The Cornell men’s polo team will play against Virginia in the semifinals of the 2026 USPA Division I national championship tournament on March 20 at Prestonwood Polo & Country Club in Oak Point, Texas. The match is scheduled for 5 p.m., and the winner will advance to the national finals on March 22.
This matchup is significant as it continues a longstanding rivalry between Cornell and Virginia. Both teams have played close games this season, with Cornell winning a one-goal contest, 10-9, at the UVa Polo Fall Tournament in October, and Virginia securing an 18-17 victory at the Bill Field Invitational in November.
Cornell enters the tournament aiming to end a two-match losing streak, most recently falling to Marlan Farm by a score of 25-15 on March 14. Fourth-year head coach Anthony Condo Jr. has led the team to a cumulative record of 43 wins and 20 losses and guided them to win the Division II national championship in 2024.
Cornell Big Red Polo participates in NCAA varsity polo through its affiliation with Cornell University and the United States Polo Association, according to the official website. The program operates from Ithaca, New York, and focuses on equestrian competition as part of university athletics. The Big Red serves as both mascot and symbol for Cornell’s athletic teams, including polo.
All matches during this year’s championship will be broadcast live on USPA Polo Network. The semifinal winner between Cornell and Virginia will face either North Texas or the victor of the Texas A&M/Kentucky play-in game in Sunday’s final.
