Dubai to host squash World Series Finals for next three years

Dubai will host squash's season-ending World Series Finals for the next three years, it has been revealed.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have announced the news after reaching an agreement with the Dubai Sport Council.

The discussions were facilitated by strategic advisory company Falcon and Associates, with the success of those talks now meaning the world’s top players will head to the United Arab Emirates until 2018 for the tournament, which has been given the official name of the PSA Dubai World Series Finals.

“We are delighted that an agreement has been reached which will see the Word Series Finals take place in Dubai for the next three years in what is a very positive move for the tournament and the sport,” said Alex Gough, PSA chief executive.

"The World Series Finals is an iconic tournament within the squash calendar and one of the most lucrative events on the tour.

“We are committed to growing the tournament over the next few years and feel that having the event securely positioned in a world class destination such as Dubai will help us achieve our goals."

In order to reach the event both men’s and women’s players will have to rank in the top eight places on the PSA Road To Dubai Standings, with ranking points set to be on offer at every PSA World Series tournament.

The PSA also believe that the decision will build upon the sport's strong regional presence and popularity in the Middle East, with several highly ranked players already coming from the region.

Players will have to finish in the top eight in the rankings to reach the tournament ©Getty Images

Details of the 2015 to 2016 World Series schedule are due to be released later this week and the organisers of next year’s finals will be provided with guidance from the PSA chairman Ziad Al-Turki.

The Saudi Arabian previously ran the tournament until 2012 during a successful four-year spell at London's Queens Club and has now taken up an advisory capacity, while he will also help with re-introducing the Z-court, a futuristic looking coloured glass show court.

“Hosting the PSA Word Series Finals in Dubai is an opportunity for us to create further awareness of the prestigious game in this part of the world,” said Saeed Hareb, secretary general of the Dubai Sports Council.

“Staging this event next year strengthens the UAE’s position in general, and Dubai’s position specifically, as a leading sports destination in the world, as we add squash to our already impressive and diverse sports portfolio.”

The Westwood Club in Richmond, Virginia, United States hosted the Finals last year.