The JSW Indian Open 2026 is a professional squash tournament taking place from March 18 to 22, 2026, at the CCI Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. It is the second edition of the event, recognised by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) as a Copper-tier tournament.
The draw features defending women’s champion Anahat Singh, alongside top Indian and international players. Prize money stands at $44,500 each for men and women, a first for any squash tournament in India.
Here is everything you need to know about the tournament, from the full draw and schedule to ticket details and where to watch it live.
JSW Indian Open 2026: Quick Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | JSW Indian Open 2026 |
| Sport | Squash |
| Dates | March 18–22, 2026 |
| Venue | CCI Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai |
| PSA Category | PSA Copper Event |
| Prize Money (Men) | $44,500 |
| Prize Money (Women) | $44,500 |
| Defending Champion (Men) | Kareem El Torkey (EGY) – 2025 edition |
| Defending Champion (Women) | Anahat Singh (IND) – 2025 edition |
| Organiser | JSW Sports |
| Tickets | Available on District by Zomato |
| Streaming | FanCode (Official Streaming Partner) |
| Edition | 2nd (Inaugural edition held in 2025) |
What Is the JSW Indian Open?
The JSW Indian Open is a professional squash tournament backed by JSW Sports and sanctioned by the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI).
It debuted in 2025 at the Bombay Gymkhana in Mumbai as India’s first-ever PSA Copper event.
Before this, major international squash had been absent from India for nearly seven years. The last significant tournament was the CCI International in 2018. So the JSW Indian Open filled a long gap.
The 2025 edition was so well received that the PSA recognised it as one of the Top 10 Iconic PSA Events of the year. That is no small thing for a first-year tournament.
Looking at the bigger picture, JSW Sports and the SRFI have signed a multi-year agreement to bring three more international tournaments to India, across Mumbai, New Delhi, and Chennai.
The goal? Prepare Indian players for squash’s Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Games and build a proper pipeline of home tournaments.
What Has Changed in the 2026 Edition?
A few things have changed from the inaugural edition, and they all point toward growth.
New Venue: CCI Brabourne Stadium
The tournament has moved from the Bombay Gymkhana to the CCI Brabourne Stadium. This is a larger, more iconic venue, and a deliberate upgrade.
The Cricket Club of India (CCI) is the official venue partner for the 2026 edition.
Equal Prize Money
In 2025, the men’s event had a $38,500 prize pool while the women’s had $15,000.
In 2026, both events carry $44,500 in prize money each, making this the first squash tournament in India to offer equal prize money for men and women.
Full Glass Court for Knockout Stages
The Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals will be played on a full glass court. This transforms the space into an arena-style squash theatre, designed for high-energy, close-quarters viewing.
If you have seen glass-court squash at venues like the Pyramids of Giza or Grand Central Station, you know how visually stunning this setup can be.
JSW Indian Open 2025: A Quick Recap
Before we jump into the 2026 draw, here is what happened last year.
In the women’s final, India’s Anahat Singh defeated Hong Kong’s Helen Tang 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-8) in just 24 minutes. It was a dominant performance from the teenager.
In the men’s final, Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey beat India’s Abhay Singh 3-1 (12-10, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10) in a hard-fought 84-minute match. Abhay pushed him, but Kareem held his nerve.
The QFs, SFs, and Final were played on outdoor glass courts at Bombay Gymkhana, giving fans a one-of-a-kind experience.
JSW Indian Open 2026: Full Schedule and Format
The tournament runs over five days. Here is the round-by-round breakdown.
| Date | Round | Session Times (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| March 18 (Tue) | Round 1 (Men & Women) | 12:00 PM onwards |
| March 19 (Wed) | Round 2 (Men & Women) | 12:00 PM onwards |
| March 20 (Thu) | Quarterfinals (Glass Court) | 3:00 PM onwards |
| March 21 (Fri) | Semifinals (Glass Court) | 6:30 PM onwards |
| March 22 (Sat) | Finals (Glass Court) | Men: 7:45 PM | Women: 7:00 PM |
Both the men’s and women’s draws feature 24 players each. The top 8 seeds in each draw receive first-round byes, so they enter directly in Round 2.
Top Seeds and Key Players: Men’s Draw
The men’s draw is headlined by a mix of Indian talent and international contenders.
| Seed | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yahya Elnawasany | Egypt |
| 2 | Abhay Singh | India |
| 3 | Ramit Tandon | India |
| 4 | Veer Chotrani | India |
| 5 | Velavan Senthilkumar | India |
| 6 | Sanjay Jeeva | India |
| 7 | Mohamed Sharaf | Egypt |
| 8 | Dewald van Niekerk | South Africa |
Yahya Elnawasany of Egypt is the top seed and the highest-ranked international player in the draw.
Abhay Singh, seeded second, will be eager to go one better after losing the 2025 final to Kareem El Torkey.
Ramit Tandon is one of India’s most experienced professionals and has been a consistent performer on the PSA circuit for years.
Veer Chotrani holds both Indian and American nationality. He earned a first-round bye after a solid run in the 2025 edition.
Top Seeds and Key Players: Women’s Draw
The women’s draw is headlined by the defending champion and a strong international contingent.
| Seed | Player | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anahat Singh | India |
| 2 | Hana Moataz | Egypt |
| 3 | Nadien Elhammamy | Egypt |
| 4 | Ainaa Amani | Malaysia |
| 5 | Joshna Chinappa | India |
| 6 | Enora Villard | France |
| 7 | Nour Khafagy | Egypt |
| 8 | Yasshmita Jadishkumar | Malaysia |
Anahat Singh: The Player to Watch
Anahat Singh enters the tournament as the top seed and the defending champion. But her story goes well beyond one title.
In February 2026, she won the Squash On Fire Open in Washington, beating world No. 10 Georgina Kennedy 3-0 in the final. That was her first PSA Bronze-level title and her 15th PSA title overall.
That win pushed her into the world’s top 20 rankings (World No. 19), making her the youngest Asian female player to break into the top 20, surpassed Malaysian legend Nicol David to achieve that milestone.
She is currently ranked No. 2 in the World Junior Ratings behind Egypt’s Amina Orfi.
She was also part of the Indian team that won a historic maiden Squash World Cup title in December 2025.
At just 17, she is coached by former world champion Gregory Gaultier and mentored by Indian squash icon Saurav Ghosal.
Joshna Chinappa: The Veteran Who Refuses to Slow Down
At 39, Joshna Chinappa is seeded fifth. A former world No. 10 and two-time Asian champion, she returned to competitive squash after knee surgery following the 2023 Asian Games.
In 2025, she won the Japan Open PSA Challenger title and reached the semifinals of the inaugural JSW Indian Open. Her presence adds both experience and star power.
Sponsors and Partners for the 2026 Edition
The tournament has assembled a strong roster of sponsors for 2026.
| Partner Category | Brand |
|---|---|
| Title Partner | JSW Group |
| Powered By Partner | SILA |
| Athlete Development Partner | M Resources |
| High-Performance Partner | Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) |
| Official Partner | K Raheja Corp Homes |
| Official Good Times Partner | Kingfisher |
| Official Energy Drink Partner | Red Bull |
| Official Hydration Partner | Bisleri |
| Official Venue Partner | Cricket Club of India (CCI) |
| Official Streaming Partner | FanCode |
How to Buy Tickets for JSW Indian Open 2026
Tickets are available exclusively on District by Zomato.
This is the same platform that now handles ticketing for IPL matches, concerts, and other live events in India.
Since the knockout rounds are played on a glass court, those sessions are likely to sell faster. If you are planning to attend, the QF, SF, and Final day tickets are the ones to grab early.
Where to Watch JSW Indian Open 2026 Live
FanCode is the official streaming partner for the 2026 edition. Matches will be available to stream live on the FanCode app and website.
For international viewers, SquashTV (the PSA’s official streaming platform) typically carries PSA Copper events. The tournament page on the PSA website also shows a SquashTV badge.
Live scores and draw updates will be available on the PSA Squash Tour website throughout the tournament.
Why This Tournament Matters: The Road to LA 2028
There is a bigger reason why the JSW Indian Open matters beyond just this week in Mumbai.
Squash will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Matches will be played at a glass court set up at Universal Studios’ Courthouse Square, the same backlot featured in films like Back to the Future.
The Olympic competition will feature 16 men and 16 women in singles events, with play scheduled from July 15 to July 24, 2028.
For Indian players, tournaments like the JSW Indian Open provide PSA ranking points that directly feed into Olympic qualification. The Olympic Qualification System includes routes through world rankings, continental games, and a final qualifying event.
As Divyanshu Singh, CEO of JSW Sports, put it: platforms like this tournament give Indian players the chance to compete at the highest level on home soil as they prepare for the global stage.
Currently, six Indian players rank in the world’s top 100. With more home tournaments and international coaching, that number is expected to grow.
About the Venue: CCI Brabourne Stadium
The CCI Brabourne Stadium is one of Mumbai’s most iconic sports venues. Built in 1937, it has hosted Test cricket matches, concerts, and now international squash.
It is located in Churchgate, South Mumbai, and is owned by the Cricket Club of India. For squash fans travelling to Mumbai, the venue is well connected by local trains, the metro, and road.
The move from Bombay Gymkhana to Brabourne reflects the tournament’s ambition to scale up. Brabourne offers a larger capacity and better infrastructure for the glass-court setup.
New to Squash? A Quick Primer
If this is your first time watching squash, here is the short version.
The court is fully enclosed with four walls. Two players take turns hitting a small rubber ball against the front wall. The ball can bounce on the floor only once before it must be returned.
Scoring follows a best-of-five format. Each game is played to 11 points. If the score reaches 10-10, you need a two-point lead to win the game.
The T is the most important spot on the court. It sits in the centre, and controlling it allows a player to cover the court quickly and dictate rallies.
Lets and strokes happen because both players share the same playing space. A let replays the point. A stroke awards the point to the obstructed player.
Think of it as a game where chess-level strategy meets 100-metre sprint fitness. Points are won through drop shots, tight drives along the wall, and well-timed volleys.
The Current State of Indian Squash in 2026
Indian squash is in a stronger position now than at any point in its history.
In December 2025, the Indian team won the Squash World Cup for the first time ever. That team included Anahat Singh, and the win marked a historic moment for the sport in the country.
Beyond Anahat, the depth in Indian squash is growing. Ramit Tandon has been a regular on the PSA World Tour for years. Abhay Singh reached the JSW Indian Open final in 2025. Velavan Senthilkumar and Sanjay Jeeva are solid mid-ranking professionals.
On the women’s side, Joshna Chinappa continues to compete at 39, while Anahat leads the next generation. Players like Tanvi Khanna are coming through the ranks, too.
The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), the High-Performance Partner for the JSW Indian Open, provides sports science and training support to these athletes.
Also Read:
JSW Indian Open 2026 Will Start From 18 March 2026
The JSW Indian Open 2026 is more than just a five-day squash tournament in Mumbai; it is part of a larger effort to put Indian squash on the global map ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics.
With equal prize money, a bigger venue, a glass court for the knockout rounds, and the defending champion returning as the top seed, this edition has all the ingredients for a strong week of sport. Catch it live on FanCode, or grab your tickets on District by Zomato if you are in Mumbai.
