Promoters

Interested in running an SDA event? Email us for more information at info@sdaprotour.com.

what do i need to host an sda event?

A minimum of one doubles court, a love of the game, and the ability to raise some funds!

SDA events come in all shapes and sizes, with prize money ranging from $2,500 Challenger events to $70,000 premier tournaments. That means there is an opportunity for clubs and venues of all sizes to become part of the professional tour. You don’t need to start with a major event; many successful tournaments begin on a smaller scale and grow over time as support and interest build.

The first step is simply to talk to the SDA. We’ll work with you to identify a suitable date on the tour calendar, discuss the type and level of event that makes sense for your club, and help you understand the budget and requirements involved.

From there, we can provide guidance on everything from tournament structure and player entries to scheduling, promotion, streaming, and event standards. Your club brings the court, local support, and enthusiasm; the SDA provides the framework and experience to help bring the professional game to your community.

Whether you’re looking to introduce professional doubles to your club for the first time or build an existing event into something bigger, there is a place for you on the SDA Pro Tour.

How many players will play my event?

The size of your event will depend on a number of factors, including the level of the tournament, draw size, timing, location, and where the event falls within the overall SDA calendar.

The SDA will work with you in advance to determine an appropriate draw size for your event. Once confirmed, the tournament will be added to the calendar and promoted to eligible SDA players. Organizers can then follow entries as players sign up through the event’s Club Locker listing.

While we can’t guarantee which players will enter a particular event, we work closely with our player community throughout the season and can help you understand what to expect based on your event level, location, and dates.

Can I run a pro-am only event?

Absolutely. You don’t need to host a professional ranking event to bring SDA players to your club.

Pro-Am events are a great way to introduce professional doubles to your membership, create opportunities for members to play alongside some of the best players in the game, and build excitement around doubles at your club. They can also be a great first step for venues interested in potentially hosting a full SDA Pro Tour event in the future.

The SDA can work with you on the structure and sanctioning of a standalone Pro-Am and help connect your event with SDA professionals.

For more information about hosting or sanctioning a Pro-Am, contact the SDA at info@sdaprotour.com.

Event levels are based on total compensation (on-site prize money + hotel bonus). Draw sizes are based on total on-site prize money.

Event Type	Prize Money	Hotel Bonus	Total Comp.	Draw Size	Player Restrictions
Challenger	$2,500	$0	$2,500	4+ Teams	No Top 32M 20W
Challenger	$5,000	$0	$5,000	6+ Teams (1 WC)	No Top 24M 12W
Challenger	$10,000	$0	$10,000	8+ Teams (1 WC)	No Top 16M 4W
Challenger	$10,000	$5,000	$15,000	10+ Teams (1 WC)	No Top 12M
Challenger	$15,000	$0	$15,000	10+ Teams (1 WC)	No Top 12M
Bronze	$15,000	$5,000	$20,000	12+ Teams (1 WC)	No Top 8M
Bronze	$20,000	$0	$20,000	12 Teams (1 WC)	No Top 8M
Silver	$20,000	$5,000	$25,000	14 Teams (1 WC)	No Top 4M
Silver	$25,000	$0	$25,000	14 Teams (1 WC)	No Top 4M
Gold	$30,000	$0	$30,000	16 Teams (1 WC)	No Restrictions
Gold	$25,000	$10,000	$35,000	18 Teams (1 WC)	No Restrictions
Gold	$35,000	$0	$35,000	18 Teams (1 WC)	No Restrictions
Platinum	$30,000	$10,000	$40,000	20 Teams (2 WC)	No Restrictions
Platinum	$35,000	$10,000	$45,000	20 Teams (2 WC)	No Restrictions
Platinum	$40,000	$0	$40,000	20 Teams (2 WC)	No Restrictions
Diamond	$40,000	$10,000	$50,000	22 Teams (2 WC)	No Restrictions
Diamond	$50,000+	$0	$50,000	22 Teams (2 WC)	No Restrictions

WC = wildcard place. M = men, W = women.

What ranking level pros can I expect?

• $5,000 Challenger — No top 24 (men). No Top 12 (women)
• $10,000 Challenger — No top 16 (men), top 4 (women)
• $15,000 Challenger — No top 12 players (men). No restrictions (women)
• $20,000 — No top 8 players (men)
• $25,000 — No top 4 players (men)
• $30,000 and above — No restrictions

Can non-SDA pros play in my event?

Each tournament may enter wildcard team(s). Those players cannot accept prize money unless they become full SDA members. Non-members are not permitted to play in sanctioned SDA events unless given a wildcard.

Who is signed up to play in the pro-am?

When SDA players enter an event, they agree to make themselves available to participate in the Pro-Am if asked. Which professionals you include is entirely up to you, allowing you to build a format and field that works best for your members and your event.

Ahead of the tournament, you will be asked to provide the SDA with details of your Pro-Am, including the number of participants, anticipated start and finish times, and whether there will be consolation matches. The completed Pro-Am draw, including match times, must be available to players by the Monday of the event week at the latest. When building your schedule, please take players’ professional draw matches and other event commitments into consideration.

Unless otherwise agreed in advance with the SDA, all Pro-Am matches must be completed during the professional event.

How much do I pay pro-am players?

SDA Tour Regulations require professionals participating in a Pro-Am to receive a minimum of $150 per match, including both main draw and consolation matches. Clubs are welcome to pay above the minimum, and we encourage offering an additional bonus to the winning professionals in both the main draw and consolation.

A well-supported Pro-Am is an important part of many SDA events. It gives members the opportunity to compete alongside the professionals and helps create the interaction between players and the local squash community that makes these weekends special.

How do I distribute pro and pro-am prize money?

The SDA handles player payments on behalf of tournament organizers, making the process as straightforward as possible for both the event and the players.

At the conclusion of your event, you will need to provide the SDA with the total amount of Pro-Am compensation, along with a breakdown showing each professional and the amount they should be paid. The SDA will then send you an invoice covering all professional prize money and Pro-Am payments.

All prize money must be paid to the SDA within two weeks of the conclusion of the event. Payment can be made by ACH or check, or online with a 2.8% processing fee. Checks should be made payable to SDA Pro Tour.

Once the event funds have been received, the SDA distributes the appropriate payments directly to the players. Prompt payment is important, as the SDA does not distribute prize money to players until the corresponding funds have been received from the event.

The SDA sanctioning fee is an additional 5% of the total professional prize money and is paid by the event on top of the advertised prize purse.

For example, an event offering $20,000 in professional prize money would pay $20,000 in prize money plus a $1,000 SDA sanctioning fee.

Any separate hotel or accommodation bonus is not included when calculating the sanctioning fee.

The sanctioning fee supports the administration and operation of the professional tour, including rankings, tournament support, player administration, promotion, and the continued development of professional squash doubles.

What if something goes wrong, or I need help?

You’re not on your own! The SDA is available throughout the planning process to answer questions, offer guidance, and help you work through any issues that arise. In the lead-up to your event, contact Suzie at suzie.pierrepont@sdaprotour.com with any questions or concerns.

The SDA also provides an on-site representative at every ranking event. Your representative will be in touch ahead of the tournament and will be available throughout the event to help with tour-related questions, player communication, rules, scheduling issues, or anything unexpected that comes up. Please make use of them, they are there to help your event run as smoothly as possible.

What do I need to provide?

Every SDA event is different, and the level of hospitality you provide can be tailored to your venue and budget. Hotels, local transportation, meals, drinks, player gifts, and access to a physical therapist are all welcome additions and can help create a great experience for the players, but what you are able to offer is ultimately up to you.

The SDA will provide the official match balls ahead of the tournament. We do require every venue to have a well-stocked first aid kit readily accessible near the court, including easy access to ice packs.

Good hospitality doesn't have to mean a huge budget. If you're unsure where to start, the SDA can help you think through your event budget, fundraising opportunities, and where your resources will have the greatest impact. We have experience with events of all sizes and are always happy to offer guidance.

Once Entries Close

• Entries close four weeks before the start of your event, with the draw made the following Tuesday. Once you receive the draw, please send your proposed match times to the SDA as soon as possible so they can be added and communicated to the players.

  The SDA will also provide you with a tournament poster featuring the completed draw, ready to print and display at your venue.

Leading Up to Your Event

• There are a few things we’ll need from you in the weeks leading up to the tournament:

  • Send the SDA any sponsor logos you would like included on the tournament draw and event materials.
  • Send your completed Pro-Am draw and match times to the SDA for distribution to the players. The Pro-Am draw must be available no later than the Monday of event week.
  • If your event has its own website or event page, make sure it is up to date and send the link to the SDA.
  • Provide any sponsor, club, or event social media accounts that should be tagged in SDA coverage.
  • Your designated SDA Player Representative will be in touch ahead of the event and can assist with any tour-related questions during the tournament.
  • iPads are used for official scoring. Please confirm with the SDA ahead of time whether these will be provided or whether your venue will need to supply them.

Game Day

• A little preparation before the first match goes a long way. Before play begins, please make sure:

  • Courts have been swept and are clean and ready for play. If mopping is necessary, allow plenty of time for the court to dry completely.
  • Current professional and Pro-Am draws are printed and available.
  • A well-stocked first aid kit is easily accessible near the court, including plenty of bandages, athletic tape, and a rapid-seal product for blood injuries.
  • Ice and ice packs are readily available.
  • Water is available for players near the court.
  • A clipboard, pen, and paper are available for referees.
  • A supply of new match balls is readily accessible.

  Your SDA representative will also be on site to help with any tour-related issues that arise during the event.

Once Your Event Is Over

• Once the final matches are complete, please send the SDA a completed copy of your Pro-Am draw, along with the total amount of Pro-Am compensation and a breakdown of how much should be paid to each professional.

  The SDA will then issue an invoice covering the professional prize money, Pro-Am payments, and applicable sanctioning fee.

  All prize money must be received by the SDA within two weeks of the conclusion of the event. Once the funds have been received, the SDA will distribute payments directly to the players.

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