Polo in Mallorca Emerges From the Shadows
- Nov 2, 2025
- 3 min read
In the winter polo season, traditionally dominated by destinations like Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, and Dubai, a new contender is powerfully emerging: Mallorca. This Mediterranean island is experiencing a genuine equestrian revolution, redefining its position on the global polo map.
The turning point has been a legislative shift that has radically changed the game. For fifteen years, Balearic regulations classified polo fields as golf course facilities, subjecting them to identical requirements for irrigation, environmental impact, and infrastructure. This regulation, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Transport, limited polo development to private matches among acquaintances. The recent legal amendment reclassifies polo fields as agricultural land, permitting the organization of official tournaments, the attraction of sponsors, and the creation of new clubs.
The heart of this equestrian renaissance beats in eastern Mallorca, where a global community of enthusiasts is establishing its operational base. German visionary Daniel Crasemann, a pioneer who acquired his Sa Barrala estate seventeen years ago, maintains 120 horses in peak condition and is building his third regulation-sized field. It is there that he founded his Barralina polo team. This project is joined by personalities such as Christian Völkers, Crasemann's partner; Uwe Schröder, founder of Tom Tailor; Christopher Kirsch, an event organizer; Bernhard Schurzmann, with his new facility scheduled to open in the autumn; and Geneva banker Fabian Pictet, owner of a spectacular Arabian-style estate with a polo field. And the list continues: according to real estate sources consulted by POLOBIZ, Turkish and Dutch investors plan to create two private clubs by the end of 2027.
Equestrian infrastructure is experiencing remarkable growth, with four major private facilities currently operational and five additional ones under construction, set to be ready next year. This expansion underscores investor confidence in Mallorca's potential as a top-tier polo destination.
The Mediterranean climate is a key competitive advantage. The polo season extends from late February through November, allowing horses to remain outdoors year-round. Air connectivity further enhances this appeal: nine daily flights connect London to Palma de Mallorca in just over two hours, complemented by numerous connections from Germany. The island, which welcomes nearly sixteen million visitors annually, has 23 million available airline seats, facilitating access for international players and fans.
Traveling to Dubai or Argentina for the polo season involves significantly greater distances and higher costs, positioning Mallorca as the ideal refuge for playing polo during the winter months without the need to leave Europe.
Meanwhile, overcoming the water challenge represents a particularly significant achievement. In response to the chronic water scarcity affecting the island, innovative solutions have been implemented, including private desalination plants and optimized irrigation systems. The new legislation permits the use of agricultural wells for field maintenance, resolving one of the main obstacles to polo development.
The region of Campos, with its predominantly flat terrain and agricultural-livestock tradition, is establishing itself as the natural epicenter of this activity. The area's rural philosophy, combined with its topographic suitability, creates the perfect environment for playing polo.
A recent agreement between the historic Barralina club and the specialized digital platform Pololine.TV aims to position Mediterranean polo on the world stage, bringing it out of the shadows after more than a decade of private practice. The partnership will attract sponsors and enable tournament organization through the live streaming of matches.
In this context, Crasemann's strategy has rebranded his estates and teams under the "Polo de Mallorca" brand, symbolizing the international projection of this emerging destination. Mallorca has transitioned from a period of discreet development to positioning itself as a solid alternative on the European polo circuit, combining sporting excellence, environmental sustainability, and an incomparable Mediterranean setting.
