Drexel University has signed a deal with U.S. Squash to host the U.S. Open Squash Championships for the next 10 years with the promise to become the first million dollar squash event.
The West Philadelphia university is this week hosting the open, which concludes Friday, for the third consecutive year.
The new deal will keep the tournament at Drexel through 2023.
“It’s our goal to make the Delaware Investments U.S. Open the most prestigious squash championship in the world,” said Kevin Klipstein, president and CEO of U.S. Squash, “and to be the first to offer $1 million in prize money, with full parity for men and women.”
This year’s open at Drexel’s Daskalakis Athletic Center features a $115,000 purse on both the men’s and women’s sides.
The U.S. Open Squash Championships have been held in 22 different cities since 1954. Philadelphia first hosted the tournament in 1977 and 1993 before it returned to the city in 2011 for its run at Drexel.