France Crowned Champion at the First FIP Arena Polo European Championship

Photo Credit: Massimo Argenziano

Rome became the stage for a new chapter in European polo as the first FIP Arena Polo European Championship – U.S. Polo Assn. Trophy took place from May 27 to 30, 2026, at the iconic Piazza di Siena, inside Villa Borghese.

The event brought together national teams from Italy, England, Switzerland and France in a 10- to 12-goal competition that marked an important step for the development of arena polo in Europe. After four days of play, England and France reached the final on Saturday, May 30, with the French team claiming the gold medal and becoming the first champion in the history of the tournament.

France was represented by Clement Toussaint, Jules Legoubin and Matthieu Delfosse, with Clement Delfosse and Tristan Vétois also part of the squad during the event. The team delivered a strong campaign throughout the week and closed the championship with a memorable victory in one of Europe’s most symbolic equestrian venues.

The tournament was held within the framework of CSIO Roma, one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. That setting gave the championship immediate visibility and placed arena polo in front of an established international equestrian audience. More than a competition, the event was designed as a platform to present arena polo as a dynamic, accessible and attractive discipline with strong potential for growth across the continent.

The host nation, Italy, competed with Stefano Giansanti, Giordano Magini and Roman Rampello, with Boris Bignoli, Anastasio Perrone, Goffredo Cutinelli Rendina, Ignacio Brunetti and Pedro Horacio Pecollo listed as reserves. England featured Ricky Cooper, Grant Collett and Matias Amaya, while Switzerland was represented by Fabio Meier, Luca Meier and Tomas Ruiz Guinazu, with Patricio Gaynor as reserve. France completed the group of participating nations with a balanced and competitive lineup.

One of the highlights of the week came even before the first match, with the inaugural parade on May 26. The procession moved through emblematic points of Rome, bringing polo into the heart of the city and strengthening the connection between the sport, the public and the cultural identity of the Italian capital.

The championship was organized by the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation, with the support of Alessandro Giacchetti, and its integration into CSIO Roma provided an important platform for the future of arena polo in Europe.

With France lifting the first title and Rome offering a unique blend of sport, tradition and international exposure, the inaugural edition of the FIP Arena Polo European Championship left a clear message: arena polo has found a powerful new showcase on the European calendar.