Squash – rules. How to play to win?
2025-06-26
How to open your own squash court? An investor’s guide
Recently, squash has been steadily growing in popularity: the number of players, organized leagues, and events is increasing, and a well-designed court quickly fills up its schedule. Such an investment is a technical and organizational undertaking, but also a great way to combine sport with community-based business. In our article, you will find a coherent plan – from understanding the market and analyzing the competition, through design, construction, formalities, and obtaining permits, to opening, marketing, maintaining, and developing the club in the future. You can rely on the support of SQUASHTECH, a manufacturer and contractor of courts that comply with WSF standards, at every stage. Take advantage of the help of SQUASHTECH specialists!
Market and club model – start with data, not intuition
The decision to start a business is best made based on numbers. First, check the demand and structure of potential customers; only then adjust the scale of investment and layout of the courts. In large cities, competition can be fierce, but it drives demand; in smaller cities, fixed costs are lower, and a well-tailored offer builds a loyal customer base faster.
During the research stage, pay attention to:
- real demand in a weekly cycle (mornings, after work, weekends),
- competitor analysis (prices, free hours, quality of facilities, gaps in services),
- user profile (beginners, league players, juniors, companies),
- local cooperation opportunities (schools, universities, business parks).
A well-prepared strategy already helps to attract customers here—you adjust the price list, schedule, and additional services to leisure habits.
Location and layout – the first impression is formed in the first few minutes of your stay
Location is very important. Easy access, parking spaces, visibility, and pedestrian access shorten the path from decision to play. The interior also contributes to the result – the route from the entrance through the reception, changing rooms, club area to the court entrance should be intuitive, without queues and bottlenecks. It is important that every guest wants to come back before they even play their first game.
Consider:
- a reception area with a view of the courts and a shop (accessories, drinks),
- changing rooms with an adequate number of showers and lockers,
- a spectator area (league “club life”), scoreboards and game schedules,
- convenient service access (storage, cleaning, technical).
A well-designed layout from the doorstep increases customer satisfaction before the first ball is even hit.
Design and material selection – the quality of the game is decided by millimeters
The parameters of the court are dictated by compliance with WSF standards, i.e., dimensions, lighting, ball bounce, floor friction, acoustics, and safety of components. Careful planning and the right choice of materials are key here – they affect durability, bounce consistency, and playing comfort.
What to consider when choosing materials – squash court:
- Walls – impact-resistant court panels, uniform ball rebound, appropriate joints and TIN (sheet metal) installation and sheet metal tape.
- Sports flooring for squash with the right friction and elasticity, moisture control of the underlay – slipping and “dead zones” mean costs and risks.
- Glass for squash courts – safe, tempered, certified; precise fittings, stable mounting and adjustment.
- Lighting – even, without shadows or glare – so that the ball can be seen at every stage of the rally.
- Acoustics – reverberation control for better perception of the ball’s flight path and sound, sound-absorbing ceilings.
- HVAC – stable temperature and humidity – no condensation on the glass or floor.
SQUASHTECH designs, manufactures, and installs the above systems in a single chain, ensuring technical consistency throughout the entire process.
Formalities and permits: the law likes order and complete documentation
The path from concept to construction is an administrative one. You need to design the facility, complete the agreements, and submit an application for permits. Obtaining a permit is a stage where time savings can be calculated in terms of costs—complete documentation and coordination between industries speed up the decisions of the authorities.
The documentation usually includes:
- architectural and construction design (structure, installations, lighting, acoustics, HVAC),
- maps for design purposes, opinions and agreements,
- health and safety/fire safety instructions and evacuation solutions,
- guidelines for the installation of sports equipment in accordance with WSF.
SQUASHTECH carries out formal preparations and detailed design so that construction can start without the risk of setbacks and corrections.
Budget and financing of the investment – calculate the costs before you hire a team
The order matters: first the budget, then the orders. The costs include sports systems (walls, floors, glass), auxiliary equipment, installation work, designs and administrative fees, as well as club finishing (reception, changing rooms, zones). In addition, there are reserves for acceptance and minor corrections.
Investment financing can combine own funds, credit or leasing, partnership with an operator, local government subsidies, and EU funds. As the scale increases, phasing should be taken into account (e.g., two courts + technical reserve for subsequent ones). This is quite a challenge, but it limits risk and accelerates monetization.
The table below shows the main categories of expenses that are worth considering at the planning stage.
| Investment element | Cost range / comments |
|---|---|
| Sports systems (walls, floor, glass) | Basic cost – depends on the number of courts and the standard of workmanship |
| Installations and HVAC | Lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, acoustics |
| Club finishing | Reception, changing rooms, showers, club area |
| Documentation and permits | Designs, agreements, administrative fees |
| Service and maintenance | Floor sanding, panel replacement, glass adjustment, ongoing repairs |
| Financial reserves | Minor adjustments, additional work, modernizations |
Schedule and assembly – from design to play without unnecessary downtime
Once the financial and formal decisions have been made, it is time to start work on the facility. First, the installations and foundations, then the construction of sports systems, calibrations, tests, and opening.
Practical process:
- Preparation of the structure and installations for the target loads and tolerances.
- Installation of walls, floors, glass, TIN, and auto tapes – with measurements and protocols.
- Calibration of lighting and acoustics, HVAC testing.
- Technical acceptance, team training, operational start-up.
The result? The customer enters, feels the atmosphere of the club and… plays their first game.
The table below presents the main phases of the process, from the idea to the full opening of the club.
Investment stage | What it includes |
|---|---|
Market analysis | Demand, customer profile, competition analysis, demand in a given city |
Design | Club layout, choice of materials, technical concept |
Formalities | Architectural design, maps, agreements, obtaining permits |
Construction and assembly | Installations, walls, floors, glass, lighting, calibrations |
Acceptance and commissioning | Technical tests, team training, operational start-up |
Marketing and opening | Announcements, open day, promotion, first matches |
Maintenance and service | Ongoing repairs, inspections, upgrades |
Offers and additional services – the court thrives on play and community
The court itself is just the beginning. The life of the facility is determined by offers and services that cater to various needs: learning the basics, competition, integration.
Modules that really build attendance:
- reservation graphics with a distinction between times of day,
- individual training and classes for beginners,
- junior schools and day camps,
- amateur leagues, company and charity tournaments,
- club card and family packages.
This is how a community of players is created – and it is this community that generates stable revenue and regular customers.
Marketing and first impressions – attract customers and keep them coming back
Effective marketing starts before installation – announcements on social media, newsletter sign-ups, cooperation with companies and schools. After launch, the details of the first few minutes of a visit are what count: a clearly marked reception area, clear rules, simple payments, friendly communication on the court and in the club.
What works in practice:
- “Open day” and “first time on the court” cycles,
- recommendation program (referrals from friends),
- league and tournament reports, published results and rankings,
- consistent identification and communication across club channels.
When impressions are positive, customer satisfaction translates into recommendations and organic growth in occupancy.
Maintenance and service – consistent game quality is a daily task
The courts are used intensively, and the parameters must remain stable. Maintenance includes regular inspections and quick repairs before minor issues escalate into downtime.
The standard SQUASHTECH service package includes, among other things:
- replacement of silicones,
adjustment of TIN and auto tapes,
adjustment of locks, handles, and windows,
additional work as needed by the facility.
In the longer term, modernization comes into play – replacement of wall panels, sanding or replacement of flooring, new glass and fittings. These are investments that maintain safety and a high level of play.
Development and future – scaling and new disciplines
When attendance grows, it is time to expand – additional courts, a training area, cooperation with the city on events, and even new racket sports (padel, cube ball). It is worth considering development scenarios already in the base design – technical reserves shorten the time of subsequent stages.
How SQUASHTECH manages investments from A to Z
SQUASHTECH combines design, production, construction, acceptance, and service in a single chain. This simplifies coordination and reduces the risk at the interface between industries. We offer:
- market consulting and functional layout concepts,
- documentation for permits and detailed designs,
- our own certified wall, floor, glass, TIN, and auto tape systems,
- installation, calibration, and operational training,
- ongoing service and upgrades.
The result: technical consistency, predictable implementation pace, and a club ready for high occupancy.
FAQ
How much does it cost to build a squash court?
The cost of building a full-size squash court is an investment that requires careful budget planning. The price depends on many factors: the number of courts, the standard of finish, the materials used, additional services (e.g., changing rooms, reception, booking system), as well as the formal costs associated with obtaining a permit. The price range starts at PLN 150,000, and can reach up to several million for the construction of an entire club. The final cost is always determined after the design has been prepared and the local conditions have been analyzed. Ask us for a quote!
How long does it take to build a squash court?
The construction of a single court in a ready-made hall is a process that takes several weeks. In the case of a larger investment, e.g., building a club from scratch, the entire process, including design, formalities, and obtaining permits, can take from several months to a year.
Ready to invest in squash courts? SQUASHTECH – an experienced partner
If you are planning to invest in one or more courts, want to rebuild a hall or start a club in a new location, contact the specialists at SQUASHTECH. We will carry out the entire process – from analysis and design, through investment financing (including assistance in obtaining subsidies and EU funds), to installation, acceptance and opening. Write a few words about the location, scale, and deadline – we will prepare a variant budget, schedule, and layout proposal that will work from the first day the ball bounces on the court.
