It’s official! Squash will make its debut at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. Read all about it and where you can witness world-class action live in London.
The waiting is over for squash fans. The news the sport thought it may never hear was confirmed this month by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Squash will be part of the Olympic Games in 2028. And what better way to celebrate than watching the current stars of squash in London this spring!
SQUASH IN THE OLYMPICS
The IOC confirmed squash’s inclusion at LA28 on 16 October.  A week earlier the LA28 Organising Committee named squash as one of the five additional sports on their programme (the others being baseball/softball, cricket, flag football and lacrosse). That decision was officially ratified by the IOC at its 141st Session in Mumbai.
“The choice of these five new sports is in line with the American sports culture and will showcase iconic American sports to the world, while bringing international sports to the United States. These sports will make the Olympic Games LA28 unique,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
“Their inclusion will allow the Olympic Movement to engage with new athlete and fan communities in the US and globally.”
Squash makes its Olympic debut at the LA28 Games. Elite players will get the opportunity to compete on the biggest sporting stage on the planet, in two medal events. A women’s and men’s singles competition.
The momentous decision was some 20+ years in the making. The sport had lobbied five times in a row (the previous four being unsuccessful) to be part of the Olympic Games. There’s no turning back now, squash has its own page on the Olympics website. Squash is derived from the game of racquets played in London prisons in the 18th century. Who knew?
SQUASH IN LONDON
The long road to the west coast of America starts now for those dreaming of squash eternity.  Do you want to see what all the fuss is about? Say no more! As every year, in the spring, for a glorious couple of weeks, London becomes the centre of the squash universe courtesy of the Optasia Championship and GillenMarkets London Squash Classic ⤵️
Optasia Championship
The Optasia Championship returns to The Wimbledon Club from Tuesday 12 to 17 March 2024. A PSA World Tour Gold event, a total prize pot in excess of $100,000 will be at stake. And for the first time this year a women’s PSA World Tour Bronze event has been added to the schedule.
Egypt’s Karim Abdel Gawad (currently world No.6 in the men’s rankings) became a two-time winner of the tournament with a straight-game 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 victory over his fellow countryman Youssef Soliman in 2023. This year world No.1 Ali Farag (who won in 2022) headlines another stellar men’s cast set to compete at the Wimbledon Club venue based just over the road from the famous tennis championships. Meanwhile in the women’s draw world No.4 Nele Gilis will be the player to beat.
London Squash Classic
The GillenMarkets London Squash Classic takes place from Thursday 28 March to Monday 1 April.  Stand by for five days of world-class squash in iconic surroundings of Alexandra Palace. The London Squash Classic is a new event replaying the Canary Wharf Squash Classic on the PSA World Tour calendar.
Over the last two decades the Canary Wharf Classic has established itself as one of the most highly anticipated events in the squash calendar. The title has been held aloft by world champions such as Mohamed ElShorbagy and Nick Matthew. Proposed refurbishments to the East Wintergarden venue mean it can no longer host a squash event. And so a new era commences in March 2024 with the inaugural London Squash Classic featuring a men’s and women’s draw.
Don’t miss the world’s best players showcasing their skills in the capital. Get your tickets now to enjoy a festival of squash in London!