Over the weekend I watched an exciting Veuve Clicquot polo match while enjoying a day of picnicking and champagne sipping at the Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. This is their 9th annual event held at the same park.
This is my first experience watching a polo match. When my sister had access to buy the first slot tickets I didn’t hesitate to join her. Okay, so the price was a bit steep even for General Admission ($85) I thought it would be fun just to experience it once. Surprisingly, the event was sold out very fast. If you want to attend next year’s event here are my recommendations to enjoy the experience like a VIP ($485 per person) without paying the hefty price.
TICKETS
The Veuve Clicquot event offers three ticketing experiences. Rose Garden is an intimate and exclusive experience that includes a free bottle of champagne and a gourmet brunch. This is available $485 per person. I think the price will be more next year. The Fast Pass ticket option grants guests fast-pass line privileges for shuttles to-and-from the general admission event grounds and it is $60 more than the general admission, which is $85 per person. You have to be 21+ to purchase and attend the event.
We bought the general admission ticket option but here’s how you can sip the champagne and enjoy the polo match game as if you’re in Rose Garden enjoying the game like loyalty.
EARLY ARRIVAL
The game starts at 2 pm and they provide free shuttles with the first one leaving the drop off location as early as 10:45 am. So we parked our car at a park (free parking all day) near the drop off location and Uber to the drop off location. It took us less than 5 minutes to get there. Otherwise, the parking would have been $40 at the drop off location.
LOCATE A GOOD SEAT AT THE EVENT
Once you get off the shuttle bus locate a place near the lawn area so that you have the full view of the game. Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket and just leave it there to reserve your spot. There are tables with benches covered by the umbrellas and if you could snag one do it. We missed our first shuttle bus so by the time we got there the picnic tables were all taken. Luckily there were spaces available in the lawn area, which has no obstruction view of the game.
PHOTO BOOTHS
I know you want to get the champagne first but DON’T because there won’t be a line. If you are into taking pictures for your experience and share that with your friends on social media my recommendation is to take those pictures first because the line will get full and long very very quickly. There isn’t a moderator so if a girl decides to take 50 to 100 photos on one spot you will just have to wait for your turn. The average wait per line is one hour so do this first to avoid standing in line. I think Veuve Clicquot needs to have more photo booths for next year’s event.
CHAMPAGNE
You can’t really avoid this if you love a glass of champagne while picnicking and watch the game. We paid $27 for a glass…yep you heard me right! That’s how they get you. If you have friends coming with you to the event my recommendation is to buy the entire bottle ($217) and split the cost.
WHAT TO WEAR
The recommended attire is preppy ensembles for stomping divots or sipping champagne field side. Do you remember the polka dot dress that Julia Roberts wore at a polo match game in Prety Women? Yep, ideally, that’s how a lady should dress for this type of event.
You will be walking from and to the shuttles and the park a lot so wear comfortable shoes. Veuve Clicquot does not allow any drop-offs at the event so you have to take a shuttle to get there. We are talking about an entire day of the event and you want to be comfortable in your shoes at all times. I would strongly suggest to wear flat sandals or bring a pair of flip-flops to change.
PROTECTION
Luckily the weather was nice and not as sunny for us but you may want to wear a hat or bring an umbrella or SPF parasol to protect your skin from the sun. Always wear sunscreen.
FOOD AND SNACKS
You can bring your own food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages to the event. Although they have food trucks that you can buy food from I would recommend bringing your own food and snacks to save money.
I didn’t think I would enjoy the polo match game as much as I thought. However, this is a sport where women can compete on equal terms with men.
Overall, I had an interesting experience because there was a pile of horse crap a few feet away the entire time. Some people took photos with it including me. And no, no one from Veuve Clicquot bothered to clean it up even though we told several security guards who were standing there. While standing in line waiting for our shuttle bus to return to our drop off location a girl behind me was so wasted that she threw up on my dress. Luckily I brought some baby wipes with me and was able to clean most of it off.
Although the polo match sport is known as the rich man’s game you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to enjoy the game like loyalty.
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