INDUSTRY NEWS · VELNUZ PERSPECTIVE
Seattle and Bellevue qualifier plans put squash venue readiness in focus
A 2028 qualifier announcement offers a long-term planning signal, rather than a shortcut to specifying an event-ready squash court.
The industry update
US Squash reports that Seattle and Bellevue are set to host squash’s final qualifier ahead of LA28 in June 2028. The announcement comes as squash prepares for its Olympic debut.
Work backwards from opening, not just delivery
For a new squash venue, a future event date can make procurement feel distant. Yet the court order is only one part of the schedule. Site design, local approvals, supporting works, installation and operational handover need their own milestones. Buyers should build those dependencies into the programme before committing to an opening date.
A glass squash court brief should state whether the venue is for regular club use, training or a specific competition. Event organisers determine their requirements; the presence of an Olympic pathway does not make a product Olympic-approved. Likewise, wider publicity should not be treated as a guarantee of bookings at a new facility.
Before you specify a court
Ask your project team for a responsibility matrix covering the supplied court, local works and final checks. Provide the intended location and site drawings when requesting supply information. If the project has a competition goal, obtain the organiser’s current requirements separately and check them against the complete venue plan.