Why is squash court franchise a viable business in India now?

World Premier Squash's official launch in August 2026 with Saurav Ghosal (India's Olympic squash player) as Sports Commissioner will generate mainstream media coverage and aspirational interest among urban elites. Currently, India has <50 dedicated squash courts in major metros versus 500+ in Dubai and Singapore. The timing aligns squash's rise as a status sport with infrastructure scarcity, creating a 3–5 year first-mover window before international brands enter.

How much does it cost to start a squash court business in India?

A single premium squash court (international standard, 9.75m × 6.4m) costs ₹8–12 lakh to construct (court surface, lighting, air handling). A 5-court facility with lounge, pro shop, and changing rooms requires ₹40–60 lakh total capex. Including lease deposit, working capital, and marketing: ₹50–75 lakh. Franchise model: partner provides ₹1–1.5 crore for 4–6 courts in metro locations.

How profitable is a squash court business in India?

A 5-court facility targeting 200 members at ₹50,000/year membership yields ₹1 crore gross revenue. With 40% operating margins (lease, staff, utilities, maintenance), net profit is ₹40 lakh/year. Additional revenue from coaching (₹50–80 lakh/year) and retail (₹15–25 lakh/year margin) lifts total EBITDA to ₹90–120 lakh/year. ROI: 18–24 months for initial capital.

What regulations apply to squash court business in India?

Court hire services are taxed at 5% GST (IGST on interstate). Equipment sales at 18% GST. Coaching services at 5% GST if certified trainer. Building safety must meet Sports Authority of India (SAI) facility standards and local municipal bylaws. Franchise agreements require disclosure under Indian Contract Act 1872 and Companies Act 2013 if structured as FDD. Player injury liability: mandatory sports accident insurance (available at ₹2–5 lakh for ₹50 crore cover). Court construction must comply with National Building Code (NBC) 2016.

AI SummaryWorld Premier Squash's August 2026 debut positions India as a high-growth squash market, yet premium court infrastructure remains critically undersupplied: Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore have fewer than 15 international-standard courts combined, versus 500+ in Singapore and 300+ in UAE. A franchise-based premium squash court operator could capture ₹150–250 crore TAM by 2028 through membership fees (₹50,000–100,000/year), coaching (₹200–400/hour), and equipment retail. Timing is optimal: Saurav Ghosal's WPS commissioner role will drive elite interest, while India's 150+ million affluent households ($30K+ annual income) provide a sustainable membership base. Early movers who secure prime real estate in Tier-1 metros by Q3 2026 can establish 3–5 flagship facilities before larger international sports operators recognize the gap.

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sports_infrastructurepremium_fitnessfranchise_retailcoaching_servicesequipment_retailIndiaGlobal📍 National Capital Region (Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida)📍 Mumbai and Suburban Districts📍 Bangalore and Surrounding Tech Parks📍 Hyderabad (emerging affluent demographic)📍 Kolkata (Ghosal's home city—brand affinity)hybridHigh EffortScore 5.7

Premium Squash Court Franchise Network for India

Q: How much does it cost to start a squash court business in India?

A single premium squash court (international standard, 9.75m × 6.4m) costs ₹8–12 lakh to construct (court surface, lighting, air handling). A 5-court facility with lounge, pro shop, and changing rooms requires ₹40–60 lakh total capex. Including lease deposit, working capital, and marketing: ₹50–75 lakh. Franchise model: partner provides ₹1–1.5 crore for 4–6 courts in metro locations.

Q: How profitable is a squash court business in India?

A 5-court facility targeting 200 members at ₹50,000/year membership yields ₹1 crore gross revenue. With 40% operating margins (lease, staff, utilities, maintenance), net profit is ₹40 lakh/year. Additional revenue from coaching (₹50–80 lakh/year) and retail (₹15–25 lakh/year margin) lifts total EBITDA to ₹90–120 lakh/year. ROI: 18–24 months for initial capital.

Q: What regulations apply to squash court business in India?

Court hire services are taxed at 5% GST (IGST on interstate). Equipment sales at 18% GST. Coaching services at 5% GST if certified trainer. Building safety must meet Sports Authority of India (SAI) facility standards and local municipal bylaws. Franchise agreements require disclosure under Indian Contract Act 1872 and Companies Act 2013 if structured as FDD. Player injury liability: mandatory sports accident insurance (available at ₹2–5 lakh for ₹50 crore cover). Court construction must comply with National Building Code (NBC) 2016.

Signal Intelligence

Sources

🔥 High Signal

Signal

2026-03-13

First Seen

2026-03-24

Last Seen

🔁 RESURFACING SIGNAL

2026-03-20→

2026-03-21→

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The Opportunity

World Premier Squash's inaugural August 2026 launch signals global squash expansion, yet India lacks adequate premium squash infrastructure despite having an Olympic medalist (Saurav Ghosal) as league commissioner. This creates a supply-demand gap: rising interest in squash among affluent urban Indians, but fewer than 50 dedicated squash courts across major metros, forcing players to travel or use substandard facilities.

Market Size₹150–250 crore addressable market in India by 2028 (450+ affluent metro households willing to pay ₹50,000–100,000/year for memberships; squash equipment and coa

Why NowSquash courts fall under Sports Infrastructure (GST 5% for court hire; 18% for equipment retail).

Market Size

₹150–250 crore addressable market in India by 2028 (450+ affluent metro households willing to pay ₹50,000–100,000/year for memberships; squash equipment and coaching add ₹50–75 crore annually)

Business Model

Develop branded squash court franchises (4–6 courts per location) in Tier-1 cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad). Operate hybrid revenue: court memberships, coaching by certified trainers, equipment retail, and corporate team-building packages. Franchise to local sports entrepreneurs with turnkey setup and WPS alignment for credibility.

Court memberships: ₹3–5 lakh/member/year × 200 members per facility = ₹60–100 lakh/yearCoaching and clinics: ₹200–400/hour × 50 hours/week = ₹50–100 lakh/yearEquipment and apparel retail: ₹15–25 lakh/year margin on imported rackets, balls, shoes

Your 30-Day Action Plan

week 1

Confirm Ghosal's official WPS India ambassador status and licensing terms; identify 3 partner squash coaches in Delhi/Mumbai with tournament credentials.

week 2

Audit top 10 residential societies and business districts in Delhi-NCR for 2,000–5,000 sqm underutilized sports spaces (gymnasiums, unused clubs) available for lease.

week 3

Get quotes from 2–3 international squash court manufacturers (Dunlop, Prince) for turnkey court setup and import duty analysis; verify GST classification for services vs. goods.

week 4

Draft franchise agreement template (5-year model); schedule calls with 5 high-net-worth sports entrepreneurs to validate pricing and membership appetite in pilot city.

Compliance & Regulatory Angle

Squash courts fall under Sports Infrastructure (GST 5% for court hire; 18% for equipment retail). Franchise agreement must comply with Indian Contract Act 1872 and Franchise Disclosure Document norms (if FDD route chosen). Racket/ball imports via BSF 5% duty. Player safety: comply with Sports Authority of India (SAI) facility standards. Coaching certification via International Squash Federation (ISF) or SAI recognition.

Regulatory References

Goods and Services Tax Act 20175% HSN 9506 (court hire); 18% HSN 9506 (equipment sales)

Core tax compliance for membership and retail revenue; service charges under 5% bracket reduce margin pressure vs. fitness gyms (18% GST in some states)

Sports Authority of India (SAI) Facility StandardsGuideline for Court Design and Maintenance

International squash courts must meet ISF/SAI dimensions and surface standards; non-compliance triggers loss of credibility and WPS partnership eligibility

Indian Contract Act 1872Section 10, 11 (offer and acceptance); Section 65 (contract for services)

Franchise and membership agreements must be ironclad; poor drafting exposes franchisor to disputes with franchisees and members

National Building Code (NBC) 2016Chapter 4 (Fire and Life Safety), Chapter 7 (Sports Facilities)

Court construction must include emergency exits, fire suppression, and structural load specifications; municipal approval gates venue opening

Indian Insurance Act 1938 & Sports Injury CoverageSection 108 (liability insurance)

Mandatory sports accident/liability policy (₹50 crore+ cover) required to shield against player injury claims; cost ~₹3–5 lakh/year

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