The Polo Life, LLC announces the eighth annual Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup, the world’s largest and most prestigious Beach Polo competition, taking place from April 26th to April 29th between 20th and 22nd Streets on the sands of South Beach, Florida. Maserati, the award-winning automotive manufacturer of sports-luxury cars, celebrates its inaugural year as Title Sponsor and establishes an unmistakable Italian flair in race bred luxury vehicles alongside a gallant troupe of thoroughbred horses.
The four-day, globally renowned sporting event, considered the most coveted of its kind, features top polo players from around the world competing in two tournaments for both men and women. The Maserati South Beach Women’s Polo Cup IV takes place on Thursday, April 26th featuring eight women’s teams in a one-day series of round-robin championship matches. Last year’s winning team of Tara Lordi, Melissa Hornung and Angela York, will defend their title as 2011 champions, while competing against the highly touted Cecilia Cochran, Tiffany Busch and Natalia Baecher, among others, who are all expected to play in this year’s tournament. Maserati, HEYS USA, Lufthansa Private Jet, Don Miguel Gascón Winery and The Raleigh are among the esteemed 2012 lineup of Maserati South Beach Women’s Polo Cup team sponsors.
The Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup – a three-day men’s tournament, now in its eighth year, starts on Friday, April 27th through Sunday, April 29th. Six teams will include some of the world’s topranked players, including Rico Mansur from Brazil, who will be making his second appearance at this year’s event, following his recent return from Brazil after competing in a charity fundraiser exhibition match for Prince Harry’s foundation. Last year’s champions, The Raleigh, led by team captain, Bash Kazi, will return to defend their 2011 title, and favorites including Luis Escobar, Nic Roldan, John Gobin, Kris Kampsen and Pelon Escapite are all anticipated to return to battle for this year’s coveted trophy. Matias Magrini, the first ever 10-goal player in Beach Polo history, is also expected to participate, along with fellow teammate Guillermo Usandizaga, who were both part of the team that took the Chicago Beach Polo World Cup title in October last year. Maserati, HEYS USA, Don Miguel Gascón Winery and The Raleigh will also sponsor competing men’s teams.
“This year’s Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup is expected to be our most distinguished tournament to-date,” said Bruce Orosz, President and Co-Founder of The Polo Life, LLC. “Our inaugural competition in Chicago last year was a milestone in the development of professional U.S Beach Polo outside of Florida and this year marks a huge step towards taking our brand of event overseas in an effort to expand internationally. We thank all of our patrons, sponsors and supporters with helping to take our vision for The Polo Life to new heights.”
Attendees at this year’s Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup will once again experience the annual series of lifestyle and evening VIP events that form an essential part of the four-day festivities. Nighttime fashion shows by La Martina and Blank Silk will see the return of Meghan Walsh, the talented daughter of America’s Most Wanted TV host, John Walsh, and founder of the Indian-inspired Blank Silk women’s clothing line that she designs. To commemorate this year’s event, Maserati and its long-standing partnership with designer La Martina have come together for the creation of a “La Martina For Maserati” polo shirt that will be on-sale at the La Martina retail tent onsite throughout the four days.
“We are delighted to announce our inaugural participation in this year’s Miami Beach Polo World Cup,” said Mark McNabb, President & CEO, Maserati North America, Inc. “Elegance, style and performance are qualities that define Maserati and also the sport of Polo. We are looking forward to the events in South Beach this coming April.”
The traditional post-event awards ceremony will be held at the end of each tournament to commemorate both women’s and men’s competition winners, during which sponsor representatives will present trophies to the men’s and women’s World Cup finalists. This year’s Maserati South Beach Women’s Polo Cup IV and Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup VIII is sponsored by Maserati, HEYS USA Group, La Martina, Don Miguel Gascón Winery, Triumph Motorcycles, The Raleigh and Esquire magazine, with support from the GMCVB and Miami Beach VCA. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami and The Voss Foundation are the tournament’s official partnering charity organizations. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami will receive a portion of funds raised through ticket sales from the event.
General admission to both competitions and adjacent Retail Village is free, and concessions will be available to purchase. Alimited number of VIP tickets are available for purchase. VIP tickets allow entrance to the shaded Grandstand, where free food and drinks are served. Ticket prices are $100 for Thursday, April 26th and $130 for Friday, April 27th through Sunday, April 29th. Children 12 to 18 years old pay half the adult ticket price and children younger than 12 years old receive free admission. A percentage of all ticket sales will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, the tournament’s official charity partner. A three-day VIP pass can be purchased for $375. Afourday VIP pass can be purchased for $450.
More than 12,000 people attend the Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup over the four days each year and the tournament attracts professional polo players from as far as Russia, Switzerland and Malaysia, as well as the very best from South America. For more information on the tournament and the events or to purchase VIP tickets, visit www.miamipolo.com or call 305-538-3809. For further information on The Polo Life, visit www.thepololife.com
Each year, the Miami Beach Polo World Cup is produced by the event’s founding organization, ACT Productions, based in Miami Beach, owned by President and CEO, Bruce Orosz.
