Equipment consists of a standard polo ball and a 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) to 3 metres (9.8 ft) cane (similar to bamboo) sticks with a polo mallet head on the end.

WEPA enforces strict rules regarding elephant welfare and game play.

Other tournaments, such as those played in India and Sri Lanka, are managed independently of each other and the World Elephant Polo Association.

Sri Lanka held an annual tournament in Galle under the auspices of the Ceylon Elephant Polo Association, however this ended in 2007 after an out of control elephant damaged several cars.

[2] Allegations of cruel treatment of polo elephants, made by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, have led to match cancellation, sponsorship withdrawal and the removal of references to elephant polo records in the Guinness Book of World Records.