Great Scott… J. is for Jazz! The Great Gatsby Gala will be a Jazz Age Jubilee as Newport Polo celebrates its Diamond sesquicentennial with a splashy top-hatted, chandelier-swinging gala on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Rosecliff. The closely guarded deets are finally trickling out for the sold-out affair in its 25th encore—the cat’s meow of the social season.
White tie traditions will be in full form for the highly anticipated society spectacle—less an event than an era revived. This year’s soirée is not only an ode to Gatsby-era glamour and gilded summer nights, but a celebration of endurance, legacy, and care for future generations.
“We’re puttin’ on the Ritz—this time with full razzle-dazzle and then some,” shares Dan Keating, gala MC, Polo captain, and Club President. “We’re honored to carry forward the legacy of America’s First Polo Club, and for our 150th milestone, we’ve gone all out—no half-measures, no flapper fluff.”
With generous support from Presenting Sponsor BD and Vanderbilt International Properties, guests can expect an evening of decadence and dazzle—champagne flowing and a ballroom full of high-falutin’ swells, society dolls, and dapper gents all dressed to the nines.
Attire calls for white tie and tails for the dandies and for the ladies, a high-style Jazz Age showstopper: think gowns with fringe that flutters, feathers that flirt, pearls with attitude, headpieces that mean business, and enough glitz to gridlock traffic on Bellevue Avenue. A swanky style guide will be released, channeling Fitzgerald flair, Deco drama, and roaring razzmatazz.
“While we leave prohibition firmly in the past, the spirit of celebration remains fully intact,” note Meg Stowe and Laurel Howe, Polo Club Ambassadors. “This year’s fundraising efforts will support meaningful initiatives advancing health and opportunity for future generations, both locally and beyond. We invite guests to raise their paddles in the spirit of generosity and championing the next generation.”
A Live Auction of rare and highly curated experiences will open in advance of the gala, allowing supporters near and far to participate in the spirited bidding war before the final dramatic moments unfold beneath the coffered Rosecliff crown molding. Proceeds will benefit forthcoming charitable beneficiaries.
Tickets for the gala are now sold out, as befits one of the most anticipated social evenings of the summer season. Newport Polo’s annual International Polo Charity Ball continues to define the intersection of sport, society, and stewardship—each year reimagined through theme, tradition, and a touch of theatrical flair.
As part of a full weekend of festivities, guests may also enjoy pre-parties, the gala itself, an afterparty, match day excitement and the beloved annual Lobsterfest. Additional event announcements will follow.
In its 34-year charitable history, Newport Polo is proud to have raised more than $2.3 million for nonprofit organizations through benefit matches, gala auctions, and related fundraising initiatives. Sponsorship opportunities and auction donations for the 2026 gala are welcome at agnes@newportpolo.com.