Polo was previously contested at the 1900, 1908, 1920, and 1924 Olympics, but the 1936 Olympics would be the last time it would appear on the Olympic Program. Argentina had won the gold medal in 1924 and, with the United States, was won of the two strongest polo nations, but the USA did not enter a team in 1936 polo.
The format was unusual. Five teams entered, but Germany and Hungary were considered second-rate polo nations, so they played in Group B, and could not actually compete for the gold medal. Group A consisted of Argentina, Great Britain, and Mexico, who held a round-robin tournament for the gold medal, with Argentina winning its two matches easily and defending its gold medal. Mexico, who finished last in Group A, then met Hungary, who had won Group B be defeating Germany in the only match, for the bronze medal, with Mexico winning, 16-2.
The 1936 polo competition was held on the Maifeld, just outside the Olympiastadion on the Reichssportfeld, which also hosted equestrianism in 1936.
ARG
GBR
MEX