Arena Rule 1. Facilities
Green Book 2025, Rule 1 · Arena
In plain English
300 x 150 feet is ideal. Walls at least five foot, solid at the bottom.
- The ideal arena is 300 feet long by 150 wide. The stated minimum, 150 by 75, only suits two a side. Sides are marked at halfway and at the 15 and 25 yard points.
- A fence of at least five feet from the playing surface runs round it, and the lower half of that fence must be solid.
- Goals are centred at each end, 10 to 12 feet wide and 12 to 14 feet high - far narrower than grass, and capped in height, which is why arena scoring runs on angles rather than distance. A small arena may go down to 8 by 10 feet, and goals painted on the kneeboards do not count as goals.
- The arena ball is bigger and lighter in feel than a grass ball: 15 to 16.5 inches round, 130 to 150 grams, and it has to bounce between 54 and 64 inches when dropped from 9 feet onto concrete.
The clause that governs
A playing area of 300 feet in length by 150 feet in width is considered ideal for Arena Polo.
Quoted extract · Green Book 2025, Rule 1
11 questions on this rule
What playing area is considered ideal?
- 200ft length 125ft width
- 150ft length 75ft width
- 300ft length 150ft width ✓
- 100ft length 75ft width
The indicated minimum size is 150 feet in length by 75 feet in width; this size would only be suitable for two-a-side.
What is the minimum arena size?
- 150ft length 75ft width ✓
- 100ft length 50ft width
- 200ft length 125ft width
- 300ft length 150ft width
The indicated minimum size is 150 feet in length by 75 feet in width; this size would only be suitable for two-a-side.
The pitch size 150ft length 75ft width is only suitable for what?
- Junior Polo
- Two-a-side ✓
- Three-a-side
- Training games
The indicated minimum size is 150 feet in length by 75 feet in width; this size would only be suitable for two-a-side.
Arena should be surrounded by a solid fence. What is the minimum height?
- 11 inches
- 5ft ✓
- 10ft
- 20ft
The indicated minimum size is 150 feet in length by 75 feet in width; this size would only be suitable for two-a-side.
How wide should the goals be?
- Between 5ft and 6ft
- Between 5m and 6m
- Between 10ft and 12ft ✓
- Between 10m and 12m
Goals. Goals shall be centred at opposite ends of the arena and shall be between 10' and 12' wide and between 12' and 14' high.
In smaller arenas goal size may be reduced. What are the minimum measurements?
- 4ft wide 6ft high
- 6ft wide 10ft high
- 8ft wide unlimited height
- 8ft wide 10ft high ✓
The indicated minimum size is 150 feet in length by 75 feet in width; this size would only be suitable for two-a-side.
What is the required height of the goals in a full size arena?
- 12ft-14ft ✓
- 10ft+
- 12ft-15ft
- 12ft only
Goals. Goals shall be centred at opposite ends of the arena and shall be between 10' and 12' wide and between 12' and 14' high.
Goals painted onto kneeboards are not satisfactory. What additional feature is required?
- Netting
- Goal box ✓
- Metal or wooden goalposts
- Sand
Goals. Goals shall be centred at opposite ends of the arena and shall be between 10' and 12' wide and between 12' and 14' high.
What is the required ball size?
- 4 - 5 inches
- 11.5 - 12.5 inches
- 15 - 16.5 inches ✓
- There is no size requirement
d. Balls. The ball shall be not less than 15" or more than 16.5" in circumference and the weight not less than 130 grams or more than 150 grams.
Weight of the ball?
- 40 - 50 grams
- 100 - 120 grams
- 130 - 150 grams ✓
- 200 grams only
d. Balls. The ball shall be not less than 15" or more than 16.5" in circumference and the weight not less than 130 grams or more than 150 grams.
In a 9ft bounce test on concrete at 70 degrees F, what is the accepted bounce height range?
- 20 - 30 inches
- 30 - 40 inches
- 44 - 54 inches
- 54 - 64 inches ✓
The indicated minimum size is 150 feet in length by 75 feet in width; this size would only be suitable for two-a-side.
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Every rule here is stated in our own words, with short quoted extracts from the HPA Blue Book 2026 and Green Book 2025 and a link to the book itself. Polo Rules Test is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the Hurlingham Polo Association. In any dispute the published rulebook governs.