Unexpected October Encore Brings Turkish Airlines Finals, 50-Pony Anniversary Parade, Fan Appreciation Offer, Round the World Grand Prize Trip, Charity Day, Coastal Cowboy and BBQ Cook-Off
NEWPORT, R.I. — Sept. 23, 2026 — Apparently, 150 years deserves an encore.
After last weekend’s nor’easter postponed the scheduled season finale, Newport Polo will saddle up one more time this Saturday, October 3 at 4PM, bringing its historic 150th Diamond Jubilee Season to a close with an unexpectedly grand finale at BD Field at Glen Farm.
The Turkish Airlines Finals will provide the final six chukkers of the 35th Newport International Polo Series, in Partnership with Aston Martin Boston and Presented by Turkish Airlines. The rescheduled match also brings together several celebrations originally planned across the closing weekend, creating one final afternoon devoted to the horses, players, fans, charities and international friendships that have defined Newport Polo’s milestone year. The Polo Grounds open at noon, with the match beginning at 4PM. Newport Polo Tickets
Fast ponies. Smoking grills. Cold bubbles. One more Saturday.
The Diamond Jubilee is going out at full gallop.
150 YEARS ON PARADE
Before the first ball is thrown in, Newport Polo will turn the spotlight on the athletes that made 150 years of history possible: the horses.
More than 50 polo ponies and their riders are expected to take part in a special 150th Anniversary Pony Parade during the Opening Ceremony—a living victory lap honoring generations of equine athletes stretching from the Club’s beginnings in 1876 to the ponies competing on BD Field today.
Different century. Different saddles. Same extraordinary animal at the heart of the sport.
For an organization whose history began on horseback, it is a fitting way to begin its final match of the anniversary year: for 150 years, the horse has carried America’s First Polo Club forward. On Saturday, the horses will lead the parade. Newport Polo
BRING A FRIEND—ON US
The anniversary finale will also come with a thank-you to the spectators who filled the sidelines throughout the Diamond Jubilee. For Saturday’s Finals, Newport Polo is inviting fans to Bring a Friend, On Us: purchase one Lawn Admission ticket and receive a second Lawn Admission at no charge. For every Lawn ticket purchase includes a free ticket, using the offer code ‘CHEERS150’ at checkout, online only.
The gesture is Newport Polo’s way of thanking the community that has made summer Saturdays at Glen Farm a tradition—and giving everyone one last excuse to enjoy an outdoor gathering, pack the picnic and stretch the season just a little farther.
ONE LAST CHANCE TO WIN THE WORLD
The final afternoon will also settle a question that has been building all summer: where in the world will one lucky Newport Polo fan go next?
Every Saturday this season, the weekly Door Prize winner earned a place among the finalists for Newport Polo’s annual Turkish Airlines Grand Prize Drawing. Saturday provides one last opportunity to join the finalists before a single winner is selected during the Trophy Presentation concluding the match.
The prize: round-trip Business Class airfare for two to any destination in the Turkish Airlines network.
Turkish Airlines, Newport Polo’s seven-time Presenting Sponsor, will be on hand as the season-long promotion reaches its conclusion during the post-match Trophy Presentation. After a Diamond Jubilee devoted to the countries, players and friendships that have connected Newport to the international polo community, the final act comes appropriately with a passport. Newport Polo
POLO FOR A PURPOSE
Saturday will also welcome participants in Newport Polo’s 10th annual All Charity Day, postponed from last weekend to coincide with the Finals. Newport Polo
More than 30 participating nonprofit organizations have used the event to sell their own tickets in support of their missions, continuing a program that has turned a day at polo into a grassroots fundraising platform for organizations throughout the community, raising over $300,000 prior to this year. The combination makes the finale a celebration of Newport Polo and the community that has grown around it.
SADDLES MEET SEERSUCKER
Naturally, no Newport Polo finale would be complete without one last opportunity to dress—and grill—for the occasion. Saturday’s Coastal Cowboy theme brings Western swagger to the Newport shoreline: sun-faded denim, chambray, straw meets suede, boots, belts and hats, preferably accompanied by a cooler, a picnic blanket and something impressive smoking on the grill.
Think ranch dressing with a Newport address. The season’s final Stella Artois Best in Show will reward spectators who take the theme furthest, while an inaugural Coastal Cowboy BBQ Cook-Off invites tailgaters and picnickers to put the skills they have honed all summer to the test. Ribs. Brisket. Secret sauces. Fieldside bragging rights.
The ponies won’t be the only competitors on Saturday.
ONE MORE FOR 150
The Turkish Airlines Finals traditionally provide Newport Polo’s last great gathering of summer—a final contest, final trophy, final Champagne toast and final lingering sunset over a field that will soon fall quiet for the season. This year, that ritual carries considerably more weight. The 2026 season marked 150 years since the founding of America’s First Polo Club and the 35th season of the Newport International Polo Series. Over the course of the summer, international challengers returned to Newport, new rivalries were written, old traditions were revived and generations of players and spectators came together to mark a milestone that will not come again in our lifetimes.
Even last weekend’s weather could not write the final chapter. So the ponies will be saddled once more. The grills will be lit. The Champagne will be chilled.
And at 4PM Saturday, the ball will be thrown in for one magnificent final ride.
TURKISH AIRLINES FINALS — DIAMOND JUBILEE ENCORE
Saturday, October 3 | Match at 4PM
Newport International Polo Series, in Partnership with Aston Martin Boston | Presented by Turkish Airlines
BD Field at the International Polo Grounds | 250 Linden Lane, Portsmouth, R.I.
Polo Grounds Open: Noon | TD Pavilion: 2PM | Pony Parade: 3PM | Match: 4PM | Trophy Presentation: approximately 6PM Newport Polo Tickets
Following the final horn, players will gather at center field for the season’s concluding Veuve Clicquot Trophy Presentation, followed by the Turkish Airlines Grand Prize Drawing and Après Polo. Newport Polo Tickets
There will be other summers. There will be other matches. There will only be one 150th Diamond Jubilee Finale.
Gather the friends. Pack the picnic. Fire up the grill. And meet us at the Polo Grounds as Newport Polo rides its Diamond Jubilee into the sunset.
Photo credit: Jim Curran 2025