Polo: The Empress Farah Pahlavi Cup in France

On Sunday, June 14, 2026, Her Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi attended the annual Empress Farah Pahlavi Cup at the Polo Club of France.

The Empress Farah Pahlavi Cup is one of the Polo Club of France’s most prestigious annual tournaments, drawing a large number of spectators each year to enjoy this elegant and historic sport.

The origins of Chogan known internationally today as polo can be traced back to ancient Persia, dating at least to the Achaemenid Empire. Over the centuries, the sport spread throughout the region and eventually to many parts of the world.

From its earliest days, Chogan was regarded as the sport of kings and nobility, a distinction it continues to enjoy today. An interesting reminder of its importance in Persian history is the vast size of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, which was designed in part to accommodate Chogan matches and exhibitions held during the Safavid era, reflecting the Safavid monarchs’ great enthusiasm for the sport.