In a sport steeped in history, the Pro-Am has carved out its own distinct place in the Newport International Polo Series. Now in its 25th year, the tradition has become one of the most anticipated matchups on the summer calendar, bringing together seasoned professionals and spirited amateurs in a contest that is equal parts mentorship, spectacle, and high-octane sport.

Few sporting formats capture the imagination quite like the Pro-Am. At its heart, it is a pairing of worlds: the professional athlete at the peak of mastery, and the passionate amateur who brings fresh energy and unbridled enthusiasm. Together, they create a dynamic that has become a beloved tradition across disciplines — from golf greens to polo fields.

Newport Polo adopted the Pro-Am spirit with equal flair. As one of the world’s oldest team sports, polo is steeped in tradition, yet always open to reinvention. The Pro-Am format in Newport took on a distinctive character. Here, the “best of the best” — professionals with international pedigrees demonstrate their tactical brilliance — ride alongside ambitious, dedicated amateurs eager to test themselves on the world stage. Each chukka becomes a showcase of speed and strategy, where pros demonstrate their mastery while amateurs rise to the occasion with determination and grit.

From the outset, Newport Polo fans embraced the tradition. Spectators quickly discovered that Pro-Am matches often deliver the most unpredictable play of the season. With pros setting the tempo and amateurs injecting fearless energy, the games have become known for daring runs, bold shots, and surprising turns of fortune. It is polo at its most electric — raw, thrilling, and utterly unrepeatable. Fans relish the blend: the flawless precision of a veteran paired with the daring instincts of a rising star. The chemistry, sometimes unlikely, often produces surprising outcomes — proving that in sport, heart and hustle can be as decisive as experience.

For players, the Pro-Am is equally rewarding. Amateurs find themselves not only in the company of champions, but learning from them in real time — every pass, ride-off, and goal an education under pressure. Professionals, meanwhile, rediscover the joy of mentoring, fostering a sense of camaraderie that strengthens Newport Polo’s community on and off the field.

This enduring tradition is made possible by the vision and support of passionate sponsors for years at a time over the decades — including Grieco Automotive, Grieco BMW, Bentley and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, BMW North America, the Carnegie Abbey Club and Atlas Insurance to name a few — whose commitment has elevated the Pro-Am into a showcase of both sport and style. Their partnership ensures that the Pro-Am continues to embody the ethos of the Polo Series itself: a bridge between tradition and innovation, between international sport and local passion.

As Newport Polo celebrates the Pro-Am’s 25th year, one thing is certain: when professionals and amateurs take the field together, anything can happen — and it usually does, to the delight of players and fans alike. In every Pro-Am, history repeats itself: champions inspire, amateurs rise, and together they create a spectacle as enduring as the games themselves. It is sport distilled to its purest form — a reminder that while talent may draw us to the field, it is passion that keeps the tradition alive.