Very little documentation is there about the history of the water polo. However it is known that this game of water polo was originated in lakes and rivers of Scotland and at some parts of England in the midst of 19th century. It is often considered as the aquatic edition of rugby. As slowly swimming came up as one of the popular recreation sports in England and Scotland during 1960s, various water games also developed, roughly in the pattern of swimming with manipulation. Water polo was perhaps among the earliest team game event to be introduced in Olympic game in 1900. At present time’s water polo is one of the most popular sports events throughout the world such as in Russia, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Canada, USA, Australia etc.

According to the history of water polo by the end of the 19th century the rules for water polo were made by William Wilson of Great Britain. According to the early rules the game allowed monster strength, holding opposition player under the water and doing wrestling. The goal keeper stood outside the playing arena and protected the ball from entering the goal post by jumping over the opponent, who attempts to make a goal by putting the ball above the deck. But by 1880s game curtailed its shortcomings. Soon goal post with net was introduced in the game. The new rule was made which emphasized on swimming, scoring by putting the ball into the goal net; tackling was only allowed when the player has the ball with him, and no player could be taken below the water. Soon in 1888, the London Water Polo League was introduced to keep a balance on the variation of various regional rules. This league formed some new amendments in the existing rule to give the game a competitive look. The 1st championship was played between England and Scotland in 1888 where England was defeated by Scotland 4 - 0.

In USA water polo, for the first time was played in 1888. Water polo in USA followed the style of rugby which resembled the American football mode in water. Soon “American style” of water polo became quite popular and by late 1890’s the game was played in venues like Boston’s Mechanics Hall, Madison Square garden, pulling almost about 14000 at a time to national championship games.

In 1928, the history of water polo saw a major modification of the rules of the game, which changed the whole scenario of water polo. Bela komjadi, national water polo team coach of Hungary invented “dry pass” or “air pass” a way of playing which permits a player to pass the ball to his team mates directly without dropping the ball in the water. Otherwise in the past times a player has to thrash the ball in the water then only his team mate could have picked up the ball. This invention made the game more dynamic and less offensive. After that Hungary almost dominated this sport up to 60 years. Then slowly other rules were also introduced to the sports such as introduction of referees, ordinary fouls, exclusion fouls, limitation for the possession of the ball for a player at a time only up to 45 sec, free throw etc. now at present day it is one of the most popular sporting event in the summer Olympic. Since 1973, water polo world championship is being organized by FINA. FINA also organize water polo world league every year.