the defining figures of contemporary polo: Gonzalo Pieres Jr.

Still one of polo’s biggest stars

A three-time Argentine Open winner and a finalist at Palermo again last December, the former 10-goaler, the highest possible rating in polo. Gstaad, however, will be a first.

His record gives some idea of the calibre of player making his debut in the Swiss Alps: 21 victories across the three tournaments of the Argentine Triple Crown and 34 major titles won in Argentina, the United States, France and England.

“It will be my first time playing in Gstaad and I’m really looking forward to discovering it. We have a very competitive team and the goal is clear: to win.”

And he is not coming to Switzerland simply to admire the mountains. At 43, “Gonza” Pieres remains as ambitious as ever. After Gstaad, he will reunite with his brother Facundo and cousins Antonio and Cruz Heguy for another assault on Palermo. A finalist last year, he makes no secret of the goal:

“We want to win the Argentine Open. That would be another dream come true.”

The luxury of keeping things simple

Perhaps this is where Gstaad best expresses its difference. The tournament attracts champions, international partners and guests from around the world. While all 1,342 VIP hospitality places have long been booked, admission for the general public remains free. Anyone can come and watch some of the world’s finest players, grab lunch from the food trucks, wander among the stands or enjoy the children’s activities, without buying a ticket.

It is a blend of exclusivity and simplicity that polo, the oldest team sport in the world, perhaps manages better than any other. Around the field, petiseros – the devoted horsemen who care for the ponies, many from gaucho families – mingle naturally with great players, many of whom also breed their own horses; team captains with captains of industry; regular guests of Gstaad’s grand hotels with the occasional celebrity; and families who have simply come along to enjoy the spectacle.

These are worlds that rarely meet elsewhere. Here, polo brings them together around one shared passion: the horse.

For twenty-one years, Pierre Genecand has presided over this unusual machinery. A former president of the CHI Geneva, a show jumper for forty years and, at 76, still a polo player whenever he is in Argentina, his second equestrian passion led him to take charge of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad with the same energy that helped establish Geneva as one of the world’s leading riders’ favourite indoor shows.

Behind the event’s highly polished image lies a surprisingly small-scale organisation: the committee numbers just thirteen people, many of them local residents.

One week before the first throw-in, everything is ready. Only the unpredictable Alpine weather remains beyond anyone’s control. Pierre Genecand prefers to smile and repeat one of his favourite observations: “The mountains are beautiful in summer too.”

And from 20 to 23 August, they may look more beautiful still, enhanced by one of the finest spectacles horses can offer: polo in Gstaad.

* Throw-in: the start or restart of play in polo. The two teams line up opposite one another and the umpire bowls the ball down the channel between them.

Another Legend Comes to Gstaad All the Ingredients for a Vintage 2026

07 Jul 2026

With the first-ever appearance of Argentine legend Gonzalo Pieres Jr., a year after his brother Nicolás played there, an outstanding line-up, and VIP hospitality fully booked a month ahead of the event, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is shaping up to be one of the finest editions in its history.

Everything is set for the 2026 Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad. © Justine Jacquemot / R&B Presse

Every summer, Gstaad trades its ski slopes for a polo field unlike any other in the world. High in the Swiss Alps, the sport’s greatest champions gather in a resort where world-class polo meets elegance, hospitality and an incomparable Alpine setting. From the 20th to the 23rd of August, all the ingredients once again appear to be in place for the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad to be an exceptional gathering.

The 2026 edition will be marked in particular by the first participation of Gonza Pieres, one of the greatest players in the history of modern polo.

A three-time winner of the Argentine Open, polo’s most prestigious title, the sport’s equivalent of Wimbledon, and holder of 21 Argentine Triple Crown titles and 34 major titles won in Argentina, the United States and England, the former 10-goal player* continues to compete at the highest level worldwide. Runner-up at last season’s Abierto de Palermo playing in the pink colours of Ellerstina Indios Chapalefú, he will finally discover the Swiss tournament after hearing enthusiastic accounts from his brother Nicolás, who played in Gstaad last year. A debut the Argentine champion has long been looking forward to.

Alongside Bautista Beguerie and 15-year-old Alfonso Nero, nephew of Juan Martín Nero, twelve-time Argentine Open winner Juan Martín Nero, Gonzalo Pieres arrives in Gstaad determined to play a leading role. At 43, and still ranked among the world’s best players, he will finally add to his extraordinary career one of the few major international fixtures still missing from it. “This will be my first time playing in Gstaad and I’m really looking forward to it. We have a very competitive team, and I hope we can give our best,” he said.

Yet while the Argentine champion is delighted to finally discover Gstaad, his sights are already set on the next Argentine Triple Crown: Tortugas, Hurlingham and the Argentine Open. Alongside his brother Facundo and the Heguy cousins, his ambition remains intact: “Our goal is to stay competitive and reach the final again. We want to win the Argentine Open; that would be another dream come true. We know it will take a great deal of hard work, but we also want strong performances at Hurlingham and Tortugas. What matters most is remaining a team capable of competing for the top spots all season long.” Words that perfectly reflect the mindset of one of polo’s fiercest competitors.

Before returning to Argentina’s biggest tournaments, however, it is in the Swiss Alps that Gonzalo Pieres will open this new chapter of his career and it won’t be an easy one.

Defending champions Gstaad Palace will naturally return to defend their title. The team is led by Markus Gräff and his son Thommy, whose performances left a lasting impression last summer as the young Swiss amateur held his own against professionals without hesitation. The Swiss team will face particularly stiff competition: the three other sides bring strong credentials and several big names in international polo, promising a wide-open edition.

For Pierre Genecand, the tournament’s president, every sign points to success: “Everything is ready today: we could start the tournament tomorrow! VIP bookings for lunches and the gala have been sold out for a month already, proof of the excitement surrounding this edition. The level of the teams entered is among the highest we’ve ever seen. My only concern, as for any organiser, is the weather… but I’m confident.” Genecand also savours what has defined Gstaad’s unique identity for thirty years: elite competition in a setting unlike any other. “And let’s not forget: the mountains are just as beautiful in the summer,” he adds with a smile.

Beyond the sporting spectacle, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad stays true to its spirit. Free and open to the public, the tournament will also feature a lively village with food trucks, exhibition stands and children’s activities: an invitation to experience polo in one of Europe’s most spectacular natural settings.

*In polo, players are rated on a handicap scale from –2 to 10 goals; a 10-goal handicap is the sport’s highest rating, held by only a handful of players in the world at any given time.

WHEN POLO SUSPENDS TIME (AND GROUNDS THE PLANES)

15 Apr 2026

Some events no longer need to reinvent themselves to assert their place. In Gstaad, there is a moment each summer when even the planes fall silent. From 20 to 23 August 2026, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup will once again take possession of the magnificent grass field bordering the airport runway, offering a spectacle that has become truly unique in the world: top-level polo in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

Top-level polo set against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the European circuit. © Justine Jacquemot / R&B Presse

For over two decades, the tournament has established itself as a fixture apart on the international circuit, built on a quiet consistency that has become its signature. The same sporting standards, the same loyal teams, the same elegance in organisation: in Gstaad, polo is played for the long game.

That commitment begins long before the first chukka. Pierre E. Genecand is one of those rare organisers who, days before the opening bell, still climbs onto a tractor to personally oversee the condition of the ground, a gesture that owes nothing to chance, coming from a man who knows the land in more than the figurative sense. He understands better than anyone what the turf demands to give horses a surface that is supple, safe and consistent, the essential foundation of their well-being and performance. Then comes the moment when the tractor gives way to the dinner jacket, and the farmer-organiser becomes the host his guests have been waiting for: attentive, elegant, true to himself in both roles.

“For the twenty-first time, I am organising this tournament my way, with a loyal team and a spirit that is entirely our own,” he says. “We do not seek to reinvent our model, but to hold ourselves to a constant standard of excellence, on the field and off it.”

Off the field, that standard is equally evident. From tractor to VIP enclosure, there are only a few steps in Gstaad, and a world apart. The tournament’s hospitality is widely regarded across the international circuit as among the most refined to be found: an atmosphere where elegance never tips into ostentation, where lunches linger naturally, and where guests return year after year not only for the polo, but for everything that surrounds it. VIP lunch tables are available throughout the tournament, while Saturday evening’s gala dinner, the unmissable highlight of the week, will once again be brought to life by the Dora Live Band, whose presence has itself become one of the most anticipated traditions on the calendar.

On the field, the tournament will welcome back its loyal team captains: Markus Gräff, Fabio and Luca Meier, Juan Pepa and Rupert Knauf, each committed to bringing to Gstaad some of the finest Argentine and English professionals on the circuit today. Their names will be announced in due course. Those who know this tournament already know what to expect.

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad holds on to something rare: the quality of an event that is open and welcoming, where enthusiasts, aficionados and first-time visitors share the same space in an atmosphere that is at once refined and relaxed. Around the ground, the village, the festivities and the team parade through the streets of Gstaad extend an experience unlike any other, a high point of the summer season, where discerning fans and international figures come together in a setting where polo retains all its authenticity.

Here, the planes stay on the ground. And polo takes flight.

Free entry – Food available on site (including food trucks), children’s area

VIP reservations and gala dinner: www.polo-gstaad.ch/reservation

Photos : © Pascal Renauldon / R&B Presse & © Der Rote Drache / Kathrin Gralla

Newsletter 2025

07 Nov 2025

The 2025 Newsletter is now available!
Discover the highlights and special moments from this past year by clicking the link below.

📖 View the Newsletter

Enjoy revisiting the memories.

Gstaad Palace reaches the summit

24 Aug 2025

In this spectacular setting, nestled in the idyllic Swiss Alps, the 28^th edition of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup ended this Sunday with a final full of flair. Four Swiss players took to the field, including team captain Markus Graeff, who led Gstaad Palace to a memorable victory.

Two Swiss and two Argentinians on the podium at the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad 2025: Markus and Thommy Graeff, Min Podestá and Francisco Fucci.© Justine Jacquemot / R&B Presse

At 1:30 p.m., the subsidiary final set the tone with open, fast-paced play between two teams determined to leave Gstaad on a positive note. Less tense than Saturday’s semifinals, the match unfolded in a spirit of true sportsmanship, with each team freely expressing their game.

Nicolás Pieres finds his rhythm

More comfortable on the field than in the semis, Nicolás Pieres (4 goals) found his rhythm and steered Team Kielder Agro Group to a narrow but meaningful 8–7 win over Adrian Laplacette Jr. (5 goals), ever inspired in his game reading.

“This was my first time in Gstaad and I hope it won’t be the last!” said the Argentine star after the match. “It’s just fabulous here, so beautiful… But the field is quite unique. To be honest, on the first day, I felt out of sorts;I couldn’t play my usual polo. But then I realized I had to play more directly. Now that I’ve adapted, if I come back next year, I promise I’ll play a very different game!”

The former 10-goaler will fly out to Buenos Aires tomorrow to prepare for the highlight of his season: the Argentine Open and the qualification of his Kazak team for the Triple Crown. “I’m pretty optimistic,” he adds. “It’s a team I really like, and this year with Pelón Stirling joining, I’m quite confident.”

Gstaad Palace: A family affair and a Podestá masterclass

The final started off cautiously, with players understandably showing a touch of nerves. But momentum quickly shifted in favor of Gstaad Palace, who took control and dominated throughout. Albinati Aeronautics struggled to break through a rock-solid defense orchestrated by Martin “Min” Podestá (7), with every teammate executing their role to perfection starting with captain Markus Graeff:

“It’s such a pleasure to play here. I’m the oldest player on the field at 73, and as far as I know, the next oldest is 20 years younger and most of them are between 20 and 30! I’m thrilled I could contribute… a little. I put this team together, and I’m proud of what we achieved. Playing here in Gstaad is wonderful. Each of my teammates played their part. I had my role to play, and I think I did it well. Like football, polo is a team sport. If I’m invited again next year, I’d be delighted to return.”

The captain’s son, Thommy Graeff, certainly did more than play his part, delighting the crowd with a stunning golaso

A winning pair: Min Podestá, best player in the final with his 9-year-old mare, Doma Simoca, best horse in the final. ©Justine Jacquemot / R&B Presse

Doma Simoca, queen of the day

No horses, no polo. Most players will tell you that 70% of their performance depends on their horse. For this tournament, Min Podestá brought six of his top horses from the UK. Among them, Doma Simoca, a nine-year-old grey mare, was awarded the Best Playing Pony of the Final.

And it wasn’t her first trophy: “She’s already won several BPPs, including in the Copa Cámara final and the playoff match for the Argentine Open,” explained Podestá, who was also named MVP (Best Player of the Final). “She’s generous, tireless — I can bring her back into the game two or three times without issue. She’s easy to ride and always gives her best.”

A touching tribute to an exceptional mare, bred at the prestigious La Irenita stud. For connoisseurs: she is by Clarín out of Irenita Nazarena, both outstanding polo horses in their own right.

A tournament like no other

There was something truly special about this Sunday in Gstaad. A kind of enchanted interlude where the noble toughness of polo met the gentleness of this alpine setting. Among the crowd were former team captains now returning as spectators and loyal attendees marveling once again at the beauty of the venue and the warm, relaxed atmosphere that defines the event.

This tournament is unique. And it owes much of its character to the man who has orchestrated it for the past twenty years: Pierre E. Genecand, a passionate and demanding host, loyal to his team and to a certain philosophy of event organization, blending Swiss precision, a love of sport, and heartfelt hospitality.

Thanks to him and to those who stand by his side, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup has become a one-of-a-kind stop on the global polo circuit: a top-level tournament in an idyllic mountain setting.

See you next year, from 20 to 23 August 2026.

TEAMS, SCORES & STATS

Subsidiary Final

Team Kielder Agro Group: Antonio Manzano (0, 1 goal) – Juan Pepa (2 penalty goals) – Bautista Bello (4, 1 goal) – Nicolás Pieres (8, 4 goals)
vs.
Team Hublot: Jürgen Schröder (0) – Antonio Grabosch (3) – Adrian Laplacette Jr. (6, 5 goals) – Juan Esteban Uribe (5)

Progression Kielder Agro Group: 1–2 / 4–3 / 6–6 / 8–7

Final

Team Gstaad Palace: Markus Graeff (0) – Thommy Graeff (3, 2 goals) – Martin Podestá Jr. (7, 4 goals) – Francisco Fucci (4, 1 goal)
vs.
Team Albinati Aeronautics: Luca Meier (1, 1 goal) – Patricio Gaynor (2) – Santiago Cernadas (7, 2 goals) – Fabian Bolanterio (4, 1 goal)

Progression Gstaad Palace: 1–0 / 3–1 / 6–3 / 7–4

Best Playing Pony: Doma Simoca, 9-year-old grey mare bred by La Irenita, ridden by Martin Podestá Jr.
MVP: Martin Podestá Jr.
Best Amateur Player of the Tournament: Juan Pepa, Kielder Agro Group
Top Scorer of the Tournament: Martin Podestá Jr. – 10 goals

Referees: Charles Seavill and Oliver Ellis

Two Fiery Semi-Finals Light Up Gstaad for the 27th Hublot Polo Gold Cup

23 Aug 2025

Unable to play on Thursday due to weather conditions, the 2025 Hublot Polo Gold Cup kicked off in spectacular style on Saturday. The tournament jumped straight into the semi-finals, taking over the perfectly dried and prepared grass field of Gstaad’s iconic airport. Under a welcome burst of sunshine and with four evenly matched teams (14-goal handicap), the tournament immediately reached full intensity. The crowd showed up in numbers to witness the finest polo in the Alps. The day’s verdict: Gstaad Palace and Albinati Aeronautics will battle it out for the title.

Min Podesta ultimately prevailed over the tournament’s top seed, Nico Pieres (in green).

Podestá’s Composure Outshines Pieres’ Prestige

The first semi-final lived up to its promise, with a fascinating clash of styles between two strong contenders. On one side, Team Gstaad Palace was orchestrated by a brilliant Martin Podestá Jr. (7), working in perfect sync with Swiss teammates Markus (0) and Thommy Graeff (3), and the efficient Francisco Fucci (4). On the other, Team Kielder Agro Group was led by the immensely experienced Nicolás Pieres (8), one of the most decorated players on the global circuit.

Gstaad Palace quickly took control, leading 5-2 going into the final chukker. Yet Podestá Jr., who scored a spectacular 50-meter golaso early on and netted all six goals for his team, remained cautious: “No match is ever easy. They had a strong line-up, including a former 10-goal player. We had a great start, but Nico Pieres is an exceptional player and Kielder came back strong, cutting our lead to one goal. We’ve played together at a similar tournament just last week, with the same players and horses. I brought my six best horses from the UK… But above all, Markus and Thommy did a great job and really helped us.”

His caution was justified. After scoring the first two goals for his team, Nicolás Pieres added three more in the last period. One more, and it would have gone to overtime. Bautista Bello came close to equalizing in the final seconds… but missed—breaking his mallet in frustration.

Albinati Aeronautics Triumphs in Overtime

Same final score, but a completely different storyline in the second semi-final, where Albinati Aeronautics, slightly behind for most of the game, pulled off a last-minute victory in extra time.“It was a very tough match; they had control for most of it,” admitted Santiago Cernadas, the team’s linchpin and scorer of the winning goal. “Our fouls really cost us, but in the end, it was on one of their own fouls in overtime that we clinched it.”

The decisive moment came from a smart play by the youngest player on the field, 16-year-old Swiss-Argentinian Patricio Gaynor, who drew a foul from seasoned opponent Adrian Laplacette: “He was unbelievable,” said Cernadas. “He knows how to hold the ball, make smart passes… really impressive.”

It was a last-minute lineup reshuffle for team captain Luca Meier (1), who had to make changes following several injuries, including his brother Fabio. But the chemistry between Cernadas (7), Gaynor (2), and Fabian Bolanterio (4) clicked perfectly. Meier will now return to the final for the second year in a row. Will this one be the charm?

Team Lineups & Score Progression

Semi-final 1

Team Gstaad Palace: Markus Graeff (0), Thommy Graeff (3), Martin Podestá Jr. (7 – 6 goals), Francisco Fucci (4)

Team Kielder Agro Group: Antonio Manzano (0), Juan Pepa (2), Bautista Bello (4), Nicolás Pieres (8 – 5 goals)

Score progression (Gstaad Palace): 1-1 / 2-1 / 5-2 / 6-5

Semi-final 2

Team Hublot: Jürgen Schröder (0 – 2 goals), Antonio Grabosch (3), Adrian Laplacette Jr. (6 – 3 goals), Juan Esteban Uribe (5)

Team Albinati Aeronautics: Luca Meier (1), Patricio Gaynor (2 – 1 goal), Santiago Cernadas (7 – 4 goals), Fabian Bolanterio (4 – 1 goal)

Score progression (Albinati Aeronautics): 2-2 / 3-2 / 4-5 / 5-5 / 6-5 (OT)

Saturday’s revelation: 16-year-old Patricio Gaynor did not hesitate to go into battle on Hublot’s pillar, Raul Laplacette, even provoking a decisive foul by the Argentine champion and securing victory for his team. © Pascal Renauldon / R&B Presse

Final Showdown This Sunday at 3:00 PM

The day’s winners will face off on Sunday in a highly anticipated final that promises to be explosive. At 1:30 PM, the match for third place will pit the two defeated semi-finalists against each other—each determined to end their campaign on a high note.

An event open to all, on site or remotely.

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup is open to the public throughout the weekend. An exhibitor village, catering areas and entertainment are planned to welcome young and old alike in a setting that is both chic and relaxed. So, see you at the grand final! Access to the tournament is free, and for those who cannot be there in person, it is possible to follow this prestigious tournament remotely.

Sunday’s finals will be broadcast live on Pololine TV

The scores will be posted in real time on ChukkerApp.

When Polo Grounds the Planes

18 Aug 2025

The countdown is on in Gstaad: in just two days, polo will once again take over the grassy runway of the resort town’s airport. As it has every summer for nearly three decades, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup is preparing to suspend traffic at this business airport to make way for a different kind of spectacle: that of some of the world’s finest players competing in an alpine setting where elegance meets sporting passion.

The tournament has secured its place on the international circuit thanks to a man who had already proven himself by revitalizing the Geneva International Horse Show: “Some events weren’t, or aren’t, organized the way I believe they should be,” explains Pierre E. Genecand, who has helmed the tournament for twenty years exactly. “That’s why I decided to do things my own way here in Gstaad, with a loyal team and a distinctly Swiss spirit that I have no intention of exporting.”

World-class polo on the airport grass

This pursuit of excellence extends to the sport itself. This year, each team will field a top-tier Argentine player, promising a spectacular level of play for the tournament’s 28th edition. “The highlight of this 2025 edition,” notes Genecand, “is the presence of a very high calibre of Argentine professionals across all teams, and that’s really the heart of the show.”

Leading the pack is Nicolás Pieres (8-goaler – Team KIELDER AGRO GROUP), the former back for the legendary Ellerstina team and one of the sport’s most decorated stars. Winner of the Argentine Open in 2012 alongside his brothers Gonzalito and Facundo, Pieres has played in eight finals at Palermo and boasts ten Triple Crown titles (Tortugas, Hurlingham, Palermo), not to mention victories at the US Open, the British Open, Sotogrande, and the French Open.

On the Team HUBLOT side, Adrian Laplacette (6-goaler) will be back in action after reaching last year’s final alongside the Meier brothers. Well at ease on Gstaad’s turf, he’ll be out for redemption on ground that feels like home, this year with German captain Jürgen Schröder.

Another standout this year is Martin “Min” Podestá Jr. (7-goaler – Team GSTAAD PALACE), a two-time winner of the prestigious Copa Cámara de Diputados – a title that grants access to the Argentine Triple Crown. Also in the mix, Juan “El Oreja” Jauretche (7-goaler – Team ALBINATI AERONAUTICS), a finalist of the same Cámara, rounds out a quartet of top-class talents that uphold the tournament’s stellar reputation.

Planes grounded, polo takes off.

While air traffic pauses during the matches, as the polo field sits directly beside the runway, an increasing number of the tournament’s partners now come from the private aviation sector. “We’ll have more exhibitor stands this year and more private aircraft and helicopter displays on site,” explains Pierre E. Genecand. A clear sign that the tournament, while staying true to its roots, continues to attract an ever more international and discerning audience.

The figurehead of the 28th edition of the Hubmot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, Nico Pieres has won every major title on the planet, including ten victories in Argentina’s legendary Triple Crown. A legend in Gstaad! ©Pascal Renauldon/R&B Presse

An event for all: on-site or online

The Hublot Polo Gold Cup is open to the public throughout the weekend. An exhibitor village, food stands, and family-friendly activities await spectators in a setting that’s both chic and relaxed.

Don’t miss the team parade through the streets of Gstaad on Friday at 4:00 PM: a warm and festive moment where Swiss rural tradition meets the world’s oldest team sport.

Admission is free from Thursday onward, and those who can’t attend in person can still follow this prestigious tournament from afar:

Finals on Sunday streamed live on Pololine TV

Scores updated live on ChukkerApp