Starting in 2017, a friend of the game has officially started the U.S. Open Squash Championships with the first ball hit on court. The 2025 U.S. Open were launched when Chris Leonard took the ceremonial first swing.

Leonard has managed the AV technologies at the Open every year since the event arrived on the campus of Drexel University in October 2011. Leonard is the Vice President of Operations at IMS Technology Services and based in Philadelphia. From his aerie on the third floor of the Arlen Specter US Squash Center, Leonard directs customized solutions to when players are not on court, harnessing the energy of squash’s fast-paced live action and conveying the branding and communication strategies of US Squash.

“I love curating the spectator experience,” said Leonard, who first learned how to run audio event production with his father. “I try to give fans a rich, engaging atmosphere, using lighting, sounds and video to make the Open so exciting that the tech disappears and the experience shines.”

In addition, Leonard helped lead IMS’ effort to install all audio/visual equipment when the Specter Center was under construction. Because of their exceptional work, IMS was honored in 2021 with the Best Large Venue Project by Commercial Integrator.

The 2025 Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships have arrived as the world’s best squash players take aim at the PSA Platinum titles, October 19-25, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

The U.S. Open draws have taken shape following notable withdrawals in recent weeks including defending women’s champion Nouran Gohar, 2022 men’s champion Diego Elias and men’s five seed Marwan ElShorbagy.

Eight-time world champion and 2023 women’s champion Nour El Sherbini leads the draw and is opposed by Egyptian rival and world No. 2 Hania El Hammamy in the bottom of the draw. Team USA’s Olivia Weaver, the three seed, enters her home town tournament on a wave of momentum following her second consecutive Silicon Valley Open title this week in California. Six-time U.S. Champion Amanda Sobhy slots into the eight seed and could face her younger sister, Sabrina, should both Americans progress to the second round.

The men’s draw is bookended by world No. 1 Mostafa Asal and World No. 3 Paul Coll who are both in search of their second U.S. Open title this week. Welsh world No. 4 Joel Makin will hope to disrupt the top seeds, as will Egyptian veteran and world No. 5 Karim Abdel Gawad, who joined Olivia Weaver on the Silicon Valley Open podium this week.

Before matches begin Sunday, October 19, squash enthusiasts and beginners alike are invited to attend the annual U.S. Open House for clinics and mini games. All opening day General Admission tickets are free and open to the public with match play beginning at 12pm, noon, on four courts.

The first round will feature eight Americans. U.S. Junior Champion and Penn freshman Alexander Dartnell will make his U.S. Open debut against U.S. National Champion Timmy Brownell at 1:30pm on the east glass court. Salim Khan will make his second wild card appearance against Colombia’s Juan Vargas at 12pm noon on court sixteen.

In the women’s draw, Marina Stefanoni will make her sixth U.S. Open appearance with a career high ranking of world No. 24. The twenty-two-year-old will face Scotland’s world No. 23 on the east glass court at 6:15pm. Lucie Stefanoni will make her fifth wild card appearance at the same time adjacent to her sister on court 16 against England’s world No. 17 Jasmine Hutton.

Sabrina Sobhy returns for her eleventh career U.S. Open appearance as she continues to return to form this season following a return from injury. The former world No. 13 will take on Hong Kong’s world No. 37 Ka Yi Lee at 4:45pm. Amanda Sobhy could face Sabrina in the second round, but will face a difficult opening match against France’s world No. 18 Melissa Alves at 2:15pm on the east glass court.

Weaver opens her campaign against Egypt’s world No. 16 Farida Mohamed on the west glass court at 1:30pm.

For tickets and more information visit usopensquash.com.

Award-winning author, leading squash journalist and US Squash Senior Correspondent James “Jim” Zug will offer book signings at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center on Monday, October 20 during the SquashSmarts night of the 2025 Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships.

Upon its release, “Squash: A History of the Game” (2003) was the first-ever history of squash in America on hardback, featuring a foreward from the late George Plimpton. “Squash: A History of the Game” is America’s all-time bestselling squash book, providing an in-depth look at the duology of singles and highlighting stories of important players from the last century.

Now, Scribner, part of the Simon & Schuster publication house, releases an updated, revised paperback version available starting November 11 highlighting changes in the game over the last 20 years, including its journey to Olympic inclusion. Copies will be available on-site on October 20 or can be purchased online here.

About the book:

Updated and with a new afterword from the author, this definitive history of squash by journalist James Zug is a must-read for squash lovers and sports history buffs alike,capturing the evolution of one of America’s greatest games.

Step into the fast-paced world of squash with this ultimate deep dive into one of America’s fastest-growing sports. This newly updated edition of Squash packs in fresh stories and insights, charting the racquet sport’s evolution.

From its scrappy beginnings in the 1850s, when English schoolboys invented the game in alleys and yards, to its arrival on US soil in 1884, squash has grown into a global phenomenon. Award-winning journalist James Zug takes readers on a fascinating journey, exploring defining moments like the pivotal shift in the 1990s from the one court size to another, a change that propelled the US to international squash dominance. The game has over 1.6 million players in this country, a growing presence in schools and colleges, and is on the brink of its next big milestone—making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Packed with vibrant profiles of squash legends, Zug’s narrative goes beyond the court. He uncovers the game’s rich cultural roots, tracing its elite origins and its expansion into public and commercial clubs. Along the way, he captures the passion, drama, and camaraderie that make squash so much more than just a sport.

In the tradition of iconic sports histories like David Halberstam’s The Amateurs, Squash isn’t just for players—it’s for anyone who loves a great story. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or curious newcomer to the game, this is your definitive guide to the lasting legacy of squash.

SQUASHTV to Deploy Record 18 Cameras, Including First-Ever
Overhead Cable Cam, for Immersive Coverage

The 2025 Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships will feature the most advanced TV broadcast in the sport’s history, with a suite of new production elements elevating the viewing experience for fans around the world and advancing the presentation of the sport in preparation for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

The action from the 52nd edition of the prestigious tournament will be captured by SQUASHTV at Philadelphia’s Arlen Specter US Squash Center (October 19-25), with 18 cameras – the most used in a squash broadcast since SQUASHTV’s inception in 2010 – bringing fans closer to the action than ever before as stars including USA’s No.1 Olivia Weaver and men’s World Champion Mostafa Asal compete for the crown.

For the first time in squash history, a cable camera will be installed over the showpiece glass court to provide unparalleled views of the competition, crowd, and venue, while four manned super slow-motion and gimbal cameras will provide cinematic coverage of the biggest moments from the tournament.

“We’re excited to deliver the most ambitious broadcast in the history of the sport at the U.S. Open,” said PSA Chief Operating Officer Lee Beachill. “By expanding our camera coverage, production crew, and technical integrations, we’re providing fans with the most immersive SQUASHTV broadcast ever seen in the sport. This scale of production reflects our ambition for where we want the sport to be as we look towards squash’s debut at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28), and we are grateful to Comcast Business for powering this enhanced broadcast coverage through their cutting-edge connectivity and enterprise-grade technology solutions.”

In addition, two replay cameras will be dedicated to covering the out-of-court lines for instant officiating reviews, meaning an increase of seven cameras in comparison to a regular SQUASHTV broadcast. The broadcast presentation will be enhanced with in-depth stats and analysis to tell greater stories around the matches in real-time, including the number of winning shots, errors, rally duration, shot count, and areas of strengths and weaknesses of the competing players.

“Leveraging Comcast Business’ advanced technology with SQUASHTV’s latest innovations at this year’s U.S. Open is the ideal showcase for squash’s rapid growth and expansion,” said US Squash President & CEO Kevin Klipstein. “The Comcast Business U.S. Open being streamed by NBC’s Peacock featuring SQUASHTV’s fullest production team ever is powering tremendous collaboration and excitement across squash organizations globally. We can’t wait to see where this leads the sport by the time squash has its Olympic debut at the Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios in 2028.”

The global broadcast feed will be distributed to broadcasters across 89 countries, enabled by Comcast Business’s integrated technology infrastructure at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center, ensuring seamless, high-quality delivery to audiences worldwide.

“At Comcast Business, we’re proud to power the technology behind the most ambitious squash broadcast in history. Our advanced network solutions are enabling SQUASHTV to deliver an immersive, world-class viewing experience to fans across the globe,” said Eileen Diskin, CMO, Comcast Business. “Supporting the U.S. Open Squash Championships and the growth of professional squash reflects our commitment to innovation, community, and the future of sport.”

Lead presenter Michael Absalom and lead commentator Joey Barrington will be spearheading the team calling the action during one of the sport’s majors. They will be supported by a cast featuring former World Champion Vanessa Atkinson, Aisling Blake, Lisa Aitken, Nicole Bunyan and American stars Gilly Lane and Chris Gordon.

NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, will stream the semi-finals and finals live for the first time in the US between October 24-25.

The 2025 Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships is just two weeks away! The world’s top squash professionals descend on the Arlen Specter US Squash Center to compete for record prize money, October 19-25.

Semifinals and Final back walls seats are sold out, but remain for all other rounds while GA tickets remain available for all rounds. Tickets are available on usopensquash.com/tickets. Contact tickets@usopensquash.com to host a group at the U.S. Open.

Opening day will feature the U.S. Open House from 10am Sunday, October 19, where squash fans of all ages and skill levels can jump on court before the pros for mini games and clinics. All General Admission is free to celebrate the U.S. Open House.

If you are not able to attend the U.S. Open in person, Peacock is the perfect place to enjoy the unprecedented U.S. Open broadcast. The tournament’s broadcast will expand its production coverage, with more camera angles and new technology elevating the overall presentation.

The 2025 Comcast Business U.S. Open Semifinals and Finals are one month away! For the first time ever, the semifinals and finals (Oct. 24-25) of this year’s tournament will be streamed live on Peacock in the United States. The tournament’s broadcast will expand its production coverage, with more camera angles and new technology elevating the overall presentation.

This is our chance to show TV networks that people want to see squash ahead of the LA28 Olympic Games!

If you are not able to attend the U.S. Open in person, Peacock is the perfect place to enjoy the unprecedented U.S. Open broadcast.

How to Tune In:

Do you have Peacock? The U.S. Open will be available in the Peacock Sports menu here on Friday, October 24, and Saturday, October 25 from 6pm ET.

Do you not have Peacock? Subscribe to Peacock here and then tune in October 24-25.

Do you have both SquashTV and Peacock? Watch SquashTV from October 19-23, then switch over to Peacock, October 24-25.

The U.S. Skill Level Championships will be held alongside finals weekend of the 2025 Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships, October 25-26, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

The Skill Level Championships offer draws ranging from 2.5 up to 6.5. All draws will be capped at sixteen players and entries will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis.

All players participating in the U.S. Skill Level Championships will be eligible for a 50% discount on general admission tickets for matches on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25–semifinal and final matches of the U.S. Open.

Secure your spot today and register on the U.S. Skill Level Championships tournament page.

World No. 1’s Mostafa Asal and Nouran Gohar will lead the 2025 Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships draws with the world’s best players in pursuit–including Team USA’s top four women–October 19-25, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

View the complete draws and match schedule on usopensquash.com/draws. Tickets and group packages are available on usopensquash.com/tickets.

The 52nd edition of this historic event will be the first major Platinum-level championship of the season in the United States on the PSA Squash Tour.

Sixty-four of the world’s leading male and female squash players will go head-to-head for one of the most coveted trophies on the tour, with a tournament record total of $453,000 in player compensation up for grabs. For the first time ever, the semifinals and finals (Oct. 24-25) of this year’s tournament will be streamed live on Peacock in the United States. In addition, SQUASHTV will expand its broadcast production coverage, with more camera angles and new technology elevating the overall presentation.

Gohar has the opportunity to become the first five-time champion in U.S. Open history as the tournament’s top seed should she successfully defend her title. ‘The Terminator’ was a dominant force on the PSA Squash Tour last season, capturing five major titles and defeating compatriot and eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini in last year’s U.S. Open title decider.

Team USA’s Olivia Weaver opposes Gohar in the top half of the draw as the four seed. The world No. 4 is the only American to have reached three U.S. Open semifinals in the Platinum era and will be targeting a fourth appearance against the world No. 1.

World No. 2 Nour El Sherbini and Team USA’s Amanda Sobhy are set for a blockbuster first-round match on U.S. Open Family Day, Sunday, October 19. Family Day features free GA tickets and Sobhy will hope to harness the home crowd support against the 2024 champion.

After ascending the world rankings to a career high of No. 25 in her first season as a full-time professional, Marina Stefanoni will aim for her first U.S. Open win since 2023 against Scotland’s world No. 22 Georgia Adderley.

Sabrina Sobhy is set for her first U.S. Open appearance in two years after missing out on the 2024 U.S. Open–and majority of the 2024-2025 PSA season–due to injury. Sobhy, a wildcard, will hope to give her ranking an early season boost with a first round win against Hong Kong’s world No. 33 Ka Yi Lee. Harvard sophomore Lucie Stefanoni is set for her third career U.S. Open wildcard appearance and will hope for her first win against England’s Jasmine Hutton.

In men’s draw, World No.1 Mostafa Asal tops the draw as he targets a second U.S. Open title of his career. In 2021, Asal became the event’s youngest-ever male champion in what was his first Platinum title on the PSA Squash Tour. This time around, Asal is seeded to face three-time winner Mohamed ElShorbagy in the quarterfinals, and potentially renewing his rivalry with No. 4 seed Joel Makin in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, World No. 2 Diego Elias and World No. 4 Paul Coll have been named in the bottom half of the draw as they both go in search of their second U.S. Open titles. 2024 World Champion Elias could face world No. 5 seed Marwan ElShorbagy or World No. 9 Aly Abou Eleinen in a difficult quarterfinal draw.

An American is guaranteed in the men’s round of sixteen with world No. 36 Timmy Brownell set to take on wild card and U.S. junior champion Alexander Dartnell. The winner of which will likely face Asal.

Salim Khan will make his second straight appearance as a U.S. Open wild card against Colombia’s Juan Vargas.