Isaac Theatre Royal's NZ Squash Open hosting secures NZEA Award

Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal has been recognised with the Venue of the Year 2025 title at this week’s New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) Awards, achieving recognition for its highly original staging of the 2025 New Zealand Squash Open.

The accolade reflects the venue’s success in reimagining its historic setting as a stage for elite sport, an initiative that captured the imagination of both the sporting and arts sectors.

The landmark tournament, held from 4th to 9th March this year, marked the first time a professional squash event had ever been played inside a New Zealand theatre. A state-of-the-art glass court was installed on the main stage, placing high-intensity sporting action beneath the theatre’s ornate chandelier and in front of 1,200 fans who filled the auditorium. The transformation created a dramatic spectacle in which elite players, including New Zealand’s own Paul Coll, competed in an atmosphere unlike any other in the sport’s history.

The innovative move was met with widespread acclaim, with players, fans and industry observers hailing it as a ground-breaking moment for squash in New Zealand. Beyond sport, the event resonated as a cultural milestone, demonstrating how performance spaces can be reimagined to host diverse forms of live entertainment and community engagement. The blending of tradition and innovation - combining the grandeur of a heritage theatre with the intensity of elite competition - was described by many as a "game-changer” for both the sport and the venue.

Greg Ward, Chief Executive of the Isaac Theatre Royal, described the staging of the event as a defining moment for the theatre, commenting "this was an extraordinary coming together of sport, innovation and history.

"The energy inside the theatre was electric, and the feedback has been overwhelming. This was just the beginning - we’re already looking forward to what’s next.”

His comments reflect a sense that the Open had set a new benchmark for how squash, and potentially other sports, can be showcased in unique and engaging environments.

With record-breaking crowds and a strong sense of momentum, organisers have confirmed that the 2026 New Zealand Squash Open will return to the Isaac Theatre Royal, further cementing the venue’s reputation as a versatile and imaginative host.