The History of Polo in Hong Kong

Polo, often dubbed the "sport of kings," has a rich global history. Its roots trace back to ancient Persia around the 6th century BC, and it gained prominence in China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), where it was played by nobility and military elites. The sport was introduced to England in the 19th century by British officers stationed in India, eventually spreading to various parts of the British Empire, including Hong Kong.

Please be aware that although all the content here has been sourced from archival newspapers, articles, reports, and records, it may still contain historical inaccuracies.

Late 1880s – 1930s

In the 1920s, polo was played at the Queen's Recreation Ground in Causeway Bay (now repurposed for various private and public sports facilities). The ground was used by both civilians and army officers, who saw the sport as both recreational and training. The venue also hosted a number of matches and social events, including a visit by the Prince of Wales—later King Edward VIII—who played there, alongside various gatherings attended by members of Hong Kong society.

Despite polo’s growing popularity, the club recognised that the playing fields also served the wider public. When not in use for polo, they were a playground for many children, an outlet for other recreational sports, and provided much-needed open space—what was described as the “lungs” of the city—offering relief in a dense urban environment.

In 1933, acknowledging this wider benefit to the public, the Hong Kong Polo Club voluntarily offered to forego the remainder of their lease and relocated to Kowloon.

1930s – 1940s

New polo grounds were established north of Boundary Street in Kowloon around 1934. Although the location was less convenient to reach, it quickly gained popularity. The club hosted regular social gatherings, events, and tournaments, maintaining a lively polo scene until 1941, when the outbreak of war brought all polo activities to a halt.

1950s – 1980s

Following the war, polo in Hong Kong resumed at Shek Kong, where dedicated grounds were set up. The sport flourished there through the post-war years, offering a hub for matches and training. However, as the decades progressed, the prominence of polo in Hong Kong began to wane. Several factors contributed to this decline. As British military forces and expatriates gradually departed, the sport lost many of its core participants and organisers. Compounding this was a missed opportunity to broaden polo’s appeal—there was little effort to engage the local community or to establish a school that could introduce the sport to a new generation. By the late 1980’s, polo had largely faded from Hong Kong's sporting landscape, remembered more as a colonial pastime than a contemporary activity.

1990s – 2000’s

In the years after polo's decline in Hong Kong, various initiatives aimed to rekindle interest in the sport's growth, such as the Hong Kong Polo Development. Established in 2016 by Andrew Leung, this organisation focused on training Hong Kong residents abroad in nearby polo clubs and is recognised for its annual Hong Kong Beginners' Polo Cup tournament, which continues to be held each year. Additionally, Shanghai Tang organised a one-time Polo Exhibition match during the Hong Kong Longines Masters event in 2016. However, the lack of a dedicated facility made sustaining long-term interest in the sport nearly impossible.

A New Dawn for Polo in Hong Kong

​After 40 years, polo will finally return to Hong Kong, but not like before. The Hong Kong Polo Academy will open its doors for the public to enjoy, making sure the sport for kings can be a sport enjoyed by all. 

Rather than being a nod to it's colonial past, we aim for polo to evolve into a hub of cultural celebration, horsemanship, enjoyment, and community. Our vision is rooted in a grassroots approach, fostering genuine enthusiasm and camaraderie within the sport by initially establishing a school at the Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre. However, we look forward to growing this sport with community engagement, exciting events, and eventually a polo club of our own.

As we begin this journey, we welcome those with a passion or even a curiosity to explore the sport and become part of the new chapter in Hong Kong's polo history.