Squash Finally Makes the Olympic Games: Why LA 2028 Could Change the Sport Forever

Squash has waited a long time for this moment.

After years of near misses, frustration and the familiar question of “how is squash not already an Olympic sport?”, the game will finally make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. For players, coaches, clubs, juniors and lifelong squash fans, this is more than a fixture on a sporting calendar. It is recognition for one of the fastest, most skilful and physically demanding racket sports in the world.

For a sport built on speed, precision, endurance and mental toughness, Olympic inclusion feels overdue. Squash has always had the athletic ingredients: explosive movement, tactical rallies, elite hand-eye coordination, world-class fitness and huge global participation. What it has not had until now is the Olympic platform.

That changes in LA.

Why Squash Was Not Previously in the Olympics

The simplest answer is that getting into the Olympic Games is incredibly difficult. The Olympic programme is crowded, political, commercial and highly competitive. Every sport wants the global exposure, funding boost and credibility that comes with Olympic status, but there are only so many places available.

Squash was not excluded because it lacked quality. It was not excluded because the athletes were not good enough. It was not excluded because the sport was not hard enough. In many ways, squash had the opposite problem: the people who played it knew how brilliant it was, but the challenge was making that brilliance obvious to everyone else.

For years, squash had to fight against a few key obstacles.

1. Squash Was Harder to Broadcast in the Past

Modern squash is much easier to watch than it used to be. Today, glass courts, improved lighting, better camera positions, slow-motion replay and clearer ball visibility have made the sport far more spectator-friendly.

Historically, however, squash was not always easy for casual viewers to follow on television. The ball moves incredibly quickly. The players are often close together. The court is enclosed. To someone new to the sport, rallies could look chaotic without the right camera work and commentary.

That mattered because the Olympics is not just about sporting excellence. It is also about presentation. Sports need to work for live crowds, broadcasters, sponsors and first-time viewers watching from home.

Squash has now solved much of that problem. Modern show courts look spectacular, especially when staged in iconic venues. The sport feels faster, cleaner and more dramatic on screen than ever before.

2. The Olympic Programme Is Extremely Competitive

Squash has been up against sports with huge global audiences, major commercial backing or strong host-nation appeal. The Olympics does not simply add every deserving sport. It weighs global reach, youth appeal, gender balance, venue requirements, commercial value, athlete numbers and how well the sport fits the host city’s vision.

That made previous bids difficult. Squash had passionate supporters, elite athletes and a genuine worldwide footprint, but it had to compete against sports that were sometimes easier to package, easier to understand instantly or more strategically attractive to a particular host city.

In past Olympic cycles, squash kept getting close without getting over the line.

3. Squash Had an Image Problem to Overcome

In some countries, squash has carried a reputation as a private club or business-person’s sport. That perception never told the full story. Across the world, squash is played in schools, leisure centres, universities, clubs and community facilities. It is also one of the most accessible racket sports once a court is available: two players, two rackets, one ball and a huge workout in under an hour.

Still, Olympic decision-makers have to think about how a sport is perceived globally. Squash needed to show that it was not just a niche indoor sport but a modern, international, inclusive game with elite athletes and a future-facing audience.

The sport has done that work.

Why Squash Is Now in the Olympics

Squash has not suddenly become Olympic-worthy. It has always had the athletic quality. What has changed is the way the sport can be presented, promoted and understood.

LA 2028 arrives at the right time for squash.

1. Squash Is Fast, Intense and Made for Short-Format Drama

Olympic audiences love sports that are easy to feel, even before they fully understand the tactics. Squash delivers that instantly.

The lunges are brutal. The rallies are fast. The recoveries are ridiculous. The tension builds point by point. A player can be completely in control one minute and under huge pressure the next. Momentum changes quickly, and the physical effort is obvious.

That makes squash a strong Olympic product. It gives viewers speed, jeopardy, athleticism and visible exhaustion. You do not need to be a lifelong player to appreciate how hard it is.

2. The Sport Has Become Much Easier to Watch

The modern glass court has changed squash’s Olympic argument. It allows the game to be staged almost anywhere: arenas, theatres, landmarks, temporary venues and high-profile locations. That makes it more flexible and more visually impressive than the old image of squash as a hidden sport tucked away in a leisure centre corridor.

Better production has also helped. Today’s professional squash coverage shows the game with more clarity. Viewers can see the angles, the movement patterns, the deception and the athleticism. The sport now looks like what it has always felt like to play: fierce, skilful and relentless.

3. Squash Offers True Gender Balance

Squash has strong men’s and women’s professional tours, both with outstanding athletes and compelling rivalries. That matters for the modern Olympic movement, where gender balance is a major priority.

The LA 2028 squash competition is expected to feature men’s singles and women’s singles. That gives the sport a clean, understandable Olympic format and allows both sides of the game to share the same stage.

4. Squash Has Global Strength

Squash is not owned by one country or one continent. Egypt has become a modern powerhouse, but the sport has deep roots and competitive strength across the UK, Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America and beyond.

That international spread helps. The Olympics needs sports that feel global, not regional. Squash can offer that. It has history, established tournaments, professional stars, national federations and a playing culture that reaches far beyond one market.

5. LA 2028 Wanted a Fresh, Modern Sports Programme

Host cities now have more influence in proposing additional sports that fit their Games. Los Angeles is a city built on entertainment, events, spectacle and sport. Squash suits that environment because it can be staged in a dramatic way, with a compact court, fast matches and a premium live atmosphere.

A glass court under lights, surrounded by a crowd, creates a completely different impression from the old-fashioned idea of squash as a hidden indoor club game. LA 2028 gives squash the chance to look bold, modern and Olympic.

What Olympic Inclusion Means for Squash Players

For everyday players, Olympic inclusion matters because it will bring attention to the sport at every level.

More children will see squash. More parents will understand it. More schools and clubs may consider it. More people who already play racket sports may decide to try it. That matters because squash often wins people over once they step on court. The biggest challenge is getting them there in the first place.

The Olympics can do that.

A sport can change quickly when it gets a global stage. Participation can rise. Coaching pathways can improve. National programmes can receive more support. Clubs can attract new members. Retail demand can grow as beginners look for their first racket and experienced players upgrade their equipment.

For squash, LA 2028 is not just a medal opportunity. It is a visibility opportunity.

Why This Is a Big Moment for Squash in the UK

The UK has a strong squash culture, with courts, clubs and leagues across the country. Many players grew up with squash as one of the classic indoor racket sports, but the game has had to compete with gym culture, tennis, badminton, padel and other fitness trends.

Olympic inclusion gives squash a fresh story.

It makes the sport feel current again. It gives juniors something to dream about. It gives clubs a reason to promote beginner sessions. It gives adult players a reason to return to the court. It also gives racket sport fans a new reason to take squash seriously if they have never played before.

For places like Cardiff and South Wales, that could be especially exciting. Squash is ideal for people who want a high-intensity workout, a competitive game and a technical challenge without needing outdoor conditions or large groups of players.

You can play squash after work, at lunch, on weekends, in winter, in bad weather and in short time windows. Few sports offer that much intensity in such a compact format.

Thinking of Playing Squash Before LA 2028?

If the Olympic announcement has made you want to get on court, the first step is choosing the right equipment.

A good squash racket can make the game more enjoyable from the start. Beginners often benefit from a forgiving racket with a larger sweet spot and manageable weight. Improving players may want something with more control, sharper handling or extra power. Advanced players usually look closely at balance, frame stiffness, string pattern and response.

The right racket depends on your playing style:

• Power players may prefer a head-heavy racket that helps generate heavier shots.
• Control players may prefer a more even balance with a precise feel.
• Fast volleyers may like a lighter, manoeuvrable frame.
• Beginners may want comfort, forgiveness and durability rather than the most advanced professional specification.

Squash balls also matter. New players usually need a ball that bounces more easily, while experienced players tend to use slower competition balls that require harder hitting and better movement.

Shoes are important too. Squash requires sharp changes of direction, lunges and quick recoveries, so non-marking indoor court shoes with proper grip are a much better choice than general trainers.

Padelspeed: Your Local Squash Shop for Cardiff and Online Across the UK

Padelspeed.com is proud to support the growth of racket sports, and squash now has an even bigger spotlight with its arrival at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

For players in Cardiff and the surrounding area, Padelspeed is a local squash shop where you can buy squash rackets, balls, grips, bags and other squash products. Whether you are taking up the sport for the first time, returning after a break or upgrading your current racket, Padelspeed can help you find the right equipment for your level and playing style.

Padelspeed is also online for the whole UK, making it easy for squash players across the country to order squash rackets and products wherever they play. From beginners looking for their first setup to regular club players who know exactly what they want, Padelspeed.com offers a convenient way to shop for squash gear with a specialist racket-sports focus.

As Olympic interest grows, more players are likely to discover squash. Having the right equipment from the start can make a huge difference to confidence, comfort and enjoyment on court.

Why Squash Deserves Its Olympic Moment

Squash is one of the purest tests in racket sport. It asks for speed, stamina, touch, accuracy, patience and bravery. It rewards clever angles as much as raw power. It punishes lazy movement. It exposes poor decisions. It demands fitness, but it also demands thought.

That is why squash players have always believed the sport belonged in the Olympics.

Now, finally, the rest of the world gets to see it.

LA 2028 will not just introduce squash to a bigger audience. It could inspire a new generation of players, encourage more people back onto court and give clubs a powerful reason to promote the game again.

For squash, this is not just inclusion.

It is arrival.

FAQs

Is squash going to be in the 2028 Olympics?

Yes. Squash will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with men’s singles and women’s singles events expected to showcase the sport on the biggest stage.

Why was squash not in the Olympics before?

Squash had previously missed out because Olympic inclusion is highly competitive. The sport also had to overcome challenges around broadcast visibility, presentation, global perception and competition from other sports bidding for limited Olympic places.

Why has squash been added to LA 2028?

Squash now offers a stronger Olympic case thanks to improved glass-court presentation, better broadcast coverage, global participation, gender balance, elite athleticism and a fast-paced format that suits modern sports audiences.

Will Olympic inclusion make squash more popular?

It is very likely to increase interest. Olympic exposure can help attract beginners, juniors, returning players, clubs, sponsors and national sporting bodies. Squash has always been exciting to play; LA 2028 gives more people a reason to watch and try it.

Where can I buy squash rackets in Cardiff?

Padelspeed.com is the local squash shop for Cardiff and also sells squash rackets and products online across the UK.