Everything you need to know about the WSF World Doubles Championships

Manchester will next week play host to one of the year’s most frantic, exciting sporting events – the WSF World Doubles Championships.

The tournament pits four of the world’s finest squash players on court at once to produce double the action and double the entertainment value.

This year’s tournament is being jointly hosted by England Squash in conjunction with Scottish Squash right here in Manchester.

Here, we outline everything you need to know about the event – from who’s playing to where you can get a drink.

What is the WSF World Doubles Championships?

The Championships brings together pairings from top nations around the world across three categories – men’s, women’s and mixed doubles. This year, the event holds special significance as it begins the preparations for next year’s Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, in Australia.

When are the championships?

1 to 5 August. Play will begin at 11am and finish at around 9pm each day.

Where are they?

The National Squash Centre, Rowsley Street, Manchester M11 3FF.

How can I get there?

By car: Drivers will be able to park in Car Parks G and H, which are located off Alan Turing Way, opposite the Regional Tennis Centre. The National Squash Centre is just a short walk over the bridge towards Etihad Stadium, on the right-hand side.

By tram: Trams on lines B and E will stop at Etihad Campus, which is located next to the National Squash Centre. Trams run from Manchester Piccadilly train station on this line.

By bus: The 216 bus runs between the city centre and Etihad Campus.

Which countries are playing?

Eleven nations are competing in total at this year’s event. They include Australia, Canada, Columbia, England, India, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, South Africa and Norway.

Who are the players to look out for?

The World Doubles will showcase some of the sport’s greatest players, including a surprise appearance from Australian David Palmer, winner of two world titles, four British Open titles and two gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – both in doubles. Eight-time world champion Nicol David, crowd-pleasing New Zealand ‘Superman’ Paul Coll and Scotland’s defending men’s champions Alan Clyne and Greg Lobban are also set to feature.

England has put forward a 10-strong team including former world champion Laura Massaro, ex-World No.1 James Willstrop and British Open finalists Jenny Duncalf and Sarah-Jane Perry. World No.12 Daryl Selby, England Academy player Declan James, four-time British National champion Alison Waters, Tom Richards, Adrian Waller and Victoria Lust complete the squad.

How does the tournament work?

Each of the 11 nations can enter up to two pairs per draw. The pairs are split into four pools, with the top two pairings from each pool advancing to knockout stages. You can view the full draws and schedules here.

Where can I get tickets?

Tickets are available to buy on the door at the National Squash Centre. Adult day tickets cost £10 with children’s tickets costing £5.

Will there be food and drink?

The cafe and bar will be open, serving hot drinks and food, cold drinks and alcohol.

Can I watch the event online?

Every match will be streamed live via the England Squash YouTube channel through the website and be viewed here.

Draws

Men's

Pool A: [1] Alan Clyne & Greg Lobban (SCO), [8] Nafiizwan Adnan & Ivan Yuen (MAS), [9] Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu & Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND); [13/16] Dylan Bennett & Piedro Schweertman (NED)

Pool B: [2] Ryan Cuskelly & Cameron Pilley (AUS); [7] Peter Creed & Joel Makin (WAL), [10] Evan Williams & Lance Beddoes (NZL); [13/16] Christo Potgieter & Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA)

Pool C: [3] Zac Alexander & David Palmer (AUS); [6] Tom Richards & Daryl Selby (ENG); [11] Andrés Herrera & Juan Camilo Vargas (COL); [13/16] Mohd Syafiq Kamal & Eain Yow Ng (MAS)

Pool D: [4] Paul Coll & Campbell Grayson (NZL); [5] Declan James & James Willstrop (ENG); [12] Douglas Kempsell & Kevin Moran (SCO); [13/16] David Baillargeon & Shawn Delierre (CAN)

Women's

Pool A: [1] Joelle King & Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL); [8] Samantha Cornett & Nikki Todd (CAN); [9] Natalie Grinham & Milou van der Heijden (NED)

Pool B: [2] Joshna Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal (IND); [7] Tesni Evans & Deon Saffery (WAL); [10] Catalina Pelaez & Laura Tovar (COL)

Pool C: [3] Rachael Grinham & Donna Urquhart (AUS); [6] Rachel Arnold & Nicol David (MAS); [11] Sarah Cardwell & Tamika Saxby (AUS)

Pool D: [4] Laura Massaro & Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG); [5] Jenny Duncalf & Alison Waters (ENG); [12] Lisa Aitken & Carrie Hallam (SCO); [13] Cheyna Tucker & Alexandra Fuller (RSA)

Mixed

Pool A: [1] Joelle King & Paul Coll (NZL); [8] Victoria Lust & Adrian Waller (ENG); [9] Deon Saffery & Joel Makin (WAL); [13/16] Lisa Aitken & Douglas Kempsell (SCO); [17/20] Milnay Louw & Christo Potgieter (RSA)

Pool B: [2] Dipika Pallikal & Saurav Ghosal (IND); [7] Tesni Evans & Peter Creed (WAL); [10] Samantha Cornett & Shawn Delierre (CAN); [13/16] Rachel Arnold & Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS); [17/20] Milou van der Heijden & Dylan Bennett (NED)

Pool C: [3] Donna Urquhart & Cameron Pilley (AUS); [6] Joshna Chinappa & Vikram Malhotra (IND); [11] Amanda Landers-Murphy & Zac Millar (NZL); [13/16] Catalina Pelaez & Andrés Herrera (COL); [17/20] Carrie Hallam & Chris Leiper (SCO)

Pool D: [4] Rachael Grinham & David Palmer (AUS); [5] Alison Waters & Daryl Selby (ENG); [12] Natalie Grinham & Piedro Schweertman (NED); [13/16] Nikki Todd & David Baillargeon (CAN); [17/20] Laura Tovar & Juan Camilo Vargas (COL)