Year 12 and going strong! There’s no stopping the enthusiasm of the thousands of people who flock to the beautiful beaches of Sandbanks on the second weekend in July.

What has become known as “The Sandbanks Weekend” or “The Sandbanks Festival" in the sporting and social calendar of the south coast of England continues to attract the crowds year after year.

Curiosity brought people to watch high quality beach polo at Sandbanks for the first few years but since then the parties, hospitality, fashion shows and now a beach rugby element, not to mention the Sandfest music festival on the Sunday, has kept the audience guessing and wanting more.

The heavily watered beach arena provides a firm playing surface, and when surrounded by elaborate marquees, staging and grandstands The British Beach Polo Championships, otherwise known as Sandpolo has become a must go to event.

With a ticketed capacity of 5,000 on site the polo can also be enjoyed by spectators along the beach from a raised sand platform. This gives polo, over the two-day event, exposure to a wide variety of people and business platforms.

The polo, played under the authority of the Hurlingham Polo Association, attracts four competitive medium goal teams of three players. Each team plays on both days with a further exhibition game on the Saturday. International teams are welcome and bring an interesting dimension. The event has welcomed Australian, South African, Argentinian, Irish and Welsh teams amongst others.

A charity race is held between the two fastest ponies on each day in aid of the Household Cavalry Foundation. The fashion show, held in the main marquee, is the transition from the polo and sporting activities to the epic after-parties. The show features top designers from beach to leisure and evening wear.

The beach parties that follow the day’s polo and the fashion show are a highlight for many. This year The House & Garage Orchestra, with incredible vocalists and DJs, will entertain guests until 1am at the Pure Polo party on the opening night. Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw will host the closing Sandpolo Ocean Party on the Saturday.

Tickets for the Sandpolo Hospitality give holders access to the ringside dining marquee. Starting with a champagne reception guests enjoy a delicious three-course lunch followed by afternoon tea and VIP access to the after-parties.

VIP tickets are also extremely popular providing exclusive bars, loos and luxury seating overlooking the polo arena. Standard Sandpolo tickets still provide the level of service that most other events would class as VIP. The seating, beach food concessions, bars and all day and night entertainment amount to a fantastic chic but relaxed event experience with something for everyone.

Ty Temel and TML Events, who have recently teamed up with Sandpolo to run the event say: "I am thrilled to be part of this unique venture. The location is priceless and the event format is sound. We have added some extra pizzazz this year that I know everyone will enjoy.

"Guests come along for many reasons whether it is the polo, the socialising, the parties, to see and/or be seen. Having been to the event for the last few years the one thing everyone has in common is that they all have a smile on their faces."

Johnny Wheeler, the founder, is extremely grateful for the support Sandpolo receives from the council, local residents and suppliers: "It is a pleasure to work alongside the newly formed BCP Council. The events team are extremely helpful and see the value that we can bring to the area."

Generous sponsorship from established brands such as Sunseeker, Barclays Wealth, Audi and Oakley has ensured the quality of the event remains high and guests are treated to the highest level of service. With continued support from the local authorities Sandpolo will continue to adjust to the ever-changing social dynamic while staying true to its competitive polo roots.

sandpolo.com sandfest.co.uk #thatssopolo