The Scottsdale Polo Party is evolving this year with a temporary name, a focus on social distancing and a new way to help local schools, nonprofits and charities seeing COVID-19 effects.

The Stella Artois Polo Classic, which the owners of the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships created, will be either Nov. 7 or 14 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. The final date and all details will be released no later than Aug. 15.

In the meantime, the Stella Artois Polo Classic at WestWorld’s outdoor polo field will feature extensive social distancing and open-air options aimed at making guests as comfortable as possible in an environment as fun as possible, a press release claims.

Some tents will be open-air and tailgating and lawn seating will be expanded. Tented-areas will follow similar guidelines as restaurants with distances between tables. Among the new elements this year will be Prom, an open-air tent for high school students that had this event canceled. As a thank you medical professionals, active military and veterans, as well as high school students, will receive complimentary admission to the Polo Classic with ID.

Overall, event officials hope the approach will be a new way to host a sporting event that could be instructive for other games and matches before and after the Polo Classic.

In response to the economic downturn, the Polo Classic is offering local charities and schools the chance to raise money utilizing its unique platform and event.

Nonprofits and schools can host fundraisers or donor thank-you events at The Stella Artois Polo Classic with zero or very little costs through sales of tickets and tables in their own reserved areas.

The event will donate tables to organizations that would like to participate to use as they please. The nonprofits and schools can keep all of the revenue generated from their ticket and table sales.

Multiple letters and emails have gone out to Valley-wide charities over the past months alerting them to the option. Several have expressed interest, ranging in size from 50-200 people.

“With so many charity events canceled in the Spring and more possible in the Fall, we know our event can be a catalyst for raising funds,” event cofounder Jason Rose said in a prepared statement.

“People feel more comfortable outside and our large playing field  --- three times the size of a football field --- allows us to make progressive plans that are both safe and fun.”

The Scottsdale Polo Party has grown into the most attended polo event in North America, a release claims. Over 12,000 people attended the event in 2019. The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships will return as previously constructed in 2021.
Despite the changes for 2020, organizers believe it might be the most rewarding year yet.

“Charities can use us to raise what will hopefully be hundreds of thousands of critical dollars as we demonstrate that fun and safe can be compatible later this year,” Mr. Rose said.