Legendary ESPN voice Chris Fowler, long synonymous with college football Saturdays and Grand Slam tennis courts, is expanding his portfolio in 2026 by taking on one of the world’s most elite and visually spectacular sports: polo.
Fowler to call Polo on ESPN
For the first time, Fowler will call play-by-play for the USPA Gold Cup Final on March 29, and he returns for a second straight year to host the U.S. Open Polo Championship Final on April 26 at the USPA National Polo Center in Palm Beach County, Florida. Paired with veteran broadcaster Kenny Rice and Polo Hall-of-Famer Adam Snow, Fowler’s presence behind the microphone signals ESPN’s deepening commitment to growing polo’s global audience.
The move adds yet another high-profile sport to a resume that already reads like a sports broadcasting hall-of-fame checklist. Since 2014, Fowler has served as the lead play-by-play announcer for ESPN’s college football coverage, including the College Football Playoff National Championship. Prior to that, he spent a quarter-century (1990-2014) as the lead host of the network’s iconic College GameDay, the Emmy-winning pregame show that became a Saturday-morning ritual for millions of fans.
Since 2023, he has been ESPN’s No. 2 NFL play-by-play voice, even calling the Super Bowl for ESPN Australia. In 2024, he took on a groundbreaking role as the lead play-by-play announcer for EA Sports’ College Football video game. And since 2003, he has been the network’s signature tennis voice, guiding viewers through Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the U.S. Open.
Now polo joins the list—a sport defined by blistering speed, precise horsemanship and the rare athletic bond between rider and pony. “I’ve had the privilege of covering some of the most iconic events in sports, and what continues to draw me back to the sport of polo is the unique partnership between the polo player and polo pony, as well as the speed and intensity of competition at the highest level,” Fowler said.
“Hosting both the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship allows me to share the energy and uniqueness of this beautiful sport with a broader ESPN audience. There’s nothing quite like seeing these world-class athletes and their equine partners compete in such a fast-paced, strategic game,” he added.
About USA Polo
The USPA Gold Cup, first contested in 1974, ranks as American polo’s second-most prestigious tournament behind only the U.S. Open Polo Championship, which dates to 1904. This season’s Gold Cup features 10 elite teams battling from March 4-29. The U.S. Open, running April 1-26, draws the planet’s top players and horses to the U.S. Polo Assn. Stadium Field One in Wellington. Both events have called Palm Beach County home since 2004, and ESPN’s coverage—airing on multiple platforms including ESPN2—will bring the action to households worldwide.
The expanded role builds on ESPN’s long-standing partnership with Global Polo, the entertainment arm of USPA Global. “Our long-term relationship with ESPN continues to elevate the sport of polo, the U.S. Polo Assn. brand, and the global momentum behind it,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global.
“Chris Fowler’s return and expanded presence hosting both the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship further strengthens the momentum and visibility of these world-class tournaments to a global audience.”
Stewart Armstrong, Chairman of the United States Polo Association, echoed that sentiment: “The United States Polo Association is delighted to see the continued growth of the sport through our relationship with ESPN. The USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship represent the highest level of competition at the USPA National Polo Center for the American season, and the increased visibility provided by ESPN underscores the athleticism, dedication, and tradition that define our sport.”
Beyond the live finals, ESPN platforms will feature new episodes of the award-winning Breakaway, along with behind-the-scenes content, player features and highlights on Global Polo’s YouTube channel.
At a time when sports media is increasingly fragmented, Fowler’s ability to move seamlessly from college football tailgates to Centre Court at Wimbledon—and now to the thunder of polo ponies charging down the field—underscores his versatility and enduring appeal.
For a sport once considered niche in the United States, Fowler’s polished, authoritative voice could be the catalyst that introduces polo to a whole new generation of fans. As the mallets swing and the crowds roar at the National Polo Center this spring, one thing is certain: Chris Fowler’s broadcasting resume just got a whole lot more dynamic.
