Squash at the 2028 Olympics: Format, Events and Qualification

Thirty-two players, two events and one glass court at Universal Studios. That’s the full picture of squash at the 2028 Olympics. After years of knocking on the door, the sport finally gets its first Games in Los Angeles. So the big question now is simple: who gets in, and how?

Because the rules shape every player’s calendar, this guide breaks down the format and dates. It also explains the qualification system announced in February 2026. Along the way, it also looks at early names to watch and India’s chances. Since plans can still change, everything below reflects reports available as of October 2026. Still, the core structure is now fixed.

How Squash Reached the Olympics

Squash campaigned for a place in the Games for decades. Several bids fell short along the way, which left fans and players frustrated. Then, in October 2023, the International Olympic Committee confirmed squash for Los Angeles at its Session in Mumbai. As a result, a very long wait finally ended.

The decision mattered in India for another reason. Because the Session was held in Mumbai, the news landed close to home. At the time, Saurav Ghosal was weighing his future in the sport. He later retired from the professional tour in April 2024, although he said he hoped to keep playing for India. Meanwhile, our profile of the top Indian squash players tells his full story.

Squash at the 2028 Olympics: Format and Events

The competition has just two events: men’s singles and women’s singles. Since each draw holds 16 athletes, 32 players will compete in total. Even so, there’s no doubles or team event on the list. That means every medal will be won one match at a time.

Matches will be played at the Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios. The Games run from July 15 to 24, 2028. Even so, reports say squash will use a single glass court over ten days. Because matches are planned for the evenings, the sport should look great on television. As a result, casual viewers will get a clear view of every rally.

What the Small Draw Means

A 16-player draw is tight. In fact, fans will see only four rounds from start to finish. Even so, one bad night can end a medal dream, since there’s no second chance. Meanwhile, beginners can read our explainer on what is squash to follow the rules behind those matches.

The Five Qualification Routes

World Squash and the Professional Squash Association designed the system together. Once the plan was ready, the International Olympic Committee approved it on February 1, 2026, in Milan. Its goal is to balance the best rankings with wide national representation. In short, the top players should get in, but so should new faces. Each gender fills its 16 places in the same way:

• Continental Games: five places, including the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya.
• Host nation: one place for the United States.
• PSA world rankings: eight places, based on rankings at May 22, 2028.
• Universality place: one place for an eligible, underrepresented nation.
• Final qualifying tournament: one place, decided in a 24-player event.

Add those up, and you get 16 per gender. Because the rankings route is the biggest, steady results on the PSA Tour will matter most. Still, the continental route gives players a shorter path if they peak at the right event.

The Rankings Route and the Final Event

The rankings cut-off is May 22, 2028. So eight players per gender will earn a place from the PSA list on that day. According to reports, World Squash will then publish the list of qualified players. As a result, a single injury in spring 2028 could change a career. Meanwhile, players outside the top group must chase points all through 2027. Since rankings move with every tournament result, even a mid-level event can matter. For that reason, many players will plan their calendars around the cut-off months in advance.

The final qualifying tournament runs from June 6 to 10, 2028. Although it features 24 athletes per gender, it awards just one place each. That’s roughly six weeks before the Games begin. Because the odds are so slim, most players will want to qualify earlier through rankings.

Nations also face a cap on entries. The system allows a minimum of two and a maximum of three nations to field two athletes per gender. Everyone else is limited to one. Because of this, depth in a single country won’t guarantee extra places.

Players to Watch (Expected, as of October 2026)

Nobody has officially qualified through the rankings yet, so the final list isn’t confirmed. In other words, every name below carries a caveat. Still, the first continental results have already created some early storylines. At the Asian Games in Nagoya, Malaysia’s Ng Eain Yow won the men’s singles. Sivasangari Subramaniam, meanwhile, took the women’s title. Malaysian reports say both earned early berths for Los Angeles, and the names below are based on recent results:

• Abhay Singh (India): silver medallist in Nagoya, and world No. 24 in August 2026.
• Anahat Singh (India): silver medallist in Nagoya, with a career-high ranking of 17 in September 2026.
• Ng Eain Yow (Malaysia): reported Asian berth, and world No. 18 in August 2026.
• Sivasangari Subramaniam (Malaysia): reported Asian berth after a second straight Asian Games title.

Treat the Malaysian berths as reported rather than final, since World Squash publishes the official list closer to the Games. Likewise, the Indian names are contenders, not confirmed qualifiers. Still, all four will be hard to ignore in 2027.

India’s Road to Los Angeles

India’s squash team had a strong Asian Games. Both Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh reached singles finals, but both lost to Malaysian opponents. Abhay went down 11–9, 11–5, 11–5 to Ng Eain Yow, while Anahat lost 11–4, 11–4, 11–7 to Sivasangari. Even so, Anahat became the first Indian woman to reach an Asian Games singles final. Malaysia’s champions took the Asian berths reported so far. So India’s main path now runs through the PSA rankings or the final qualifying event. That’s a tougher road, yet it’s far from closed.

Abhay has said his goals are an Asian Games gold and an Olympic place. Anahat, only 18, still has plenty of time to climb. Veterans like Joshna Chinappa also remain part of the national story. Readers who want more detail on these athletes can start with our guide to the top Indian squash players.

What the Games Mean for the Sport

An Olympic spot changes how a sport is funded and seen. Once the Games arrive, national bodies often gain support, and young players get a visible dream. For squash, that could mean more courts, more coaches and more television slots. In fact, the glass court will be a perfect shop window.

New fans will also compare squash with other racket sports. For that, our breakdown of squash vs badminton vs tennis is a handy companion read. Meanwhile, players will keep chasing ranking points through 2027 and early 2028.

Because the draw is so small, one cold night in Los Angeles could undo years of work. Still, that’s exactly what makes Olympic sport so gripping. Fans who’ve followed squash for years will see a familiar sport on a brand-new stage. Newcomers, meanwhile, will get a very clear first look. After all, the qualification story is far from finished. Even so, the broad shape is clear: a compact draw, a glass court and a very tough route in.

Key Takeaways

• Events: Men’s singles and women’s singles, with 16 athletes in each draw.
• Dates and venue: July 15 to 24, 2028, at the Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios.
• Routes in: Five continental places, one host place, eight ranking places, one universality place and one final-tournament place per gender.
• Key dates: Rankings lock on May 22, 2028, and the final qualifier runs June 6 to 10.
• India: Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh are contenders after Asian Games silver medals.

FAQs

How many players will compete in squash at the 2028 Olympics?

Thirty-two players will compete, with 16 in the men’s draw and 16 in the women’s draw.

Which events are included?

The programme lists men’s singles and women’s singles, with no doubles or team event.

When and where will the squash events take place?

Matches run from July 15 to 24, 2028, at the Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios.

How do players qualify?

Players qualify through Continental Games, the host place, PSA world rankings, a universality place or a final qualifying tournament.

Has India qualified yet?

No Indian player has been reported as qualified as of October 2026, but several have chances through the rankings or final qualifier.

Conclusion

Squash at the 2028 Olympics will be small, sharp and high-stakes, with just 16 players per draw. Because the qualification system rewards steady ranking points, consistency will matter more than one big week. As of October 2026, Malaysia’s Asian Games champions lead the early storylines. India’s contenders, meanwhile, must win through rankings or the final tournament. Whoever gets in, the sport’s Olympic debut looks worth the wait.