Tres Cantos, a municipality just north of Madrid, is now home to Spain’s largest squash facility. Located in a city-owned sports centre, it boasts seven standard courts plus a state-of-the-art, all-glass court.
Known for its commitment to sport, Tres Cantos voted its squash club “Best Sporting Entity of 2024” at the recent awards ceremony. Eduardo Lorca, head of sport for the city, praised the club for its achievements.
This impressive setup did not happen overnight. The local mayor first announced his wish to invest in a glass court several years ago, inspired by a memorable Junior National Championship hosted at the club. Although the COVID pandemic delayed the project, the council ultimately delivered. The new glass court was a significant six figure investment, including the structural renovations needed to fit the court in a dedicated room. Its completion places Tres Cantos on the squash map, offering Spain’s only permanent and demountable all-glass court designed for top-level events, both in the club and potentially in iconic locations around Spain.
High Occupancy and Broad Community Usage
The squash programme in Tres Cantos is thriving, and this is reflected in the courts’ occupancy rates. On weekday evenings, the courts are booked solid as both juniors and adults take part in training sessions, league matches, and social play. Lunchtime hours are also popular, with players dropping by for a quick match or lesson. Weekends, too, remain busy with junior programmes and club competitions.
Tres Cantos draws in various types of players:
The Squash School: Approximately 100–130 people, including both juniors and adults, pay for regular lessons in group or individual formats.
League Players: A strong local league runs with multiple divisions—up to seven or eight tiers—attracting 50+ active participants.
Virtual Clubs: Independent “virtual” squash groups, such as Squash Freak, use the same facility to host training sessions and social events.
Casual & Leisure Players: Many locals simply reserve a court for fun, taking advantage of the public sports membership that offers reduced court fees (around 7 euros per hour for residents of Tres Cantos).
Because it is part of a city-run sports centre, the facility itself does not require a specific “Tres Cantos Squash Club” membership. Instead, players can purchase a general sports card from the council, which allows them to book the courts at a discounted rate. This open structure keeps the courts continuously occupied and fosters a diverse community of squash enthusiasts.
Plans for the Future of the Tres Cantos Squash Facility
With eight squash courts up and running (seven standard glass-backed, recently renovated courts and one glass), Tres Cantos still has its sights set on further growth. The club is studying the possibility of adding additional squash courts—or even expanding to create a social area with a café or bar. The goal is to turn Tres Cantos into an even more appealing squash hub, encouraging players to stay longer and build a stronger community spirit.
Beyond facility expansion, there is growing momentum for Team Squash events. Organizers hope to schedule more team competitions to create a livelier atmosphere around match days. These plans aim to make squash not just an individual game in Tres Cantos, but a real community event where players and spectators gather for spirited matches and social time afterward.
Club Structure and Activities
Even though Tres Cantos does not operate as a traditional “membership-only” club, it is housed in a larger community sports facility that also offers basketball, volleyball, and other athletic activities.
Within this setting, a core community of squash coaches, players and volunteers drive the programme forward. Several members have become local ambassadors, supporting the junior programme, adult leagues, and other events.
Junior Programmes & Coaching: Young players benefit from group sessions and private lessons with. many going on to compete in Spanish national events and European junior circuits. The club is proud to have helped develop two recent national junior champions. Later stage juniors also have the option of working as trainers of early stage junior classes for a bit of extra pocket money.
Adult Leagues & Club Nights: Each week, there are scheduled sessions for adults, known as “club nights.” These sessions offer social play, friendly competition, and coaching clinics for all levels.
Team Events & Tournaments: The facility hosts internal club competitions, local Madrid league matches, and aims to organize more team-based events to promote community spirit.
Spanish Women Open 2025 - First PSA Event in Tres Cantos
The most significant milestone this season is the first PSA (Professional Squash Association) tournament at Tres Cantos. Set to take place at the end of March, the Women Spanish Open will use the all-glass court as its centrepiece. The USD 35.000 women’s event is attracting a high calibre of players, including top 30–50 of the world ranking.
Financing a professional event of this scale is no simple feat. In Tres Cantos, it has come through a combination of:
Local Government Support: The Madrid regional government has contributed funds to help cover tournament expenses.
Private Sponsors: Local businesses such as Cobendai (a car dealership) have stepped in, plus various smaller sponsors.
Club Investment: The club has invested in the tournament, confident that successful delivery will generate greater sponsorship interest in the future. This will enable the club and Madrid federation to promote even more ambitious tournaments for subsequent editions.
By hosting this PSA tournament, Tres Cantos shines the spotlight on Spanish squash. The city council also benefits by demonstrating a return on its investment. Holding high-profile sports competitions is a key strategy for highlighting Tres Cantos’ outstanding facilities and attracting visitors from all over Spain—and the globe.
Conclusion
Tres Cantos stands out for its scale and ambition. With eight squash courts in total, an ever-growing community of leisure and competitive players, and the bold decision to build Spain’s only permanent glass court, it is quickly becoming a national hub. Backed by the local council’s enthusiasm, a thriving junior programme, and a supportive squash community, Tres Cantos is poised for even more growth.
The upcoming Women Spanish Open 2025 marks a significant step forward—both for Tres Cantos and for Spanish squash. By blending public investment with private passion, Tres Cantos is turning its courts into a showcase for the sport. In the years to come, expect more courts, more team events, and stronger ties among local, regional, and international squash fans. Keep an eye on Tres Cantos—it may well lead the next surge of Spanish squash on the world stage.
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