Kitzbühel once again set to host thrilling snow polo in January

Kitzbühel, 25th November 2019. The 18th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel 2020. January 2020 will see eight international teams hail from 11 nations to compete for the coveted title between Friday 17th January to Sunday 19th January.

This year’s instalment is set to elevate the events to new heights, with new teams and sponsors joining the traditional event. Glamour is the name of the game with competitive and exciting polo set to delight the abundant spectators and sponsors, producing an event that will sparkle and delight both on and off the field.

Due to the distinctive excellence of The Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel, the 2020 edition sees the return of title sponsor and long-time supporting partner, Bendura Bank, who have excitingly signed on for a further multi-year extension supporting this thrilling alpine event. This year’s instalment, full to bursting with exhilarating matches and social finesse, will also see the return of long-term supporters Bernd Gruber and Engel & Völkers. In very exciting news, new sponsor GP Mobility, the brainchild of the Gregor Piëch family, will be bringing their automotive prowess to Kitzbühel with an abundance of luxury cars – the best the region has ever seen, in the perfect pairing of horsepower on and off the field. The 2020 edition of The Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel will also welcome new faces in the form of Intocast, Laurent Perrier, World Polo League and returning Official Merchandise partner La Martina. What’s more, an abundance of Kitzbühel five-star hotels are among the key sponsors including Schwarzer Adler Kitzbühel, Hotel Elizabeth, Kempinski Hotel, Kitzbühel Lodge, Hotel Bichlhof, Hotel Lisi, Hotel Zur Tenne and Weisses Rössl.

On the field, there will be a host of new faces from Brazil to Britain, America to Argentina, amongst those vying to regain the coveted title. Three Team Captains will be returning to the pristine Kitzbühel arena, 2018 winner Melissa Ganzi (USA), Sebastian Schneberger (GER) and Patrick Maleitzke (GER), all of whom have won the Kitzbühel trophy in the past. With so much returning competition, this year’s new Captains, Ana Escobdeo (MEX), Helmut Wieser (AUS), Marcus Schalldach (BR), Matthias Normann (AUS) and Marc Ganzi (USA) have their work cut out. Previous champions will be returning to try to recapture the coveted title, including two three-time winners, Sebastian Schneberger (GER) and Jonny Good (UK). Can one of these two polo powerhouses break the Kitzbühel record and win a whopping fourth title?! An up-to-date list of teams can be found at www.kitzbuehelpolo.com/players-teams at all times.

Organiser Tito Gaudenzi, who will return in 2020 with his 2018 winning Bendura Bank side, is thrilled to welcome this platform of polo royalty, both past and present, “This year is set to be bigger and better than ever before. As well as welcoming back our esteemed partner Bendura Bank, we are delighted to be able to show some new faces what The 18th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel is all about. The relationships formed on the snow in Kitzbühel are those that last a lifetime – the best way to once again affirm a truly special event.”

After the 2020 teams are presented to the world’s press on Thursday, play will begin on Friday 17th January, continuing on Saturday and Sunday. Surrounding the world-class polo on snow, the polo audience will enjoy first class catering in the VIP tent and the legendary Player’s Party on Saturday night (invite only).  Ticket sales for the VIP experience and the exclusive Polo Player’s Night in the VIP tent on Saturday 18th January are expected to reach record highs. A few tickets are still available here now www.kitzbuehelpolo.com and as ever, admission to the event grounds is free to the general public, with a grandstand, brand new for 2020, available on a first come, first served basis for the lucky 120 occupants. There is no better view of our thrilling sport.

The 18th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup once again promises to highlight the very best of Austrian snow polo in the magnificent backdrop of the Wilder Kaiser mountains. As well as world class polo on the field, the event will boast spectacular high-class social occasions on the sidelines and in the very heart of this traditional town. January in Kitzbühel has never been so good.