Rules of Polo
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Rule 1 · USPA 2026 Arena Rules

Facilities

The arena, its goals and markings, the ball, what counts as an event, and how a host committee may depart from these rules.

  1. 1a

    Playing Arena

  2. 1a(1)

    Size of the arena

    A playing area of 300 feet in length by 150 feet in width is considered ideal for Arena Polo.

    The arena from above: ideally 300 by 150 feet, walled, a goal box in each end wall, the 25-yard lines, the short lines 5 yards out and the T at the centre
    1. Walls all round, with gates
    2. 25-yard line across the full width
    3. Short line 5 yd out from the goal
    4. Goal box in the end wall, the goal line across its mouth
    5. T at the centre, parallel to the goals

  3. 1a(2)

    Goals

    Goals shall be centered at opposite ends of the Arena and the ideal size shall be 10 feet in width by 15 feet in height, inside measurement.

    An arena goal from the front: ideally 10 feet wide and 15 feet high inside, a cross piece on top, the goal line across the mouth
    1. Cross piece marks the top of the goal
    2. Goal line across the whole mouth; sizes are inside measurements
    3. End wall
    4. Goal box behind the mouth

  4. 1a(3)

    Walls and gates

    Arena polo is normally played in facilities that have walls and gates enclosing them.

  5. 1a(3)(a)

    No painted goals

    Goals painted on the end walls do not make satisfactory goals as they do not mark a goal line across which the ball must pass.

  6. 1a(3)(b)

    Goal boxes

    Goal boxes, including a cross piece marking the top of the goals, should be used.

  7. 1a(3)(c)

    Arenas with open ends

    Although arenas with open ends, goal lines and goal posts are not favored by the Arena Committee, their use would suggest that Rules 18, 22.a, 21.a and Penalty 6 as provided in the Official Outdoor Rules be followed with the exception that the free hit called for in Penalty 6 be taken 25 yards from the goal line.

  8. 1a(4)

    Markings

    The arena shall be clearly marked with goal lines; a “T” in the center of the arena parallel to the goals; each 25-yard line marked the full width of the arena; and shorter lines parallel to the goals at points that are 5 yards perpendicular to each goal.

  9. 1a(4)(a)

    Goal line across the mouth

    The goal line shall extend across the goal mouth, the full width of the goal.

  10. 1a(4)(b)

    Where the goal plane is

    The leading edge of the goal line shall indicate the plane of the goal, with the remainder of the line inside the goal box.

  11. 1a(4)(c)

    Slope behind the goal line

    The ground area behind the goal line may be sloped so a rolling ball will fall through, not away from, the plane of the goal.

  12. 1b

    The ball

    Balls The ball shall be not less than 12.5” or more than 15” in circumference and the weight not less than 170 grams or more than 182 grams. In a bounce test from 9’ on concrete at 70°F, the rebound should be a minimum of 54” and a maximum of 64” at the inflation rate specified by the manufacturer. This provides for a hard and lively ball.

  13. 1c

    What an event is

    Definition of Event For the purposes of these Rules, an “event” or “Event” is a USPA Event or Club Event as those terms are defined in Section I of the Tournament Conditions.

  14. 1d

    Exceptions, variances and house rules

    Exceptions to Rules These Rules should, to the extent possible, be enforced in all USPA Events. USPA member clubs are strongly encouraged to enforce these Rules in all Club Events. It is recognized that some limitations may from time to time exist which make it impossible or impractical for the Host Tournament Committee (also referred to herein as the “Committee”) to fully enforce these Rules. In such cases, the Committee shall spell out such exceptions prior to any USPA Event. The Committee shall make every effort to comply with the intent of these Rules if an exception must be made for a USPA Event. In a Club Event, a USPA member club’s Host Tournament Committee may adopt one or more variances from these Rules before the event with notice to the teams, provided that (i) the USPA member club’s Host Tournament Committee believes that any such variance adoption is in the best interest of the USPA member club and the sport; and (ii) the USPA member club accepts responsibility and any liability for the consequences of any such variance adoption(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no USPA member club or Host Tournament Committee may adopt any variance from USPA Arena Rules 3.a(2) or 4.b(7) (regarding helmet requirements). The Committee should use restraint in making “house rules” and do so only if it is in the best interest of the players and the event. House rules could include but are not limited to: definition of “goal line,” “goal mouth,” “wall,” or “out of play.”