Top National Squash Centers Around the Globe

National squash centers serve as focal points for developing elite players and hosting major events, combining world-class facilities with dedicated coaching programs. Highlighted below are some of the most renowned national squash centers globally, each playing a pivotal role in nurturing talent and elevating the sport.

National Squash Centre (Manchester, UK)

The National Squash Centre in Manchester stands as a premier facility with a rich legacy in British squash. Opened in 2002 as part of the Commonwealth Games infrastructure, it features seven courts (six glass-backed courts convertible for doubles play, plus a signature all-glass show court with arena seating). The center was designed with high-performance training in mind, including modern ventilation, lighting, and on-site sports science and medical support for athletes.

As the training base for England Squash’s national academy, the Manchester center has been instrumental in producing top British players. It has also been a stage for prestigious competitions. The venue hosted the British National Championships for well over a decade and has welcomed major international events such as the World Squash Championships and the annual PSA Manchester Open. 

With its 1,000-seat show court and spectator-friendly design, Manchester’s National Squash Centre remains a cornerstone of squash in the UK, blending community programs with elite player development.

National Squash Centre (Cairo, EG)

Cairo’s National Squash Centre lies at the heart of the world’s most dominant squash nation. Located at the Cairo International Stadium sports complex, this center boasts advanced facilities and multiple courts, serving as a breeding ground for international champions. Egypt’s squash prowess is unparalleled – a reflection of a deep talent pool fostered in part by the training hubs in Cairo. The center offers an array of training programs led by expert coaches, immersing promising juniors in a culture steeped in squash excellence. It has become common to see both local and visiting teams training on the Cairo Stadium courts, drawn by the high level of competition and coaching there.

Beyond the official national center, Cairo is also home to elite private academies that bolster Egypt’s success. For example, the Black Ball Squash Academy in New Cairo (one of the country’s newest large clubs) houses 14 singles courts, 2 doubles courts, and a stunning all-glass show court with seating for 800 spectators. Such state-of-the-art venues, alongside the national center, have enabled Egypt to produce dozens of world champions and host high-profile events. 

From the grassroots to the professional level, the Cairo squash complex and its surrounding institutions collectively sustain Egypt’s squash dynasty.

Arlen Specter U.S. Squash Center (Philadelphia, USA)

Opened in 2021, the Arlen Specter U.S. Squash Center in Philadelphia has quickly become one of the world’s foremost squash facilities. It is recognized as the world’s largest community squash center with 20 courts open to the public. Housed in a historic armory on Drexel University’s campus, the Specter Center features 18 singles courts – including two all-glass exhibition courts – plus 2 North American doubles courts. This expansive venue now serves as the headquarters of U.S. Squash and includes the national Hall of Fame and a Learning & Innovation youth academy on-site. Elite training resources are available for Team USA athletes, making it the hub for the country’s high-performance program.

The Specter Center has also elevated the United States’ profile in hosting events. Since opening, it has become the venue for the U.S. Open Squash Championships, a top-tier PSA Platinum tournament, after decades of the event being held elsewhere. In 2023 it hosted the 50th edition of the U.S. Open, underlining the center’s capability to stage world-class competitions. The facility has additionally accommodated large-scale junior events – for instance, the U.S. Junior Open with over 1,000 players from 50+ countries was held here, highlighting its capacity and outreach. 

In sum, Philadelphia’s Specter Center combines broad community access with elite competition, reflecting a strategic effort to grow squash at all levels in the U.S.

National Squash Centre (Kuala Lumpur, MY)

Malaysia’s National Squash Centre, located in Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil Sports City, is a state-of-the-art complex that has significantly influenced Asian squash. Built for the 1998 Commonwealth Games, the center includes a championship show court (named the Nicol David Arena since 2009 in honor of Malaysia’s eight-time world champion) with seating for about 1,000 spectators. Surrounding the glass show court are 10 standard courts that can be converted into 8 doubles courts, each with spectator galleries of their own. The venue also houses athlete amenities such as a players’ lounge, training gym, and press facilities, ensuring a complete support environment for both training and events.

This Kuala Lumpur center has a strong legacy of hosting major tournaments. It was the squash venue for the Commonwealth Games and has since welcomed numerous Asian Championships and professional tour events. Notably, it was slated to host the 2021 Men’s World Team Championship – the first time in over two decades that Malaysia would hold that event. (Though that championship was ultimately canceled, being selected reflects the center’s international caliber.) The facility continues to stage the Malaysian Open and other international competitions, and it remains the training ground for Malaysia’s national teams and junior development squads. 

With recent upgrades initiated in 2023 to modernize its courts and infrastructure, the Malaysian National Squash Centre upholds its reputation as a top-tier squash venue in the region – one forever linked to the legacy of Nicol David and the rise of Malaysian squash on the world stage.

Australian National Squash Centre (Carrara, AU)

Opened as a legacy of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Australian National Squash Centre in Carrara is a modern high-performance hub for the sport. The facility was uniquely constructed by relocating the entire squash venue used during the Commonwealth Games: six advanced glass-backed courts and a state-of-the-art all-glass show court were reassembled at Carrara after the Games. This pioneering effort created Australia’s first permanent national squash center, complete with moveable walls and championship-level specifications on all courts.

Located within the Carrara Sports Precinct, the center doubles as Squash Australia’s National Performance Centre. It is home to the country’s elite training program and national coaching staff, who oversee development of top Australian players. The venue has also begun to attract international events. It hosted the World Squash Federation’s World Doubles Championship in 2019, soon after opening, and was scheduled to host the World Junior Championships in 2020 (though that event was disrupted by the pandemic). Domestic championships and professional PSA tournaments have found a regular home here as well. 

Squash Australia officials have lauded the Carrara Centre as an “amazing legacy outcome” – not only keeping the Commonwealth Games courts in use, but providing a dedicated national stage to inspire the next generation of Australian players.

Indian Squash Academy (Chennai, IN)

The Indian Squash Academy in Chennai is a leading example of a national training center that has propelled a country’s competitive fortunes. Established in 2000 by the Squash Rackets Federation of India, the academy offers a comprehensive facility that includes eight courts in total. Among these are multiple glass-back courts and an ASB four-sided glass show court (with seating for about 500 spectators), as well as courts with movable walls that can convert to doubles courts. The center also provides on-site accommodation and sports science support for players in residence, creating an immersive training environment.

This academy has been the cradle of modern Indian squash success. It has produced many of India’s top professionals – including former top-20 players Saurav Ghosal, Joshna Chinappa, and Dipika Pallikal – who all honed their games in Chennai. To expose its athletes to high-level competition at home, the facility has hosted numerous international events. It was the venue for the 2007 Men’s World Team Championship, a milestone for India on the world stage, and has regularly hosted the Asian Junior Championships (in 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2018). 

By combining world-class infrastructure with strong coaching (often in collaboration with international experts), the Indian Squash Academy has elevated India into a consistent presence in the global squash arena.

Hong Kong Squash Centre (HK)

Situated in the heart of Hong Kong’s city center, the Hong Kong Squash Centre is a renowned national facility known for its large capacity and vibrant squash culture. The center contains 18 air-conditioned courts, including one three-sided glass exhibition court with seating for roughly 280 spectators. As the largest squash complex in Hong Kong (a city with one of the most active squash communities in Asia), it serves both as a public sports venue and the de facto training base for Hong Kong’s national squads.

The Hong Kong Squash Centre has a longstanding tradition of hosting major tournaments. Each year it is the principal venue for the Hong Kong Open, a Professional Squash Association Platinum event that attracts the world’s top players. The electric atmosphere during the Hong Kong Open – with the glass court staged for packed audiences – has made it one of the sport’s most iconic annual events. Aside from professional tours, the center also accommodates many junior and amateur events, reflecting Hong Kong’s commitment to developing talent. Extensive coaching programs run on-site for players of all ages and skill levels, contributing to Hong Kong’s ability to consistently produce world-class players and Asian Games champions.

The Hong Kong Squash Centre’s blend of extensive facilities and competitive spirit exemplifies how a well-supported national center can foster both broad participation and elite success.

Wrap Up

National squash centers are the sport's backbone, combining strong facilities, structured coaching, major events, and daily training to raise standards and develop talent. Their models differ by country, yet all contribute to higher rankings, broader participation, and sustained global growth.