• Event provided unique experience for everyone involved

AlUla, Saudi Arabia – The latest chapter in AlUla’s sporting history reached a fabulous conclusion yesterday as the 2024 Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo came to a close on its fourth and final day.

After four days of elite competition featuring international patrons, royal dignitaries, and the world’s best players, celebrity audiences and sports fans enjoyed a grandstand finish at AlFursan Equestrian Village.

Team Saudia won the Desert Polo trophy as Sayuu Dantana, Melissa Ganzi, and polo GOAT Adolfo Cambiaso overcame opponents Richard Mille 9-5 in the main final with AlUla and Tamya finishing third and fourth, respectively.

With this year’s third edition officially over, the tournament has been hailed as ‘magnificent’ and a ‘unique experience’ for all involved. Following a highly anticipated build-up, it lived up to its billing as the ‘biggest and best yet’, laying new foundations for further development, growth, and popularity in the years ahead.

“We’re incredibly proud to have hosted the third edition of Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo – it was a brilliant occasion for everyone connected,” said Ziad AlSuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). “The on-field competition was magnificent and players, visitors, and media alike really enjoyed a unique experience – one exclusive to AlUla that can’t be found elsewhere else on the international polo circuit.”

A testament to the evolution of Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo and its expanding profile and appeal, this year saw the tournament welcome eight teams (AlUla, Richard Mille, Saudia, SAB, Bentley, Dadan, Kaybar and Tayma) – double the number from 2022.

Additionally, a record 24 players from 12 countries competed against the stunning backdrop of the AlUla Desert. For AlSuhaibani, these statistics highlight that the direction of travel is positive.

“We’re working towards Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo being a world-class competition that people travel to from all over the world,” he continued. “It’s true that we’re in the early stages of this endeavor. However, we’ve reached our development targets to date.

“Improvements were made to the competition, arena, and entire set-up this time around – and we have big ambitions for the future. We’re committed to bringing more of the best players and teams to compete while increasing interest, attendance, media coverage, and international exposure. We’re growing the sport in AlUla and this competition is central to our efforts and progress.”

Besides the likes of Cambiaso, Juan Martin Nero, Pablo Mac Donough, Nina Clarkin, and Lia Salvo presenting elite competition, horsemanship, and sporting moments on the pitch, audiences were treated to a series of offerings inside the venue.

Luxury hospitality and live entertainment with local musicians honored Arabian culture and heritage throughout to complement the desert polo experience.

Like always, Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo was held in partnership with the Saudi Polo Federation (SPF), the organisation dedicated to promoting, developing, and regulating polo and equestrian sports across the Kingdom.

Following their victory, Team Saudia celebrated with the prestigious Desert Polo trophy presented to them by Abeer Al Akel, Acting CEO, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), and Amr Zidan, Chairman, Saudi Polo Federation (SPF). Amr Zidan was present alongsinde Faisal Bin Dowees, CEO of SPF throughts the four days of the event.

Commenting on this year’s event, Bin Dowees touched on its community impact and historical significance. “The tournament has been very well received by a local community whose historic ties with horsemanship and heritage sports date back thousands of years,” he said.

“Throughout this time, polo and equestrianism have remained immensely popular and looking to the future, Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo is sure to be a catalyst for inspiring up-and-coming generations to participate and compete.”

Another catalyst for increased participation and competition moving forward will be the long-term partnership between RCU and La Dolfina, the one of the world’s most successful polo teams. Founded by Cambiaso, La Dolfina is working with RCU to position AlUla as a regional hub for equestrian activities, as well as destination for global horse enthusiasts.

While audiences have bid Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo a fond farewell, there’s more sport to look forward to in AlUla in the coming weeks, with the revamped AlUla Tour welcomes the biggest names in professional cycling from January 30 - February 3 and The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup returns February 10 & 11.

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About AlUla Moments:

AlUla Moments is AlUla’s new home for events. AlUla Moments calendar was launched at the end of 2021 and introduced new festivals and events to celebrate and unlock AlUla’s stories, uncover its secrets, and celebrate local and international cultures. With 7,000 years of civilisations and home to some of the most sophisticated ancient kingdoms of antiquity, AlUla is no stranger to social gatherings and cultural celebrations.

AlUla Moments calendar comprises of five festivals offering diverse experiences in art, culture, music, nature, wellness, equestrian activities, dining, and astronomy. The AlUla Wellness Festival featuring the latest practices to engage the mind, body and soul; Winter at Tantora, the original AlUla celebration of heritage, culture, fashion and music; the Ancient Kingdoms Festival offers immersive events acknowledging the ancient civilisations that lived in AlUla and its neighboring oases in Khaybar and Tayma; AlUla Skies Festival with the popular hot air balloons and stargazing experiences; and AlUla Arts Festival bringing together contemporary and ancient art events and experiences.

In addition to the festivals AlUla Moments calendar offers a number of marquee events, including AZIMUTH and Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, along with the heritage sports events such as The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup, AlUla Camel Cup, AlUla Falcon Cup, the Tent Pegging World Championchip and Horseback Archery World Cup, a world-class fashion, adventure and sporting events.

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About AlUla:

Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in North-West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.

The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 52-hectare ancient city, Hegra was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and is comprised of 111 well-preserved tombs, many with elaborate facades cut out of the sandstone outcrops surrounding the walled urban settlement.

Current research also suggests Hegra was the most southern outpost of the Roman Empire after the Roman’s conquered the Nabataeans in 106 CE.

In addition to Hegra, AlUla is also home to ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms and considered to be one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula, and Jabal Ikmah, an open air library of hundreds of inscriptions and writings in many different languages, which has been recently listed on the UNESCO’s memory of the World Register. Also AlUla Old Town Village, a labyrinth of more than 900 mudbrick homes developed from at least the 12th century, which has been selected as one of the World’s Best Tourism Villages in 2022 by the UNWTO. Additionally, Hijaz Railway and Hegra Fort, which are key sites in the story and conquests of Lawrence of Arabia.

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