2026-27 Season Tour Guide

Membership

SDA membership is limited to elite internationally recognized squash players. Membership dues of both players in a team must be paid before a player can enter a tournament. Both players must pass the SDA rules exam every year in order to register for events (beginning early 2027). Tournament registration must be completed online, through Club Locker. Email or late entries will not be accepted unless specified in writing by the Tour CEO in advance of the event deadline.

Full Member — Men's $500 / Women's $275

Players who have been unable to play more than one event in the season are entitled to a 50% refund.

A Full Member is entitled to:

• Enter SDA sanctioned tournaments and be awarded world-ranking points
• An SDA World Ranking
• Receive prize money
• Two votes at any meeting of members of the association

Playing Member — $250

A Playing Member is entitled to:

• Enter SDA sanctioned tournaments and be awarded world-ranking points
• An SDA World Ranking
• One vote at any meeting of members of the association

A Playing Member cannot receive pro or pro-am prize money. Any unclaimed prize money is returned to the SDA. To receive prize money, a Playing Member must upgrade to Full Membership prior to the completion of the event.

Pathway Member — $100

Must be currently enrolled in school or within 18 months of graduation. A Pathway Member is entitled to:

• Enter SDA sanctioned Challenger tournaments and be awarded world-ranking points
• An SDA World Ranking
• One vote at any meeting of members of the association

A Pathway Member cannot receive pro or pro-am prize money. Any unclaimed prize money is returned to the SDA. To receive prize money, a Pathway Member must upgrade to Full Membership prior to the completion of an event. To enter non-challenger events, Pathway members must upgrade to Playing or Full Members prior to entry.

Wild Card Entry — $0

If a Wild Card entrant wishes to receive any ranking points for that event, they must upgrade to Playing Membership within seven days of the completion of the event. If they wish to receive prize money and ranking points, they must upgrade to Full Membership before receiving their check. If a Wild Card entrant wishes to enter a second event, they must upgrade to Playing Membership before the second tournament's closing date.

Event Compensation

The SDA awards a hotel bonus to events that provide hotel accommodation. Double occupancy rooms must be provided starting the night before the main draw commences through the final day a player is competing in either the pro draw or the pro-am draw. Hotel must be a reasonable distance from tournament venue as determined by the Tour CEO. Transportation must be provided if required.

The following are the suggested bonus levels and must be agreed upon with the Tour CEO prior to the event:

• For 8 team draws with on-site prize money $5,000–$24,999 — 8 dual occupancy rooms for 16 players — $5,000 bonus
• For 12 team draws with on-site prize money $25,000–$39,999 — 12 dual occupancy rooms for 24 players — $10,000 bonus
• For 16 team draws with on-site prize money $40,000+ — 16 dual occupancy rooms for 32 players — $15,000 bonus

Event levels, restrictions and ranking points are based on total compensation (prize money + hotel bonus). Draw sizes and prize money payouts are based on on-site prize money. Wildcard teams who live locally are not eligible for accommodations or bonuses.

Player Restrictions

With the exception of events in June, July, and August, SDA Players are only allowed to participate in prize money exhibitions, invitationals, pro-ams and tournaments that are sanctioned by the SDA. Players ranked 17 and lower on the men's rankings and 9 and lower on the women's rankings are permitted to play in all non-prize money events but two players ranked in the men's Top 20 and the women's top 12 cannot play together. Top 16 players on the men's rankings and top 8 players on the women's rankings (including ties) may only compete in ONE non-prize money event per season. National Events are not included in this restriction:

• US and Canadian Nationals (excluding the Century Doubles Championships)
• National Team events such as Lapham-Grant and the Can-Am
• All Parent-Child formats and age group formats 40+

Top 16 Players on the men's rankings and top 8 Players on the women's rankings may nominate one "Home" Club (must be either a member or employee of that club to qualify) in which they can perform in any exhibition, tournament, or unsanctioned event. In the case of Canadian resident players "Home" is considered all squash venues in Canada.

Recommendations for payments for players at each level:

• Players ranked in the Top 16 — $10,000 total compensation
• Players ranked in the Top 12 — $15,000 total compensation
• Players ranked in the Top 8 — $20,000 total compensation
• Players ranked in the Top 4 — $25,000 total compensation
• We encourage all players to participate in SDA Board approved Charitable Exhibitions for free

Other Events

Invitational Events

Sites, by working through the Tour Director, can find a date and decide whom they want to have attend based on the SDA schedule and the event budget. Invitational Events must pay the SDA Sanctioning Fee of $1,000 for a reserved weekend on the calendar.

Recommendations for player payment:

• Players ranked 1-2: $2,250/player
• Players ranked 3-4: $1,600/player
• Players ranked 5-8: $1,000/player
• Players ranked 9-16: $700/player
• Players ranked 17 and lower: $500/player

Exhibitions

Sites, by working through the Tour Director, can decide which players they want to attend their event based on budget and player schedule.

• Players ranked 1-2: $1,550/player
• Players ranked 3-4: $1,100/player
• Players ranked 5-8: $700/player
• Players ranked 9-16: $500/player
• Players ranked 17 and lower: $350/player

Pro-Am Only Events

Sites, by working through the Tour Director, can decide whom they want to attend their Pro-Am Only event. The site must pay pros a minimum of $150/match (for both Main and Consolation rounds).

Charitable Exhibitions

Sites, by working through the Tour Director, can request players for approved Charitable Exhibitions. All players can set their own minimums but are encouraged to play for free (or expenses only).

Non-Compliance with SDA Event Restrictions

Players who do not follow SDA guidelines for invitationals, exhibitions and non-prize money events will be referred to the disciplinary committee.

Ranking Events

Event levels are based on total compensation (on-site prize money + hotel bonus). Draw sizes are based on total on-site prize money. Minimum of $2,500 prize money required to host a pro ranking event.

*Does not include mixed ranking tournaments. **Draw sizes may be changed with board approval.

Sanctioning Fees

Entries

Players enter in the "Members Area" of the SDA website using their Club Locker login. Both players, in a non-wild card team, must be SDA members before the deadline to be included. Deadline for entries is one month before the start of the event. Players must enter online prior to the entry deadline. No emailed entries will be accepted unless specified by the Tour CEO prior to the event deadline. The SDA reserves the right to extend entry deadlines until the main draw is full. A player has 48 hours after the event deadline to withdraw without penalty. If multiple events are held in the same weekend, players who are not on a waitlist may enter only one event.

Draws

The SDA will be responsible for taking all entries, setting draws, and managing draw changes due to player withdrawal. All SDA tournaments will have a seeded draw using the latest SDA World Rankings at the closing date for entries. Teams are seeded based on combined ranking points.

Wildcards

Wildcards are teams included in the draw at the discretion of the promoter and as agreed by the SDA. The SDA board expects that a tournament promoter utilizes the use of a wildcard place in a reasonable and responsible manner. The SDA reserve the right to have final discretion on any wildcard nomination.

SDA Wildcard Eligibility — the following conditions apply for all wildcards:

• A wildcard team member does not need to be an SDA member in order to compete.
• A wildcard team(s) must be nominated by the tournament promoter prior to the closing deadline.
• A home team wishing to be considered for inclusion as a Wild Card team can be nominated by the tournament director. Home teams are defined as members or employees of the host club(s).
• A non-home team wishing to be considered for inclusion as a Wild Card team must enter the event and notify the SDA. Non-home teams MUST NOT contact a tournament promoter directly. Contacting a TD directly regarding a wild card is subject to disciplinary action.
• A player may have 2 wildcards per 52-week rolling period.

Start Times

The tournament organizer is responsible for setting match times. SDA entries close the Thursday approximately one month prior to the event. Draws are released no later than the Tuesday after the event closes.

Refereeing

For all matches (except Semifinal and Final matches) players are responsible for refereeing matches:

• Two players from the losing team and one player from the winning team are required to referee the match directly after their own match. One player from the losing team is required to be the central referee. All three players must be in place and ready to start officiating within five minutes of completion of their match.
• For the first match of each round, the players from the last match of the day in that round are responsible for refereeing. Two players from the lower-seeded team and one from the higher-seeded team serve as officials. One player from the lower-seeded team serves as Central Referee.

For main draw Semi-Final and Final matches:

• First Semifinal: The central referee will be the On-Site representative. One member from each team from the second semi-final MUST be responsible for line judging.
• Second Semifinal: The central referee will be the On-Site representative. One member from the losing team and one member from the winning team MUST be responsible for line judging.
• Final: On-Site Rep will act as center referee and is responsible for finding two line judges.

For Semi-Final and Final matches for Challenger Events:

• The first semifinal is refereed by the second semifinal with one member of the lower ranked team taking center. The second semifinal is refereed by the first semifinal with a member of the losing team taking center.
• Final: On-Site rep will act as center and solo referee.

Pro-Ams

All pro ranking events that wish to run a Pro-Am alongside the main draw must pay pros a minimum of $150/match (for both main and consolation rounds). If a player enters a SDA event, they are required to play in the Pro-Am if requested by the Tournament Organizer or the SDA. Players who are unable to participate in the pro-am can submit a written request to the Tour CEO no later than two weeks before the entry deadline.

Clinics

If a player enters a professional tournament, he must make himself available for clinics if requested by the SDA. The SDA offers clinics to all ranking events and will rotate players throughout the season.

Tournament Information

Information pertaining to each tournament (Club Address, Dress Code, Hotel Information, Club Policies, Refereeing Responsibilities, Draws, Match Times, etc.) is available on Club Locker, which can be accessed via the SDA website.

Broadcast Policy

Any photographs, videotape or other audio and/or visual recordings of the event created by a spectator may be used solely for such spectator's personal non-commercial use, and may not be broadcast, published or disseminated, or used for any commercial purposes, without the prior written consent of the SDA Pro Tour. These restrictions apply to all media, including YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook etc.

Eyeguards

Eye guards are mandatory for all players at all events (including Pro-Am matches).

Player Withdrawal

If a player's partner withdraws prior to 48 hours before the start of the event, the player can find a replacement partner if they inform the SDA of their new partner 24 hours prior to the start of the first match. A replacement partner's points, on the date the event entries closed, must not cause the team to move up or down in a seeding group (1-2, 3-4, 5-8, 9-16, 17-32).

The replacement partner must have paid their relevant dues before the commencement of their first match. If a player's partner withdraws within 24 hours of the start of the tournament, the player may not find a replacement partner and the team must withdraw. Changes to Wild Card teams will be permitted up to the start of play.

A re-draw is required for the withdrawal of any seeded team up to 48 hours before the start of the first match. The No.1 waitlist team will be offered the vacated spot. If no waitlist team is available, the tournament director may include a local team. There will be no re-draw due to the withdrawal of any team within 48 hours of the pro matches beginning.

Prize Money Breakdowns

Prize Payment

Prize money is to be paid in U.S. Dollars. Tournament organizers are required to submit all prize money to the SDA no later than two weeks after the completion of the event. Players will be paid no later than three weeks after the SDA receives prize money from the event.

Appearance Fees

The SDA strictly prohibits the payment of appearance fees of any kind at any ranking SDA event.

Ranking System

A player's SDA ranking is based on the points table below, which roughly correlates to 1 point per 1 dollar earned (not including player tax). Points are capped at $70,000 for ranking purposes.

The total number of points a player accumulates in any 12-month period is divided by the number of tournaments played (minimum five tournaments for men and four tournaments for women in 12 months) to give an average score. Where a player has competed in more than the minimum number of tournaments in any 12-month period, the following formula applies:

Rankings are updated every Wednesday at 3am. Player rankings at the entry deadline date will be used when seeding a tournament.

Pegged Ranking

An SDA member who has not competed for a minimum of 26 weeks in any SDA Tour tournament (but has been absent on the tour for no more than 78 weeks) may be eligible to utilize a pegged ranking (PR) based upon their ranking. Players must have competed in a minimum of 5 events for men and 4 events for women in the 12 months prior to be eligible. Players must notify the SDA as soon as possible if they wish to utilize PR.

This elevated ranking will enable a player to combine their previous points total with their partner's and be placed in tournament entry lists higher than their actual ranking (AR) at the time would allow, and so be placed closer to their AR at the point at which they stopped competing.

PR is only available on the basis of medical or other related situation, as approved by the SDA. The SDA may refuse an application if they feel that the medical or related criteria are not applicable or that the player has been fit enough to compete as evidenced by activity other than in SDA registered tournaments. The 26-week minimum is pegged to start from the date the SDA receive the medical documentation for the injury which results in the prolonged absence from the SDA Tour*. The injury period is deemed to have ended at the start of the next competition they enter. The player concerned must have retained unbroken SDA membership during the period of inactivity.

*In the case of pregnancy, the PR may still be utilized and will be pegged to start from the end date of the last tournament in which the player participated. All other rules relating to PR apply.

Pegged Ranking System

The PR is determined by taking the player's ranking from when it was pegged to start as above. If the pegged ranking results in a team having the same number of combined ranking points as another team, the team with the PR player will be placed lower than the team with the actual ranking in the tournament order.

A player is permitted to use a maximum of two PRs to combine with any SDA member(s). The use of PRs must be completed within a period of 20 weeks, the start of which is taken from the first day of the first tournament a player competes in on their return from injury (regardless of whether the PR is used for this tournament). Eligible tournaments must be completed within 20 weeks of this start date. Note: the first day of the tournament is taken from the first day of first round of the tournament. A completed tournament refers to the last day of the main draw of a tournament (and not the date a player gets eliminated).

Should a player withdraw from a tournament after the closing, where the PR was used for seeding purposes, that event will be counted. If a player is waitlisted for an event but does not compete, that event will not count as a PR use. If a player is waitlisted for an event and is elevated to the main draw, the event will count as a PR use. If a player is waitlisted for an event and declines to be elevated to the main draw the event will not count.

A player is not obliged to use any or all available PRs. PRs and ARs may be used interchangeably but the player must notify the SDA prior to the tournament closing date and may not alter their status after the entry deadline. A member wishing to utilize their PR must apply to the SDA office no later than seven days before the entry deadline of each tournament they wish to utilize their PR for following their lay off.

Player Conduct

The SDA code of conduct pertains to players' conduct both on and off court. An On-Site Representative will be at all pro ranking events to report any infractions. All infractions reported during a tournament will be forwarded to the Disciplinary Committee (DC) within 48 hours of the completion of the event. If the involved player wishes to explain their actions, they have 48 hours to respond to the DC. If a player receives a fine, they must pay the full amount within four weeks of receiving the ruling. If the fine is not received within four weeks, the player will not be able to enter or compete in any events until the fine is paid.

SDA members are expected to conduct themselves professionally both on and off court at all times. Any on-court or off-court behavior including use of social media that is determined to be damaging to the SDA Pro Tour or its partners may be subject to disciplinary action.

Player Communication

Players are not permitted to contact tournament directors in advance of an event for any reason.

Attendance at Mandatory Social Functions

Sites are encouraged to arrange one mandatory social function during the tournament. All players that enter must attend. If a player has been eliminated from both the Pro and Pro-Am draws the day before the social function, they are not required to attend.

On-Court Fines

On-court conduct includes but is not limited to: racquet abuse, obscenities, arguing with officials, time-wasting, aggressive behavior, and best efforts violations.

Note: These guidelines also apply to Pro-Am play. Any on-court offense resulting in a conduct point or worse will automatically be reviewed by the disciplinary committee.

During the match, the Central Referee follows this schedule:

Off-Court Fines

Late Arrival

Late arrival with communication to club/tournament director:

Late arrival without communication within 15 minutes after scheduled match time:

Club Dress Code

On-Court Clothing Dress Code

On-court clothing consists of matching shirts and shorts for qualifying and main-round events. Partners must have matching shirts that should be of a different color than the opposing team. If both teams arrive wearing the same colors, the lower-seeded team must change. Lower seeded teams are required to bring a white shirt and matching color shirts to all matches.

Refereeing Responsibilities

Late Withdrawal

A player has 48 hours after the entry deadline to withdraw without penalty. All withdrawals after the 48-hour deadline, except the first proven medical instance or family grievance per 12-month period, result in a penalty zero.

Without a doctor's note:

With a doctor's note:

Pro-Am Responsibilities

Non-Compliance with SDA Event Restrictions

Non-compliance with SDA guidelines for invitationals, exhibitions and non-prize money events is considered a major offense and is punishable by fines and/or suspension from the tour. All instances will be reviewed by the disciplinary committee and penalties will be determined on a case by case basis.

Pro Rule Changes

Three-Referee System

• The Three-Referee System uses a Central Referee (CR) and two Line Judges (LJ).
• Where possible, the two LJs should be seated behind the back wall in line with the inside line of the service box on each side.
• When a player requests a Let, all three referees must decide simultaneously and independently. In the event of three different decisions, the final decision will be Yes Let.
• When a player appeals against a call of Down, Not Up, Out, or Fault, all three referees must decide simultaneously and independently.
• The CR announces the decision without revealing individual decisions or whether it was unanimous.
• The CR alone decides all other matters (time-periods, player conduct, injury, court conditions, etc.).
• Players may not address the LJs, only the CR. Dialogue must be kept to a minimum.

Hand signals (where electronic system not available):

• Let = Thumb and forefinger in the shape of an "L"
• Stroke = Clenched fist
• No Let = Hand held out flat, palm downwards
• Ball Down / Not Up / Out = Thumb down
• Up / In = Thumb up

Ball Changes

The ball will be replaced after game 3 of every match unless the ball has already been replaced during one of the first three games.

Blood Rule

Self-Inflicted

A self-inflicted blood injury must be treated promptly. The player has up to 10 minutes to stop the bleeding and clean any blood from the court. If bleeding continues beyond 10 minutes, the player forfeits the game to receive an additional 2 minutes. If still unable to stop the bleeding, the player forfeits the match. Venues must have a first aid kit readily available, but players are strongly encouraged to carry their own basic medical supplies.

Contributed

Where the blood injury is caused by both players' actions, the injured player has reasonable time to stop the blood flow and cover any wound. Reasonable time is determined by the Referee. If the same blood injury reoccurs through no fault of either player, the injured player shall have further reasonable time. If the same blood injury reoccurs solely due to an action by the injured player, no further time shall be allowed and the player must concede the game.

Opponent Inflicted

Where the blood injury is caused solely by the opponent's accidental action, the Referee may apply on-court conduct rules, and the injured player has reasonable time to stop the blood flow. If the injured player cannot resume play, the Referee must award the match to the injured player. Where the blood injury is caused by the opponent's deliberate or dangerous play, the Referee must apply the on-court conduct rule and award the match to the injured player.

Where there is a stoppage in play, the court must be cleaned and bloodstained clothing replaced.