The sporting test of endurance Squash makes its debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games with exhilarating action guaranteed.
Here’s what you need to know about Squash ahead of the sport’s introduction onto the Olympic stage.
What is the history of squash?
Squash was invented in England in the early 19th century and has been played on a world-championship level since the 1970s.
It derives from the old-school game of rackets which was played in London prisons before it was adapted to play with a punctured ball by pupils at Harrow School in 1830, which eventually led to popularity across the globe.
The first squash court in North America was built in Concord, New Hampshire in 1884.
In 1912, the RMS Titanic featured a squash court in first class on G-Deck, available for eight pence for an hour's play.
How do you play squash?
Squash is played in singles or doubles matches on an enclosed court surrounded by four walls. This court could be indoors or outdoors if covered.
Players hit a squash ball, which is a small plastic rubber ball around 40mm wide, against the front wall aiming to make the ball bounce twice on the court before your opponent can return.
The ball can bounce as many times against the side walls before a return.
If the ball lands above or on the out line, an area at the top of the front wall and side walls, or hits the top of the ‘tin’ at the bottom of the court - the point is awarded against the player who hit the ball.
A straight shot up the side walls to the corners of the back wall is called a ‘rail’ and is the standard squash shot.
The first serve is decided by a racket flip and each serve must hit the front wall above the service line, which is halfway up the wall, and below the out line to land in the opposite quarter at the back of the court.
If a player serves and wins the point, that player or the player’s team switches sides to serve again. The serve changes hands if the receiver wins the point.
Squash is scored to 11 points a game, with players or pairs usually chasing three games to win a match. If the game is tied at a 10-10 stalemate, play carries on until one side has a two-point lead.
Rallies often stretch long with Squash renowned as an endurance test for professionals and amateurs alike.
What are the rules of squash?
Interference and obstruction are the main reasons why a player may be penalised. Squash rules state that players should have a straight-line to the ball or room to swing at the ball. A referee oversees the match enforcing the rules.
Given both players are often fighting for the same central position on court, or using court position to direct the ball out of reach - referees are often called on to make decisions.
Referees have multiple ways of responding to a ‘let’ call by a player, which is when an interference is appealed for. The referee can either replay the point or award a ‘stroke’ to the player who appealed.
Professional competition also includes reviews, when players are able to refer decisions to a television referee. Players retain reviews if the referee decides in their favour.
How can I watch squash?
The PSA Squash Tour, an annual global league of regular tournaments, sees elite players travel the world in competition.
The tour stopped off in London twice for the marquee London Squash Classic and OptAsia Championships events in the 2025-26 season, with 11 more events in England across various classifications.
The Edinburgh Open also saw the PSA Squash Tour touch down in Scotland.
Squash at LA 2028 Olympics
Squash will make its Olympic Games debut at Los Angeles 2028, with men’s and women’s singles seeing draws of 16 players each.
The competition is planned to be held on the Universal Studios lot, famous for TV and movie production.
Having previously been rejected from the Olympic programme four times, LA will finally be the city to claim the sport which is widely played across the USA.
Sportsbeat 2026