Most Prestigious Global Squash Tournaments

Squash has a number of high-profile tournaments that every fan should know. These events attract the world's top players, offer significant prize money, and often carry rich histories or iconic settings.

Below is an overview of the most prestigious active tournaments on the professional squash circuit, for men and women, followed by a comparison table of key details.

PSA World Championships (Men's and Women's)

The PSA World Championships are the pinnacle of professional squash, effectively the sport's "World Open." Held annually, this tournament determines the official world champion. Its venue rotates globally, and recent editions have been hosted in major squash hubs like Chicago, USA and Cairo, Egypt.

The event is run by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and sanctioned by the World Squash Federation as the official individual world championship.

• Prestige: Widely regarded as the most prestigious title in squash. Winners earn the status of World Champion.
• Prize money: The highest on tour. In recent years the combined purse has been around 1.1 million US dollars, split equally between men and women, which makes it one of the richest events in squash.
• When: Annually, usually around May or June. The 2023-24 final was held in Cairo in May 2024, and the 2024-25 edition was staged in Chicago in May 2025.

Notable champions: Historically, Pakistan's Jahangir Khan won the world title six times and Jansher Khan won it eight times, while Malaysia's Nicol David won a record eight women's titles. In recent years Egypt has dominated.

Ali Farag (Egypt) won three consecutive men's world titles before his run ended in 2024, while Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) has amassed multiple women's titles. In 2023-24 Diego Elias of Peru became the first South American to win a squash world title, and Nouran Gohar (Egypt) captured her maiden women's world title, showing the event's global reach.

Unique significance: This tournament awards the sport's ultimate prize, the title of World Champion. It is the marquee event in squash, similar to a World Cup for an individual sport. Striking venues are often chosen: the 2018-19 edition took place beside Chicago's skyline, and the 2021-22 event was staged next to the pyramids in Egypt.

British Open (United Kingdom)

The British Open is the oldest squash tournament in the world and one of the most illustrious. Often called the "Wimbledon of squash," the men's open has been held since 1930 and carries tremendous historical significance.

After various homes over the decades, it is currently hosted in Birmingham, England, having moved there in 2023 after a long stint in Hull. The event is part of the PSA World Tour (Platinum level) and features both men's and women's draws.

• Prestige: Second only to the World Championships in renown. The trophy is one of the most coveted in squash, and the event's longevity and list of past winners add to its standing. It is often compared to a Grand Slam in importance.
• Prize money: Substantial and equal for men and women. The 2025 edition had a total prize pool of 610,000 US dollars split evenly across the draws, making it one of the richest regular tour events.
• When: Annually, typically in spring. The 2024-25 edition took place in early June 2025 in Birmingham.

Notable champions: The honour roll is a who's who of squash legends. Pakistan's Jahangir Khan dominated with a record 10 titles, and Australia's Heather McKay won 16 consecutive women's titles, an unmatched feat.

More recently, Ali Farag (Egypt) won in 2023 and Mostafa Asal (Egypt) in 2024 on the men's side, with New Zealand's Paul Coll taking back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022. Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) has won several of the recent women's titles, and Hania El Hammamy (Egypt) took the women's crown in 2022. This Egyptian presence reflects the country's current strength in squash.

Unique features: As the sport's oldest open, it carries a sense of tradition. Finals have been held in prestigious venues from London's Wembley in the 1980s to Hull's sports arena, and now Birmingham. It was the first British major to offer equal prize money, from 2017. The British Open's prestige and history, as the benchmark of greatness for much of the 20th century, make it a must-know event for fans.

PSA World Tour Finals

The PSA World Tour Finals is the season-ending championship, featuring only the year's top-performing players. Unlike the knockout format of other tournaments, this event uses a round-robin group stage followed by semifinals and finals. Separate events are held for men and women, usually at the same venue, organised by the PSA as a climax to the season.

• Location: It varies. Cairo, Egypt hosted it in recent years, but for the 2023-24 season it was held in Bellevue, Washington, USA, and the following edition moved to Toronto, Canada. In prior seasons Cairo staged the event at the Mall of Arabia under the sponsorship of CIB. Dubai hosted from 2016 to 2018 under the "World Series Finals" name.
• Prize money: High for an invitational event, recently around 300,000 US dollars for the eight-player draw in each division. Winners claim a prestigious title and a sizeable payday.
• When: Annually in June, after all other major tournaments, wrapping up the squash season.

Notable champions: Only the elite qualify, so winners are usually the world's best. Egypt's Mostafa Asal won three consecutive World Tour Finals (2021, 2022, 2023), becoming the second man after Peter Nicol to achieve that. In 2023-24, Egypt's Ali Farag and Nouran Gohar took the titles. Other past winners include Mohamed ElShorbagy, Karim Abdel Gawad, and Nour El Sherbini.

Unique features: The format sets it apart. Round-robin pool play means fans see more matchups among top players in a single week. It is analogous to tennis's ATP and WTA Finals.

The event often has an intimate atmosphere and a showcase venue: the Cairo editions were set against backdrops like the Nile, and the recent U.S. edition tied in with a major sponsor. Only the top eight players in the world qualify, so every match is of the highest quality.

U.S. Open (United States Open)

The U.S. Open Squash Championships is the premier squash tournament in North America and one of the most significant worldwide. The modern softball event was reinstituted in 1985, and it now sits as a PSA World Tour Platinum event. The tournament is organised by US Squash in conjunction with the PSA.

• Location: Philadelphia, USA, traditionally at Drexel University and more recently at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center, a state-of-the-art facility that has become the home of American squash.
• Governing body: PSA (World Tour Platinum event) and US Squash (host organisers).
• Prize money: In the upper tier of tour events, with each of the men's and women's draws offering around 213,500 US dollars in recent years. The U.S. Open was among the first major events to pay men and women equally, back in 2013. The prize purse and ranking points consistently attract the world's top 10 players.
• When: Annually in the autumn, usually October. The U.S. Open often kicks off the fall season of major tournaments.

Notable champions: In the past decade Egyptian players have often triumphed. Ali Farag has multiple U.S. Open titles, including 2024, and Nouran Gohar won the women's title in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024, becoming the event's first four-time champion. The 2022 edition saw a breakthrough for Peru's Diego Elias, who claimed the men's championship. Other names like Mohamed ElShorbagy, Gregory Gaultier, and Nicol David have also won here.

Unique features: The U.S. Open is known for its progressive touches. It was one of the first major events to pay men and women equally and to run their draws side by side. Held in a major American city, it helps grow the sport's profile in the U.S. The venue allows for a strong spectator experience, and the event usually features extra activities like fan zones and junior competitions. It is a key stop for all pros given its prestige and points.

J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions (New York, USA)

The Tournament of Champions is a favourite among players and fans for its venue and atmosphere. Held annually in New York City, the event takes place inside Grand Central Terminal, with a glass court erected in Vanderbilt Hall.

This setting, an active train station, gives the event a dramatic flair, as commuters and spectators alike can watch world-class squash in an iconic location. It is a PSA World Tour Platinum event.

• Location: Grand Central Terminal, New York City. Few sporting events in the world take place in a train station. The marble hall and the buzz of New York make for a distinctive spectator experience.
• Governing body: PSA (Platinum level event). Sponsored by J.P. Morgan for many years, reflected in its title.
• Prize money: Around 239,000 US dollars per draw in recent editions, with equal prize money for men and women. The event consistently attracts the top players of each gender.
• When: January each year, opening the calendar. The 2025 edition ran in late January. Squash has taken over Grand Central's Vanderbilt Hall every winter since 1994.

Notable champions: Ali Farag (Egypt) has made the event his own recently, winning titles including 2022, 2024, and 2025. Other recent men's winners include Diego Elias (Peru, 2023) and Mohamed ElShorbagy.

On the women's side, Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) and Nouran Gohar (Egypt) have traded titles: Sherbini won in 2018, 2019, and 2024, while Gohar won in 2022, and Hania El Hammamy took the 2025 title. France's Camille Serme also won here in 2020.

Unique features: The setting is the biggest draw. Spectators sit only a few feet from a bustling train terminal, and passersby can stop and watch through the glass. This creates an electric atmosphere and exposes squash to new audiences.

The name harks back to an old invitational event, but it is now an open PSA major. It is also one of the longest-running pro events, with the men's championship dating to 1930 and the women's to 2001, adding historical weight.

Hong Kong Open (Hong Kong, China)

The Hong Kong Open is one of Asia's most storied and significant squash tournaments. Held annually in Hong Kong, usually in November, it features both men's and women's draws and has been a staple of the tour apart from brief interruptions. It began in 1985 and reached PSA Platinum status on the modern tour.

• Location: Hong Kong, with early rounds at the Hong Kong Squash Centre and finals typically played on an all-glass court outdoors near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on the Victoria Harbour waterfront. The skyline and harbour as a backdrop make for a memorable venue.
• Governing body: PSA (Platinum event). Locally organised by Hong Kong Squash, which has also hosted other major events like the World Open and Asian Championships.
• Prize money: Roughly 150,000 US dollars per draw in the late 2010s, with increases in more recent editions to around 224,500 US dollars per draw.
• When: November each year, with some variation. In 2022 it was one of the first major tournaments after Hong Kong's reopening, and it retained its usual late-year slot.

Notable champions: Hong Kong has seen the sport's giants in action. In the men's draw, Pakistan's Jahangir Khan won here in the 1980s during his unbeaten streak. More recently, Egypt's Mohamed ElShorbagy and Ramy Ashour each lifted the trophy.

The 2018 men's champion was Mohamed ElShorbagy, and in 2022 the title went to Mostafa Asal (Egypt), who defeated Peru's Diego Elias in a thrilling final. On the women's side, New Zealand's Joelle King was champion in 2018, Egypt's Hania El Hammamy won in 2022 and 2023, and Nouran Gohar took the title in 2024.

Unique features: The Hong Kong Open is known for its energetic crowd and urban venue. The outdoor glass court for the semis and finals, often set against the skyline, provides a striking experience.

The event has historical significance as one of the original PSA Super Series stops. After challenges including the 2019 protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused cancellations, the Hong Kong Open returned in 2022, confirming Hong Kong's place on the squash map.

Qatar Classic (Doha, Qatar)

The Qatar Classic is the flagship squash tournament of the Middle East. Hosted in Doha, Qatar, usually at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, it has been a regular major since its re-establishment in 2001, with earlier iterations in the 1990s under a different name. The Qatar Classic is a PSA Platinum event for men and was reintroduced for women in recent years.

• Location: Doha, Qatar, typically indoors at a national sports complex, sometimes with a glass court staged for showcase matches. Qatar has also hosted other squash majors like the World Championships, and the Qatar Classic benefits from the country's facilities.
• Governing body: PSA (Platinum event). Backed by Qatar's squash federation and often a title sponsor. Qatar's support of squash since the 1990s has made this event a fixture.
• Prize money: Around 187,500 US dollars per draw in recent editions, with the 2024 edition rising to roughly 215,000 US dollars for each draw, keeping pace with other top tournaments.
• When: October or November annually, usually in the fall.

Notable champions: A wide range of top players have won in Doha. The ElShorbagy brothers have both won the Qatar Classic, Mohamed multiple times and Marwan in 2017. Peter Nicol and Lee Beachill (England) took titles in the early 2000s, while Karim Darwish (Egypt) won twice in the late 2000s.

In 2021, Diego Elias (Peru) won the men's title, the first major Platinum title for a South American man, and he won again in 2024, defeating Egypt's Mostafa Asal. The 2022 men's champion was Mohamed ElShorbagy, by then representing England. On the women's side, the event was revived in 2023, with Hania El Hammamy (Egypt) winning that year and Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) taking the 2024 title.

Unique features: The Qatar Classic is known for its organisation and hospitality, and players often speak highly of it. It helped pioneer large prize purses outside the sport's traditional heartlands, paving the way for global prize money standards.

The tournament also reflects the Middle East's growth in squash, with Qatar's support extending to hosting World Championships. It often produces upsets and breakthrough runs, making it exciting for fans.

El Gouna International (El Gouna, Egypt)

The El Gouna International is a relatively newer tournament, first held in 2010 for men, that has quickly become one of the most popular stops on the tour. Held in the resort town of El Gouna, Egypt on the Red Sea, the event is known for its setting, an outdoor glass court by the marina, and enthusiastic crowds. It is a PSA World Tour Platinum event, held annually, usually in April, for men since 2010 and for women since 2018.

• Location: El Gouna, Egypt, an upscale resort town. Matches are played at the Abu Tig Marina venue, with evening sessions under the lights and often a seaside breeze. The setting makes it a favourite for photography and broadcasts.
• Governing body: PSA (Platinum event). Supported by Egyptian sponsors. It is part of Egypt's strong portfolio of major squash events.
• Prize money: Roughly 198,000 US dollars per draw in 2024, in line with other Platinum events, with figures rising in later editions.
• When: April each year, sometimes spilling into early May. It typically falls toward the end of the PSA season. The 2024 edition took place from 19 to 26 April 2024.

Notable champions: The El Gouna titles have mostly been won by Egyptians, reflecting Egypt's depth of talent. On the men's side, Karim Darwish won the inaugural 2010 event, and Ramy Ashour went on to claim three titles (2012, 2014, 2015) in epic finals against Mohamed ElShorbagy.

ElShorbagy himself won in 2016, and Ali Farag won in 2023 and 2024. Gregory Gaultier (France) won in 2017 and Diego Elias (Peru) won in 2026, the only non-Egyptian men to take the title. In the women's event, since its 2018 start, Raneem El Welily won the first two editions (2018, 2019), Nour El Sherbini won in 2021, Hania El Hammamy in 2022, and Nouran Gohar in 2023 and 2024.

Unique features: El Gouna offers a festival-like atmosphere. Matches are often scheduled later in the evening to avoid daytime heat, giving them a night-time show under lights. The crowd is a mix of local squash fans and international tourists who find a world-class sporting event during their holiday.

Players often mention how special it is to play next to the water under the stars. The success of El Gouna reflects the Egyptian squash boom and shows how the sport can be staged in scenic outdoor settings.

CIB Egyptian Open (Great Pyramids, Egypt)

Another spectacular event in Egypt is the CIB Egyptian Open, famous for its venue at the Great Pyramids of Giza in Cairo. This tournament, revived from 2018 onward, is a PSA Platinum event that recalls the Al-Ahram tournament of the 1990s, when squash was played in front of the pyramids. The modern Egyptian Open has quickly become one of the tour's most iconic stops thanks to this backdrop.

• Location: Cairo, Egypt, at the Pyramids of Giza. A glass court is erected with the pyramids and the Sphinx visible in the background, creating one of the most striking venues in all of squash. Few experiences match watching a squash match next to ancient wonders of the world.
• Governing body: PSA (Platinum event). Sponsored by Commercial International Bank (CIB) and supported by the Egyptian Squash Federation.
• Prize money: Among the highest on tour, rivalling even the World Championship. The 2022 Egyptian Open had a record 300,000 US dollar prize fund for each of the men's and women's draws, roughly 600,000 US dollars combined, placing it at the top of Platinum events for prize money.
• When: September, early in the season. The 2021 edition was in mid-September, and the 2022 edition took place from 19 to 25 September 2022. Scheduling can vary, but it often opens the new season.

Notable champions: Since its revival, Egyptian players have dominated on home soil. In 2022, Ali Farag (Egypt) won the men's title and Hania El Hammamy (Egypt) won the women's, with Farag defeating New Zealand's Paul Coll and El Hammamy overcoming Nouran Gohar in the finals.

Previous editions saw Karim Abdel Gawad and Nour El Sherbini as champions in 2019, and Mostafa Asal and Nouran Gohar took the titles in 2020. Every winner so far has been Egyptian, fitting given the setting and the depth of Egyptian talent. International stars still relish competing there, and the field always includes the world's top players.

Unique features: The pyramids venue is the defining feature. Night matches under spotlights with the pyramids in the darkness create a memorable atmosphere. The tournament links the ancient and modern, with players competing for one of squash's richest prizes in the shadow of structures more than 4,000 years old.

The Egyptian Open at Giza has become a bucket-list event for players and fans, and it underscores Egypt's stature in the sport. For many, images from this tournament have come to represent squash's global and historic reach.

Comparison of Key Tournament Details

The table below summarises key details of these prestigious squash events for quick reference.

Each of these tournaments contributes to squash's global landscape. They span different regions, from the pyramids of Egypt to the heart of Manhattan, showing the sport's international reach and the varied ways it can be staged.

Events like these offer high stakes in ranking points and prize funds, and they carry the legacy and passion of squash, making them worth following for any squash fan.