To Residents and Businesses in the Hurlingham Park area

CHESTERTONS POLO IN THE PARK WILL BE RETURNING TO HURLINGHAM PARK ON FRIDAY 3rd, SATURDAY 4th, and SUNDAY 5th JUNE 2016

Sportgate International Ltd have an exclusive deal with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to stage an annual event – ‘Polo in the Park’ at Hurlingham Park, and to make improvements to the park and grounds at Hurlingham Park for the benefit of all the community and to bring polo back to its British roots.

The event has been successfully run at the venue since 2009. In 2014 the event was purchased from the previous owners and is now being run by Sportgate International Ltd. The new owners have retained the previous management team to continue to deliver the event safely, successfully and to the benefit of the park and the area as a whole.

Following the success of previous years, the 3 day polo event will again be returning to Hurlingham Park in June 2016. A summary of benefits include:

  • The Chestertons Polo in the Park event will be produced, delivered and paid for by the organisers, Sportgate International Ltd.
  • Since 2009, the Chestertons Polo in the Park event has brought significant improvements to Hurlingham Park, including opening up and improving the quality of the sports pitches.
  • Chestertons Polo in the Park and its organisers will continue to invest in Hurlingham Park for the benefit of the residents and park users year-round.
  • In 2011 the organisers undertook to build, at their own expense, a borehole to ensure the greenest possible solution to irrigation. As a result, Hurlingham Park is one of few London Parks that can benefit from irrigation throughout the summer event during periods of drought and during hosepipe bans. Please note: the water used for this is grey water from the strata water table - NOT reservoir stock mains water - therefore hosepipe bans do not affect the use of this water. The borehole use is governed by strict Environmental Agency guidelines, and we work closely with them on this matter.
  • An enhanced maintenance and reinstatement ground-works programme will again take place pre and post event, which includes reducing ground compaction as well as extensive seeding and fertilising.
  • 2000 FREE general admission tickets have been allocated for Hammersmith & Fulham residents via a resident ballot.
  • The event provides the opportunity for residents to watch a live world class spectacular sporting event in their local park – 2 x winner of ‘London Sporting Attraction of the Year’ – London Lifestyle Awards and winner of ‘Visit England Excellence Award’.
  • Over 50 local businesses are benefiting from working directly with Chestertons Polo in the Park, and many more local businesses benefit from the presence of up to 28,000 visitors to the area over the 3 event days.
  • In 2015 Sportgate International have fundraised over £18,000 for the benefit of the park as well as local children’s charity SEAPIA, and pledge to raise at least the same amount for 2016.

Sportgate International Ltd are very keen that you, the residents, are furnished with as much information as possible regarding the event and how it may affect you. We therefore have provided this information to LBHF Council for them to display on the dedicated web pages of their website. The information can be found here:

In this you will find information on the following: Background, Event Programme, Traffic Management, Public Access to Hurlingham Park, and Frequently Asked Questions.

Sportgate International Ltd are committed to providing a first class event, whilst minimalizing the impact on the local residents and local environment and providing a lasting legacy to the park, benefitting everyone. We are proud of our working relationship with the local residents and with the Council, and are keen to maintain and build on this as much as possible. We hope that Chestertons Polo in the Park will be an event that you can enjoy and be proud of.