Squash’s debut at the European Games next year has been confirmed as an Olympic qualification event for LA 2028.
Squash missed out on European Games inclusion in 2023 but will now be a medal sport for the June 16-27 event in Istanbul.
The squash competition in Istanbul will take place over five days and will double up as the 2027 edition of the ESF European Individual Closed Championships (EICC).
France’s Victor Crouin has won the men’s EICC title for the last three years while Belgium’s Tinne Gilis has won three of the last four women’s EICC titles. Currently, Great Britain’s Joel Makin and Georgina Kennedy are the top-ranked European players in the PSA World Rankings.
The men’s and women’s squash gold medal winners in Istanbul will secure a guaranteed place in the draw at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (provided they are in the top 50 of the PSA world rankings on 22 May 2028).
William Louis-Marie, Chief Executive Officer at World Squash, commented: “It’s a great moment for squash as our sport prepares for its European Games debut.
“Squash has a proud history within multi-sport Games and we’re looking forward to supporting the European Squash Federation, the EOC Executive Committee and the Istanbul 2027 Organising Committee to ensure squash’s debut is a spectacular event for athletes and fans alike.”
EOC President Spyros Capralos said: “We are pleased to welcome squash into the European Games. It is a significant moment for the sport, which continues to grow in popularity across Europe. Following its debut at the European Games in 2027, squash will also be included in the Olympic Games in 2028.
“We’re happy to see squash continue its European Olympic journey with inclusion in Istanbul 2027 and look forward to watching all the action.”