The Standard Bank Polo returns after 15 years: a spectacle of horses, high fashion and pricey tickets

When you hear the word polo, you automatically picture horses, flawless lawns, champagne being poured like water, and outfits that were planned days in advance.

This isn’t the kind of event where people “just arrive”. No,  people prep, steam, contour, and rehearse the walk from the car to the entrance. Fashion is basically part of the ticket.

This year’s theme required a touch of blue, and guests clearly paid attention. Women mostly wore flowing beige or white dresses accented with different shades of blue, and hats came in a mix of stylish headpieces and normal-sized hats, nothing oversized, just elegant enough to complete the look.

Men stuck to crisp linens or tailored suits in soft colours. The rules were clear, and most guests followed them, creating a cohesive, polished aesthetic across the lawn. 

I even spotted rugby player Siyabonga ‘Scarra’ Ntubeni at the event, though he was clearly tucked away in the VIP section.

But glamour aside, polo events are never friendly on the wallet. The average South African, with an ordinary income and a list of monthly bills longer than a Woolies till slip, is simply not about to throw money at tickets priced like luxury treats.

And that became even clearer on Saturday when I attended the Standard Bank Polo as a member of the media, thankfully, because these prices would have made my chest tight.

Polo is not cheap entertainment. It’s one of those outings where the entry fee alone tells you exactly who the organisers expect to see in the crowd.

This was the first major international-level polo event at Val de Vie in fifteen years. Covid didn’t just pause the sport; it stopped it entirely.

Sponsorships disappeared, events were cancelled, and international players couldn’t travel. So this South Africa versus England match was polo making a long-awaited comeback.

As the Uber dropped us off at the entrance, we were instantly swallowed into a queue of guests waiting to be checked in. And then there were the tourists. A group of foreign guests were clinking their drinks at the entrance, making the wait feel like a pre-party.

One of them lifted her glass and shouted, “See you in Vegas!” before hopping onto the shuttle. I stood there thinking: if this is the energy at the gate, the price tag better match the excitement.

Now to the part that everyone quietly whispers about: the cost of getting in. The so-called entry-level Stella Artois Picnic ticket costs R695, including a welcome drink, one complimentary beer, lawn seating, and access to the food trucks.

Pleasant enough, but R695 is still a stretch for families, students, or anyone on a modest budget. Essentially, you’re paying nearly seven hundred rand to sit on grass and buy your own food.

The Sunset Garden ticket, which I experienced, was R2,250. It included welcome drinks, curated food stations, cocktails and casual seating.

Comfortable, yes, but at over R2k, the offering felt thin. Two drinks were offered, and even if you don’t like gin or beer, that’s what you get. Guests at my table asked the waitress, “Am I forced to drink beer when I don’t even like beer?” Valid question.

While the food looked promising on paper, it fell short. The calamari and chips were served cold in the sun, the butter chicken was lukewarm, and pre-made sushi with avocado was already browning.

For the price, it didn’t feel worth it. At least the match itself was visible from our seats. If polo is the reason you came, that part delivered.

Meanwhile, the Volvo VIP tables are a whole different universe, costing anywhere from R39,500 to R49,500 for a table of ten.

Private lounges, staff, endless drinks, fancy canapés, shaded seating - these tickets aren’t about enjoying a day out. This is about flexing without actually lifting a finger, while pretending you’re just there for the sport.

These tickets are clearly aimed at high-net-worth individuals, corporate clients, business owners, and influencers who see polo as the perfect place to network, seal deals, and silently remind everyone else who’s “in the know”.

Polo has always been synonymous with wealth and prestige, and the price tag screams it.

It’s less about the horses and more about being seen, rubbing elbows with the right people, and casually sipping champagne while the average person wonders if they can justify a R2,250 ticket.

For the average South African, even those willing to splurge, this level of exclusivity is simply out of reach.

These events are deliberately curated for an audience that can afford luxury without hesitation and sees the Polo field as part sporting spectacle, part social stage.