Kiwi heavy-hitters John-Paul Clarkin and Sam Hopkinson set to headline Heineken Urban Polo

The stage is set for one of the best polo matches New Zealand has ever seen.

From well-seasoned pros to brazenly confident heavy-hitters, the roll call of teams playing in the upcoming Heineken Urban Polo is an impressive collection of some of the New Zealand's top players.

Waikato raised John-Paul Clarkin will be one to watch this weekend in his return to the New Zealand polo scene since relocating to the UK.

Clarkin is the highest-ranked New Zealand player, playing off a handicap of seven.

Kiwi Sam Hopkinson, who has represented New Zealand regularly on the international stage, is also set to take to the field as one of the biggest hitters in the game.

The Heineken Polo Open is set to kick off on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

Hopkinson has been playing professionally for the last 15 years and is now one of the top-ranked polo players in the world, taking great pleasure in training and preparing horses to perform at the highest level internationally.

The match of the day will undoubtedly be the clash between Maserati and Two Rivers, a high stakes winner-takes-all duel. This is expected to showcase the best of the best when it comes to finesse and skill on the pitch.

Event managing director Simon Wilson said the talent on display would be second to none.

"The calibre of polo on display will be unparalleled by any other tournament," he said. "We have seen 16-goal polo with four players, this time we are raising the bar by bringing you 18-goal polo with three players – that aggregate is nothing short of impressive."

The Heineken Urban Polo is a mix of music and sport with the action occurring on a smaller field allowing spectators to be close to the riders.

The event will take place on March 16 at the Ellerslie Racecourse infield in Auckland.