In 2022 the Nick Matthew Steel City Open Challenger will finally be held for the first time in racketlon history.
The tournament, hosted by three-time PSA World Champion Nick Matthew – who is also competing in the tournament – will take place at Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club in Sheffield, United Kingdom.
After initially being postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID, the tournament will finally take place on April 15-17.
“I’ve heard great things about the Racketlon community and look forward to hosting them in Sheffield”
‘Racketlon has been something that has been on my radar for a number of years and something that I’ve always been keen to have a go at. With retirement, I now have that opportunity, not only to compete but to host an event as well. Hallamshire has been my home club for 30 years and a perfect venue for such an event. I’ve heard great things about the Racketlon community and look forward to hosting them in Sheffield. Time to dust off my old Tennis & Badminton rackets!’
Nick Matthew OBE, 3 x World Squash Champion
Tournament Entry
Online entries for this tournament will open at 18.30 GMT / 19:30 CET time on Tuesday, January 25. We originally reached capacity after only 15 mins of the entries being open! So please make sure you have an FIR License for 2022 and are ready to enter as soon as online entries open.
Get your FIR License here.
Online Entries here.
Draws & Match Schedule
All draws and the time schedule for the tournament will be published here on Monday 11th April
COVID 19
The tournament will follow all FIR & local Covid-19 Health guidelines which will be sent to all players in advance of the tournament. It is essential that all players understand and respect these guidelines
It is the player’s responsibility to understand all Covid travel restrictions when travelling to and from the UK from their country.
Venue Information
Home to the Nick Matthew Squash Academy, Hallamshire is one of the most famous squash clubs in the country with 9 courts, extensive seating and viewing areas. It also boasts fantastic tennis facilities with 8 outdoor and 4 indoor hard courts.
Badminton mats are being supplied especially for the tournament by Badminton England, with Table Tennis and Badminton housed in the indoor tennis centre.
Physio / Massage and stringing service (tennis and squash only) will be available to players throughout the tournament.
With a good bar and restaurant at the heart of the club overlooking the tennis courts, all players will be well looked after at this fantastic new venue for the Racketlon World Tour.
Hallamshire Tennis & Squash Club
716 Ecclesall Rd
Sheffield S11 8TA
United Kingdom
Schedule
All the times below are approximate. A full, detailed match schedule will be published in the week leading up to the tournament.
Thurs 14th April
Practice courts are available to players on a first come first served basis from 19.30 onwards
Players + friends and family are all invited to enjoy a meal and some drinks in the Hallamshire club bar and restaurant on Thurs evening.
Friday 15th April
08.30: Doubles categories to start.
16.00: First rounds of some of the biggest open singles classes may begin (usually Men A, B, C).
20.00 – 22.30: Evening Meal (details to come later).
Saturday 16th April
08.30: All age group singles start (junior and senior) and all open singles start or continue.
20.00 until midnight: Meal & Entertainment at the Hallamshire Club.
Sunday 17th April
08.30: All singles categories continue.
16.30: Prize giving ceremony.
Accommodation Details
Halifax Hall
Endcliffe Vale Road
Sheffield S10 3ER
www.halifaxhall.co.uk
Very nice, 4-star boutique hotel, only 12 mins walk to the club (pic below).
Best prices by booking early and through www.booking.com: approx. £90 per night for a twin/double w/breakfast.
Jonas Hotel
The Endcliffe Village
Endcliffe Crescent
Sheffield
S10 3ER
www.jonashotel.co.uk
2/3 star hotel: modern, university-style en suite rooms, 12 mins walk to the club.
Best prices by booking early and through www.booking.com: approx. £55 – £60 per night for a double w/ free coffee/tea & pastry for breakfast.
Or mail them directly: hello@jonashotel.co.uk.
Travel
Manchester and Birmingham airports and then a regional train to Sheffield are probably the best options for international players…but it is also possible to fly into London airports and get a direct train to Sheffield from London’s Kings Cross or St Pancras stations. The train takes approximately 2 hours to Sheffield and tickets cost between 20 to 35 euros one way if they are booked in advance. Train tickets in the UK are much more expensive when bought on the day of travel.
If you want to enter the Nick Matthew Steel City Open Challenger then you can do it here. A reminder that entries open at 18:30 GMT / 19:30 CET on Tuesday, January 25. The tournament is expected to reach capacity quickly so if you are interested then we would recommend entering as soon as possible.
More information about the Nick Matthew Steel City Open Racketlon Challenger is available here.
The rest of the 2022 FIR World Tour and Challengers are available to view here, with a handful of other tournaments open for entry.
Sam Barker / FIR Media Officer
