Professional squash continues to modernize its rules to meet the expectations of broadcasters and audiences. The Professional Squash Association (PSA) has officialized a major overhaul of its match format for the PSA Squash Tour Finals. Designed to intensify the spectacle and make the tournament easier to follow, this transformation deeply changes the face of the end-of-season competition.

The end of calculations: A move to direct elimination

The most visible modification of this reform lies in the complete removal of the traditional "Round Robin" format, which previously saw players compete in two groups of four.

• A knockout draw from day one: The tournament now adopts a classic single-elimination format starting from the quarterfinals. The world's top eight men and top eight women are under immediate pressure, with no safety net in case of an initial slip-up.

• Greater clarity: For both spectators and broadcasters, the stakes of every single match become instantly clear, eliminating complex set- or point-count calculations typical of group stages.

Standardization of "Best of 5" and the arrival of sudden death

To heighten the athletic intensity, governing bodies have harmonized match formats and disrupted traditional tie-break rules.

• Best of five games across the board: While early rounds and group stages were previously played as best of three, the entire competition is now played as "Best of 5," demanding constant physical excellence from the opening round right through to the final.

• Decisive point at 10-10: The historic rule requiring a two-point lead to win a game has been removed for the first four games. In the event of a 10-all tie, sudden death applies: the player who scores the next point wins the game immediately (11-10), sharpening the dramatic tension at the end of each set.

Between athletic demands and television imperatives

This restructuring condenses the event into four intense days while delivering a more direct format for viewers. Combining knockout matches with high-tension set finishes, professional squash confirms its drive to offer a fast-paced show perfectly calibrated for screens.