US Squash has announced that the 2020 U.S. Open Squash Championships, scheduled for November 14-21 in Philadelphia, has been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
US Squash made the decision prioritizing the safety of athletes, fans, staff and partners and in consideration of current local, state, and federal guidelines.
The U.S. Open, a PSA World Tour Platinum event, will celebrate its tenth staging in Philadelphia in partnership with Drexel University at the state-of-the-art Arlen Specter US Squash Center in 2021, set to be completed by December 2020. Located across 33rd street from Drexel’s Daskalakis Athletic Center, where the event has been held for the past nine years, the Specter Center will showcase the world’s best squash players at the 2021 U.S. Open on eighteen singles courts – including two all-glass show courts.
“Cancelling our flagship event is of course deeply disappointing, however the pandemic has left nothing unscathed in the world of sports and live entertainment, and it is clear that running a major international competition this fall is not prudent or possible,” said Kevin Klipstein, President & CEO of US Squash. “We are already making plans to welcome the squash community and the world’s best athletes for the 2021 U.S. Open at the Specter Center, and we can’t wait to showcase this amazing facility.”
“Since 2011, US Squash’s partnership with Drexel has brought international attention to Philadelphia and made the U.S. Open one of the world’s premiere squash events,” said John Fry, President of Drexel University. “We look forward to celebrating the 10th edition of our partnership on the championship in 2021 in the U.S. Open’s new home at the Specter Center in the heart of Drexel’s campus.”