El Gouna, Egypt – 4th April 2026: El Gouna Red Sea, the vibrant town by Orascom Development in Egypt and one of the Middle East’s most premium Red Sea destinations, is launching the 14th edition of El Gouna International Squash Open 2026 from 4th to 10th April, featuring 64 players from 24 countries, competing for a total prize pool of up to USD 410,000. The event underscores the town’s growing status as a premier global sports destination.
El Gouna International Squash Open Tournament is one of the most prestigious Professional Squash Association World Series Platinum events, attracting top-ranked professional players, offering the largest prize purses, and staging some of the most competitive matches at world-class venues.
Hosting this tournament reinforces El Gouna’s position as a pioneer in sports, establishing it as a premier regional and international destination for high-end sporting and tourism events. With a proven track record of major championships such as previous editions of the Squash Open Tournament, El Gouna Beach Polo and International Game Fish Association (IGFA), El Gouna has always been a sports hub, hosting events like the El Gouna International Squash Open, international golf tournaments, triathlons, marathons, and endurance races. On top of that, El Gouna is known as one of the world’s top kitesurfing and watersports destinations, with a vibrant international kitesurfing community, professional training centers, sailing clubs, and an Olympic-standard cable park, really a full high-performance sports environment, which makes the town leverages its stunning Red Sea coastline and world-class infrastructure to deliver unforgettable experiences.
ievents, the organizer of the El Gouna International Squash Open, continues to manage the current edition of the tournament, reinforcing its leadership in shaping Egypt’s squash scene over the years. ievents is one of Egypt’s leading event management companies, known for delivering exceptional experiences across a wide range of sectors. Through its extensive expertise and innovative vision, the company has established itself as a key player in the events industry, spanning sports, entertainment, and cultural events.
The tournament is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, as well as the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority. It is powered by the official sponsor, Commercial International Bank – Egypt (CIB), a longstanding supporter of both squash in Egypt and the tournament itself, and Carrier, the oldest supporter of the tournament.
Nuba El Gouna, the town’s first fully serviced apartment offering, that is fully managed by Orascom Property Management (OPM), also joins as a key supporter and a Platinum Sponsor. BMW participates as the luxury automotive partner, CI Capital as a Gold Sponsor, Orange as the official telecom partner, and Catering 360 as the official F&B services partner.
The event offers a unique viewing experience, where fans can witness top international players competing at the highest level while surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Red Sea town. Combining elite sport with El Gouna’s vibrant atmosphere and beautiful coastal setting, the tournament promises an unforgettable experience for both squash enthusiasts and visitors alike.
The tournament follows an action-packed schedule. The first round kicks off on April 4th at the Squash Complex, featuring four matches on the spectacular glass courts. The second round will take place on April 5 and 6, with matches split evenly between the complex and the glass courts.
Quarter finals are scheduled for April 7th and 8th on the glass courts, culminating in the semi-finals and finals on April 9th and 10th , also on the glass courts. The matches will be held in a festive atmosphere that reflects El Gouna's position as a global sports platform combining organizational excellence with top-tier athletic competition.
This year’s edition features a stellar lineup of players in both the men’s and women’s categories, including Egypt’s world No.1 Mostafa Asal, New Zealand’s world No.3 Paul Coll, Peru’s world No.2 Diego Elías, and Wales’ world No.5 Joel Makin in the men’s competition. The women’s draw will see the participation of Egypt’s world No.3 Hania El Hammamy, Egypt’s rising star and world No.5 Amina Orfi, Egypt’s world No.2 Nour El Sherbini, and the United States’ world No.4 Olivia Weaver. Their participation ensures exceptional competitive standards and world-class performance, reflecting the continued global growth and evolution of sport.