OUR BIG 2025 SERIES REVIEW PART 2

THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE!

This year has been transformative for Racketball on the international stage, with several noteworthy developments. We’ve witnessed the rise of new overseas events, such as the Gibraltar and Welsh Opens, alongside the established British and Scottish Opens, which continue to draw significant attention.

Looking ahead, these competitions are already scheduled for 2026, now accompanied by the addition of the Guernsey and Finnish Open events in May, with Portugal set to introduce its own Open tournament as well. In an exciting development, we have reached an agreement with the European Squash Federation (ESF) to host the inaugural European Squash57/Racketball Cup, taking place from October 2nd - 4th 2026.

This partnership marks a significant milestone for the sport, highlighting its growing popularity beyond the UK. The support from the European and World Squash governing bodies further underscores the momentum Racketball is gaining. It will be fascinating to see who emerges as the first-ever European Champion in 2026 and which new players will step up to the challenge. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!

Another highlight has been the growth of the International Racketball Team Championships, which successfully completed its second year in Cardiff. Teams from England, Scotland, Wales, and Jersey competed fiercely over the weekend, showcasing exceptional skills across various age groups. The event fostered a vibrant team spirit, marked by camaraderie and friendly banter—truly embodying the essence of the sport! Team England celebrated a clean sweep of wins, but with rumors of strengthened line-ups and new contenders for 2026, they will face a more significant challenge next time. The next edition will take place in London, hosted jointly by the Woodford Wells and Connaught Clubs at the beginning of September. The excitement for the coming battles is palpable!

A rundown of the action from the event can be found here: https://www.uk-racketball.com/cardiff-2025.html

A special thank you goes to Price of Bath, our headline sponsors for the International Teams event. Their support enabled us to deliver a remarkable tournament and continues to aid our efforts to expand the game's reach across Europe—evident in the upcoming European Cup next year. We also extend our appreciation to all the captains and team managers whose hard work in organizing and leading their teams has been invaluable.

In summary, it is clear that Racketball is thriving and expanding—not just within our home borders but also internationally. The influx of new players and diverse playing styles enriches the game, promoting innovation and the introduction of new events. With a busy 2026 on the horizon, we eagerly anticipate what more lies ahead.