Polo Hamptons, 900 Lumber Lane, Bridgehampton, held matches in 2026 on Saturdays, July 18 and 25, 4 to 7pm. Individual matches can attract as many as 900 guests. Parking is free at the Polo Hamptons property, and valet service is provided by Wilson Company. But organizers recommend Uber or a car service, since navigating the traffic jam after the game can be time consuming.
The lot fills up quickly. When your fancy chariot rolls up late, don’t be surprised to find yourself parking on the roadside. The best way to avoid this is to arrive early, before the matches begin. The walk to check in can be long, and you’ll quickly find the heat is oppressive.
It’s clear to anyone who attends the Hamptons match, that it is that traffic jam getting out that is the greatest nuisance about the event, not the event itself. After each match a long stream of event-goers awaits an exit.
While long tail backs are a deterrent to driving oneself, the problem is not solved by employing an Uber. After the event, try as you might to hail a car: It’s going to cost you. Because there is no staging area at the event for people to conveniently hook up with their Uber (or cab) driver after the event, you’ll have a hard time getting one, as price surge kicks in and the demand outstrips availability.
The open bar awaits for three hours, creating another conundrum. Impaired drivers during the summer weekends make the Suffolk County police increasingly vigilant this time of year. If you take a drive after a few drinks and get pulled over, you have good reason to worry. If convicted of a DWI in New York, your first offense will set you back at least $500.00 in fines. You will have your license revoked for at least six months.
Eastbound Traffic Crawls
The journey out to the Hamptons from the city on a Saturday afternoon is characteristically frustrating and costly as eastbound traffic crawls. On the Long Island Expressway and Route 27, it is going to take you at least three to four hours to get there.
The most obvious route is to hop on Montauk Highway (Route 27) east. By early afternoon it can be gridlocked. For this reason, if you are coming from Southampton you may want to opt for Scuttle Hole Road or the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, approaching Lumber Lane from the north. If you’re already East End, but making your way over from the North Fork, figure on 45 to 60 minutes. Don’t leave it late, else you will miss some (or all) of the match; leave at least 90 minutes before the start. Since lodging near Bridgehampton in-season can be pricey, you might try making your base in the town of Hampton Bays.
Traffic aside, you might be thinking that you’d do better to grab the LIRR (Long Island Railroad) to Bridgehampton, or jump the Hampton Jitney. The problem with these options is that you are going to be left on foot, once you arrive at the station. From there you’ll need to get an Uber or a car service to the site.
Summoning a Car
So, if you do want to do yourself a service, this requires summoning a car that both takes you to the game in reasonable time, while comfortably accommodating you and your companions, not to mention all that stuff you brought with you. If there are five of you, book a six-passenger SUV. Large parties should consider a sprinter van (up to 14 guests) or a coach bus (34 to 38 passengers). If you are taking your staff, attending with colleagues, or showing up with your country club, a coach bus should be your pick.
Just because the match is over, doesn’t mean the entertainment must cease. It’s an evening in the Hamptons, so why wait to go home? Many guests go on to dinner at Topping Rose House, drinks in Sag Harbor or a nightcap in East Hampton Village. If this sounds like what you are planning, discuss with the reservation agent the option of keeping the driver out for the evening.
Obtaining Tickets Can Sometimes Be a Challenge
Get your tickets. Then arrange your transportation. They sell out most years and are sold only through polohamptons.com. If you didn’t secure your tickets in advance, don’t even bother going.
Summers in the Hamptons, and the demand for limousines, are somewhat of a perfect storm. For this reason, plan on booking a limousine service to carry you there and take you home at least two to three weeks ahead, and earlier for Sprinter vans and coach buses.
