The 49th ARC Jersey Squash Festival is one of Jersey’s largest and longest‑running sports tourism events. Over four days, the festival brings high‑level squash, international participation, and significant economic benefit to the island. Matches begin on Thursday evening, with social events including an opening party on Friday night and a closing party on Sunday lunchtime.
Scale & Participation
• 45 teams competing across six divisions
• Players travelling from across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland)
• International entry from Pakistan, bringing 11 players, including former PSA‑level professionals
• Hundreds of matches played across three venues
• Spectators warmly welcomed at St Clements from Thursday evening onwards
Sporting Quality
The festival consistently delivers some of the highest‑standard squash seen in the Channel Islands. The inclusion of ex‑PSA players and strong UK squads ensures fast, professional‑level competition and excellent spectator value.
Economic Impact
The ARC Festival is a major contributor to Jersey’s sports tourism economy.
• Estimated economic impact exceeds £750,000 across accommodation, hospitality, transport, retail, and leisure
• Repeat annual attendance strengthens off‑season visitor numbers
• The festival’s scale demonstrates the value of investing in racket‑sport facilities to support continued growth
Venue Constraints & Loss of Fort Regent
The continued absence of Fort Regent has a significant operational impact on the festival:
• Loss of a multi‑court central hub forces matches to be spread across three separate venues
• Increased travel time for teams and officials
• More complex scheduling and reduced ability to cluster divisions
• Lower spectator density and reduced atmosphere compared to a single‑site venue
• Limits future expansion, international growth, and additional economic benefit
The festival’s success highlights the need for enhanced squash court provision to maintain Jersey’s ability to host large‑scale sports events.
Community & Atmosphere
The festival is known for its friendly, inclusive environment, combining elite sport with strong social engagement. The opening and closing parties contribute to its reputation as one of the most enjoyable squash weekends in the UK calendar.