Commission recommends $75,000 for Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championship expansion at WestWorld

The Tourism Development Commission recommended up to $75,000 in bed‑tax funding for the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championship at WestWorld, a multi‑day event that organizers say will expand this year to include an art and wine festival and a veterans match.

Jason Rose, owner and producer of the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championship, told commissioners the event has grown from a one‑day format into a four‑day program and expects about 25,000 attendees depending on weather. Rose said organizers moved the event back two weeks to November to reduce heat concerns and are adding Sunday programming anchored by a “battle of the sexes” match plus a gospel brunch and the WestWorld Art and Wine experience produced by Vermillion Productions. He said organizers contracted a Scottsdale golf course for the Final Four VIP golf tournament and have partnered with the Arizona Polo Club; national and international teams, including England’s Royal Berkshire County team, are scheduled to take part.

Rose said the event has captured an estimated $13 million in earned media since its inception and that roughly 15–19% of attendees historically come from out of state. He announced an Army versus Navy match for Saturday and said veterans would receive free admission on Sunday through a partnership with Vet Tix. He told commissioners the $75,000 request is primarily to augment marketing and to cover additional operational costs for the new second day—items such as WestWorld rentals, security and off‑duty police.

Commissioners asked about the expected draw from out‑of‑state visitors; Rose said Sunday programming is intended to extend visits but could not provide a precise incremental out‑of‑state estimate. A motion to recommend $75,000 in bed‑tax support was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.