The World Masters Squash Championships 2026 will be held in Perth, Western Australia, from 30 August to 6 September 2026. Organised by World Squash, the event brings together players aged 35 and over from around the globe to compete across 20 age and gender categories.

The Masters is squash's largest individual championship by participant count. The 2024 edition in Amsterdam drew a record 1,070+ competitors from 73 countries. Perth is expected to match or exceed that number, backed by Australia's deep squash community and world-class facilities.

This guide covers everything players and organisers need to know: dates, venues, categories, registration, format, and what makes the 2026 edition unique.

Key Facts

Venues

The 2026 Championships will use three venues across Perth's City of Stirling:

Mirrabooka Squash Centre (14 courts) The main competition venue, hosting the bulk of matches across all age categories. With 14 courts, Mirrabooka can run matches simultaneously at scale, critical for an event with 1,000+ entries and 20+ categories.

Bellmont Squash Centre (8 courts) A secondary competition venue handling overflow matches and parallel draws. The combined 22 courts across both venues allow the tournament to schedule hundreds of matches per day.

Karrinyup Shopping Centre (Glass Show Court) A purpose-built all-glass court erected inside Karrinyup Shopping Centre, Western Australia's largest retail precinct. The glass court will host showcase matches visible to the centre's 13.4 million annual visitors, bringing competitive squash to a mainstream audience.

This is exactly the kind of activation that grows the sport: putting live competitive squash in front of people who have never seen it. A shopper walking past a glass court, stopping to watch a rally, is how new fans are made.

Age Categories

The Masters uses 5-year age bands, with separate men's and women's divisions in each:

Each age category is further split into two competition levels:

• Open: For players who have competed in national championships and open-level competitions
• Recreational: For players who have competed at friendship or social level only

This dual-level structure is one of the things that makes the Masters special. It's not just for elite veterans. The recreational division welcomes club players who want an international experience without facing former national champions in round one.

Registration

How to register:

1. Obtain a SPIN (Squash Personal Identification Number) from the World Squash Federation if you don't already have one
2. Register at worldsquashmasters.com
3. Select your age category and competition level (Open or Recreational)
4. Pay the entry fee

Key dates:

• Registration: Now open
• Deadline: 19 July 2026
• Event: 30 August - 6 September 2026

Register early. Late entries are not guaranteed a spot, and the tournament needs time to create draws across 20+ categories with 1,000+ players.

Tournament Format

The Masters follows standard WSF competition rules:

• Individual championship: No team event, every player competes for their age category title
• Draw format: Typically single elimination with consolation draws, ensuring every player gets multiple matches
• Scoring: Point-a-rally to 11 (PAR-11), best of 5 games
• Seeding: Based on world rankings, national rankings, and tournament director discretion
• Nation scoring: An overall point-score championship is calculated for both large and small nation groupings, adding a team dimension to the individual event

With 22 courts across two main venues plus the glass show court, the tournament can run 100+ matches per day. Scheduling at this scale is a massive logistical challenge, managing player rest times, court assignments, multi-category entries, and venue transitions.

Previous Editions

The growth from 650 entries in 2022 to 1,070+ in 2024 shows the Masters is gaining momentum. The biennial event has become a bucket-list experience for veteran squash players worldwide.

Why Perth?

This will be the sixth time Australia has hosted the World Masters (previous editions: men's 1979, women's 1982 and 1990, combined 1995 and 2001). Australia has a strong claim as one of squash's heartland countries:

• Deep domestic competition structure from junior through to veterans
• Multiple world-class facilities in Perth alone (22+ courts across two venues)
• Time zone accessible to Asia-Pacific players (the fastest-growing squash region)
• The City of Stirling is a key local partner, providing municipal support for the event

Perth's location also makes it an attractive option for players from Singapore, Malaysia, India, Hong Kong, Japan, and other Asia-Pacific squash communities who often face long travel times to European or American host cities.

The Logistics Challenge

Running a tournament with 1,000+ players across 20 age categories, 2 competition levels, and 3 venues is one of the most complex sporting logistics challenges in any racquet sport.

Consider the scale:

• 20+ draws running simultaneously across 22 courts
• 3,000+ matches over 8 days
• Player tracking across multiple venues (a player might play at Mirrabooka in the morning and Bellmont in the afternoon)
• Multi-category entries where players enter both singles and potentially doubles
• Scheduling conflicts when players in different age categories have overlapping match times
• Results and standings that need to update in real-time for players, coaches, and spectators

This is where tournament management technology becomes essential. Managing this manually, with spreadsheets and whiteboards, simply doesn't scale. Modern platforms handle draw creation, scheduling, live scoring, and results publication automatically, letting organisers focus on the event experience rather than the admin.

For Players: How to Prepare

Training The Masters rewards consistency over raw power. At the veteran level, fitness, court craft, and match temperament matter more than a devastating boast. Start match-play training 3-4 months before the event if you're not already competing regularly.

Travel Perth is well-connected internationally with direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Dubai, and major Australian cities. Book accommodation early, the event will fill nearby hotels.

Socialising The Masters is as much a social event as a competitive one. The week includes welcome functions, social events, and the camaraderie of playing against opponents from 70+ countries. Many players return every two years and have built friendships that span decades.

For Organisers: Lessons from the Masters

If you organise tournaments at club or regional level, the Masters offers lessons in scale:

1. Category structure matters: The Open/Recreational split ensures competitive balance. Consider offering graded divisions at your events too.
2. Multi-venue logistics: If you ever run an event across two venues, the scheduling complexity multiplies. Build in transit time between venues.
3. Technology is not optional at scale: You cannot manage 1,000+ players and 3,000+ matches on spreadsheets. Tournament management platforms handle draws, scheduling, scoring, and results at any scale.
4. The social element drives retention: Players come back for the community, not just the competition. Invest in the experience around the matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can enter the World Masters Squash Championships?

Any squash player aged 35 or over can enter. You need a SPIN (Squash Personal Identification Number) from World Squash and must register before the deadline (19 July 2026 for the Perth event). There are two competition levels: Open for competitive players and Recreational for social-level players.

How much does it cost to enter?

Entry fees are approximately $115. Check the official website for the confirmed 2026 pricing and any early-bird discounts.

How many matches will I play?

Most players get 4-6 matches over the week, depending on their draw size and how far they progress. Consolation draws ensure that first-round losers still get additional matches. Some players enter both singles and doubles categories for more court time.

When is the next World Masters after Perth 2026?

The World Masters is held every two years. The 2028 edition location has not yet been announced by the WSF.

Can I watch if I'm not competing?

Yes. Spectator access is available at all venues. The Karrinyup Shopping Centre glass court is free to watch for anyone visiting the centre, making it the most accessible viewing option.

Related Reading

• How to Run a Squash Tournament: A Complete Guide
• Squash at the 2028 Olympics: What You Need to Know
• How ELO Ratings Work in Squash
• How to Grow Your Squash Club

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