Increasing Popularity and Influx of Sponsorships Money to Help Improve Uptake of Squash Rackets Market

Even though squash is not an Olympic sport yet, it has been consistently urged to become one in the upcoming Olympic in Tokyo and after that. Initiatives by regulatory bodies such as World Squash Federation (WSF) have played their roles in improving and raising the game’s popularity. In addition to this, growing awareness about the health advantages of playing squash is driving up the participation as a recreational sport. These are some of the key factors that are helping to drive the overall development of the global squash rackets market.

The game of squash is increasing in popularity across the globe and growing number of players are now able to compete in the sport professionally. Many players are taking part in Professional Squash Association tournaments from several different countries. The sport is now being played in 130 countries, on over 47,000 courts, and the World Squad Federation has now 116 registered National Associations in terms of memberships. The sport is also gaining popularity among amateurs and beginner level players.

Influx of Broadcasting Money to Help Popularizing Sport

While squash has garnered increased attention as a recreational activity, professional interest in the game has also stepped up in the recent past. For instance, the Professional Squash Association, in 2015, announced for the first time record growth in terms of television exposure for its tournaments, with partnerships from Astro, BeIn Sport, Fox Sports Australia, Sky Sports NZ, Super Sports, Ten Sports, and Tennis Channel.

For the 2019/20 season, the PSA allowed for squash tournament viewership through channels such as Eurosport Player, SquashTV service, DAZN, and Facebook to broadcast over 600 live squash matches through digital platforms. As per a SquashTV report, the channel surpassed 100 million views in January 2019 through YouTube.

This is a key trend that is indicative of growing public interest in the sport, and is expected to generate demand for squash rackets from beginner-, intermediate-, and advanced-level players in the foreseeable future.

Demand for lightweight equipment while playing squash is on the rise, which is a key influencer contributing to developments in the industry. Low-weight squash rackets have become mainstream among professional athletes to improve performance without compromising on strength or flexibility.

Carbon Fiber to Remain Popular Manufacturing Material

Carbon fiber is one of the more popular materials replacing steel and wood. Technifibre and Prince Global, for instance, have unveiled their range of squash rackets comprising carbon fiber material, since 2016. Further, manufacturers such as HEAD and Karakal have adopted nanotechnology in their offerings. For instance, Karakal rackets utilize its proprietary Nano Superlight Resin for graphite layering in varied angles for the development of unidirectional fibers. Strength, stiffness, abrasion resistance, and reduced friction and weight are key parameters that manufacturers take into account.

Consumers have become increasingly aware and responsible regarding their environmental footprint. The global squash rackets industry is witnessing increasing demand for eco-friendly offerings. Water-based, organic coatings and adhesives, and increased use of recycled plastic materials are gaining ground for the production of squash equipment.

Key competitors such as Dunlop and Wilson have announced initiatives to manufacture rackets with up to 20% reduction in chemicals in comparison to conventional offerings. Wilson has also announced production processes involving recyclable materials, with the aim of reducing disposed plastic, influencing market developments.