ISLAMABAD: The World Squash Federation (WSF) has announced that Squash Australia (SqA) will host the 2026 WSF World Masters Championships.
This event will mark the sixth time Australia has held the World Masters, having previously hosted the men’s event in 1979, the women’s events in 1982 and 1990, and combined events in 1995 and 2001, said a press release.
The World Masters is a biennial tournament featuring squash players aged 35 and older competing in various age categories for the title of world champion. The most recent championships took place in Amsterdam, Netherlands, attracting a record number of over 1,000 participants.
Robert Donaghue, CEO of Squash Australia, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming event: “Australia has a rich history in squash, and while we have hosted the World Masters five times since 1979, it has been over two decades since we last held this event. We are thrilled to bring it back.”
He highlighted the success of Australian players at this year’s championships, with 60 Australians competing in Amsterdam. Notably, Geoff Davenport and Sue Hillier both secured titles, and Donaghue emphasized the camaraderie among participants in this vibrant festival of squash.
“As we look ahead to 2026, we anticipate thrilling matches on the court and hope all attendees take the opportunity to explore our beautiful country. Many will be visiting Australia for the first time, and what better way to experience it than by combining the World Masters with an exploration of our great land?”
Ron Smith, President of the Australian Masters Squash Association, added, “We are excited to welcome everyone to Australia for the World Masters in 2026. We look forward to collaborating with Squash Australia to deliver a memorable tournament.”
WSF President Zena Wooldridge echoed this sentiment, stating, “After hosting a successful World Juniors two years ago, there is no doubt that SqA will excel once again with the World Masters. It’s fantastic news for the sport to see the return of the World Masters to Australia after more than 20 years.”
