The wait is over. After a long year that brought the best polo to several destinations around the world, action comes back to Argentina, with the first leg of the coveted Triple Crown, the 133rd. Hurlingham Open, set to commence on Tuesday September 22, that will see eight teams up to 40 goals, partake. In addition, the 2026 season in Argentina has significant news – the calendar has been changed; a total of 52 matches will be played through the Hurlingham Open, the Tortugas Open and the Argentine Open, in a competition that will run up to Saturday December 12, with the much anticipated final of the Argentine Open, at Palermo, “The Cathedral”.
Before the start of the most awaited time of the year for the sport of kings, let’s give a look at the teams that are set to compete in Argentina. It’s worth noting that only two of them have not changed their lineups, remaining the same as in 2025.
The main attraction are La Natividad La Dolfina. The Cañuelas-based foursome are the current title holders of the Triple Crown. They are back with the 40-goals lineup made of Camilo Castagnoa (10), Adolfo Cambiaso (10), Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso (10) and Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. (10).
Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú, rated at 37 goals is, along La Natividad La Dolfina, is the second team that will feature the same lineup as last year, the Pieres-Heguy combo – brothers Facundo (10) and Gonzalito Pieres (9), and cousins Antonio Heguy (9) and Cruz Heguy (9).
A comeback – Las Monjitas. Camilo Bautista’s organisation is back to the Triple Crown after many years of absence, with a 35-goal lineup made of Rufino Bensadón (8), Lukin Monteverde (9), David Stirling (9) and Juan Martín Nero (9).
Meanwhile, the Triple Crown had two La Hache teams until last year. In 2026, they decided to put one lineup together, rated at 34 goals, that features two pair of brothers – the Ulloas (Hilario, 9 and Carlos María, 8) and the Panelos (Benjamín, 8 and Tomás, 9).
La Ensenada (33) retained Juan Britos (8) and Jerónimo del Carril (8), and hired Diego Cavanagh (8) and Juan Martín Zubía (9).
A new team, Híper Polo Club (33), will feature Victorino Ruiz Jorba (8), Gonzalo Ferrari (8), Francisco Elizalde (9) and Teodoro Lacau (8).
Another comeback are La Aguada Daily Mail a 32-goal foursome, with the return of Alfredo Bigatti (8) to the club which he played the Triple Crown for the first time with, in 2017. Alfredo is joined by Bautista Bayugar (8), Joaquín Pittaluga (8) and Federico Panzillo (7), the latter a last minute change to sub in for Cristian Laprida Jr.
Don Ercole, brings a 31-goal lineup, made of Facundo Cruz Llosa (8), Kristos Magrini (7), Pedro Zacharias (8) and Felipe Vercellino (8). It’s worth noting that both Hiper Polo and Don Ercole will be playing their first entire Triple Crown.
But beyond the names we will see on the pitch, the Hurlingham Open displays a remarkable history that exceeds the modern Triple Crown. The club has been established in 1888 and the first Hurlingham Open was played in 1893; some consider this tournament s the oldest open polo championship in the world. Those grounds have seen many generations of players over the years, who have written some of the most remarkable pages in the book of Argentine polo.
With regards to titles in the history of the Hurlingham Open, these are the most winning teams:
Coronel Suárez (21)
La Dolfina (13)
Ellerstina (11)
La Dolfina’s most recent victory was in 2025 when they joined forces with La Natividad. That’s why La Dolfina has 13 titles, and La Natividad 3.
On a personal side, Adolfo Cambiaso has the record, with 16 titles of the Hurlingham Open, a number he reached in 2025. He is also the all-time top scorer in the history of the tournament, overcoming no less than Juancarlitos Harriott. Behind Cambiaso, we find some remarkable names of Argentine polo – Juan Martín Nero, Pablo MacDonough and David Stirling; all of them have claimed the contest several times.
The last five champions allow to understand the recent history of the tournament better:
2025: La Natividad La Dolfina 12-9 UAE
2024: La Natividad 13-12 La Dolfina Saudi
2023: La Dolfina Saudi 18-13 La Hache
2022: La Dolfina 13-12 La Irenita Grand Champions
2021: La Natividad 14-8 RS Murus Sanctus
The 133rd. Hurlingham Open will begin on Tuesday September 22 with the quarter finals, all due to be played at the Argentine Association of Polo (AAP) Headquarters, in Pilar; the semifinals will take place on Saturday September 26 and Sunday September 27, and the final will be held at the historical Hurlingham Club on Saturday October 3.
The Hurlingham Open marks the start of the 2026 Triple Crown in Argentina – ready to compete are four teams rated at 33 goals or more; two newcomers and a 40-goal defending champion. Everything is set and ready to enjoy what is expected to be a remarkable contest.