# British Open Squash Championships

The British Open Squash Championships is the oldest 'open' tournament in the game of squash (open to both professional and amateur players). It is widely considered to be one of the two most prestigious tournaments in the game, alongside the World Squash Championships.
Until the establishment of the World Squash Championships (which was originally called the World Open) in 1976, the British Open was considered to be the de facto world championship of the sport.
The British Open Squash Championships are often referred to as the "Wimbledon of Squash".

## History

While there had been a professional men's championship for some years, the 'open' men's championship (for both professionals and amateurs) was not inaugurated until 1930.
Charles Read, British professional champion for many years, was designated the first open title holder. Would-be challengers were required to demonstrate they were capable of mounting a competent challenge, as well as guaranteeing a minimum 'purse' (prize money) of £100 (which comprised gate-takings and players' 'subscriptions'). Read subsequently played the first final as the 'defending champion' against challenger Don Butcher in December 1930, but lost in home and away legs. The men's Championship maintained this 'challenge' system format until 1947, replacing it with the current 'knockout' system in 1948.
The women's championships commenced in 1922 as an amateur event, and remained so until 1974. In the inaugural event, Joyce Cave defeated her sister Nancy Cave in the final.
Both Championships have been played continuously since inception, with the exception of the men's championship in 1934 (when no challenger to F. D. Amr Bey entered), and both championships during World War II, and in 2010 and 2011 due to lack of sponsorship. The men's and women's events were originally held separately, but have been held as a joint event since 1983.
The most successful players in the history of the championships are Australian Heather McKay (née Blundell), who won the women's event 16 consecutive times from 1962 to 1977, and Pakistani Jahangir Khan, who won the men's title 10 consecutive times from 1982 to 1991.

## Venues

The event has been held at various venues since the challenge system ended in 1947.
* 1948–1960: Lansdowne Club, London
* 1961–1962: Royal Automobile Club, London
* 1963–1968: Lansdowne Club and Royal Aero Club, London
* 1969, 1970–1974: Abbeydale Park, Sheffield
* 1970–1971: Edgbaston Priory, Birmingham
* 1975–1980+ Wembley Squash Centre, London
* 1980+, 1984–1994: Wembley Conference Centre
* 1981–1982: Churchill Theatre, Bromley
* 1983: Assembly Rooms, Derby
* 1984–1994: Wembley Conference Centre, London
* 1995–1996: Cardiff International Arena, Wales
* 1997: Wales National Ice Rink, Cardiff, Wales
* 1998, 2000, 2001: National Indoor Arena, Birmingham
* 1999: Aberdeen Squash Rackets Club and Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, Aberdeen, Scotland
* 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009: National Squash Centre, Manchester
* 2003–2004: Albert Hall, Nottingham
* 2006: University of Nottingham, Nottingham
* 2008: Echo Arena, Liverpool
* 2012: The O2, London
* 2013: KC Stadium, Hull
* 2014–2022: Airco Arena, Hull
* 2023–present: Edgbaston Priory Club and Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham
+ later rounds held at Conference Centre

## Decline

After being staged at the Wembley Conference Centre for 10 years until 1994 with some capacity crowds, the event began to move around Britain with eight different venues over the next 17 years – only twice staying in the same venue for consecutive years.
The competition suffered much uncertainty as it continued to move around the country. In 1999, the event was nearly dropped due to lack of sponsorship, but was saved by a last-minute deal. Promoter Alan Thatcher took the event to Aberdeen in conjunction with the newly-formed Eye Group. A crowd of 1,600 witnessed an astonishing final at Aberdeen Exhibition Centre, where local hero Peter Nicol collapsed at courtside with the score one game all against his great rival Jonathon Power and was rushed to hospital suffering from food poisoning. A deal with Sky Sports was signed in 2000 to cover the event saw record prize money of £110,000 but by the following year it had moved again to Birmingham's National Indoor Arena.
Long term deals were agreed, but subsequently terminated early casting doubts over the staging of the event. A seven-year deal to play at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham from 2000 was terminated after two. Fablon Investments cash injection over eight years was pulled in 2002 after less than two years. Promoters John Beddington and John Nimmick moved the Open to Nottingham but they ended their involvement in 2005, again after two years.
Shorter term agreements also began falling through, the Royal Horticultural Halls in London was announced as the venue for the 2005 British Open, but that agreement ended up scrapped with Manchester stepping in to host. Dunlop pulled out of their sponsorship in 2008, but the competition staggered on. The 2010 event was postponed as organisers tried to get the event moved back to London, but by the time the £200,000 headline sponsor withdrew their support the 2011 competition was also cancelled.
In May 2012, the competition returned with England Squash holding the British Open at The O2 with a new sponsor secured

## Men's championship

| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
| 1929 | Charles Read | Appointed champion | Appointed champion |
| 1930 | Don Butcher | Charles Read | 9–6, 9–5, 9–5 and 9–3, 9–5, 9–3 |
| 1931 | Don Butcher | Charles Arnold | 9–0, 9–0, 9–0 and 9–3, 9–0, 9–5 |
| 1932 | F.D. Amr Bey | Don Butcher | 9–0, 9–7, 9–1 and 5–9, 5–9, 9–2, 9–1, 9–0 |
| 1933 | F.D. Amr Bey | No challenger entered | No challenger entered |
| 1934 | F.D. Amr Bey | Don Butcher | 9–4, 8–10, 10–8, 9–0 and 9–6, 6–9, 9–2, 0–9, 9–5 |
| 1935 | F.D. Amr Bey | Jim Dear | 9–3, 6–9, 8–10, 9–2, 9–4 and 9–4, 9–7, 3–9, 9–7 |
| 1936 | F.D. Amr Bey | Jim Dear | 9–7, 7–9, 9–7, 5–9, 9–6 and 9–7, 8–10, 9–1, 9–6 |
| 1937 | F.D. Amr Bey | Jim Dear | 10–8, 10–8, 4–9, 1–9, 9–4 and 9–7, 8–10, 9–6, 9–5 |
| 1938 | Jim Dear | Bert Biddle | 5–9, 9–6, 5–9, 9–6, 9–5 and 6–9, 9–1, 9–2, 9–6 |
| 1939 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1940 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1941 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1942 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1943 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1944 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1945 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1946 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1947 | Mahmoud Karim | Jim Dear | 9–4, 9–1, 9–3 and 5–9, 7–9, 9–8, 9–7, 9–4 |
| 1948 | Mahmoud Karim | Jim Dear | 9–5, 9–3, 5–9, 1–9, 10–8 |
| 1949 | Mahmoud Karim | Brian Phillips | 9–4, 9–2, 9–10, 9–4 |
| 1950 | Mahmoud Karim | Abdul Bari | 9–4, 9–2, 9–7 |
| 1951 | Hashim Khan | Mahmoud Karim | 9–5, 9–0, 9–0 |
| 1952 | Hashim Khan | Mahmoud Karim | 9–5, 9–7, 9–0 |
| 1953 | Hashim Khan | Roy Wilson | 9–2, 8–10, 9–1, 9–0 |
| 1954 | Hashim Khan | Azam Khan | 6–9, 9–6, 9–6, 7–9, 9–5 |
| 1955 | Hashim Khan | Azam Khan | 9–7, 7–9, 9–7, 5–9, 9–7 |
| 1956 | Hashim Khan | Roshan Khan | 9–4, 9–2, 5–9, 9–5 |
| 1957 | Roshan Khan | Hashim Khan | 6–9, 9–5, 9–2, 9–1 |
| 1958 | Hashim Khan | Azam Khan | 9–7, 6–9, 9–6, 9–7 |
| 1959 | Azam Khan | Mo Khan | 9–5, 9–0, 9–1 |
| 1960 | Azam Khan | Roshan Khan | 9–1, 9–0, 9–0 |
| 1961 | Azam Khan | Mo Khan | 6–9, 9–1, 9–4, 0–9, 9–2 |
| 1962 | Azam Khan | Mo Khan | 9–6, 7–9, 10–8, 2–9, 9–4 |
| 1963 | Mo Khan | A.A. AbouTaleb | 9–4, 5–9, 3–9, 10–8, 9–6 |
| 1964 | A.A. AbouTaleb | Mike Oddy | 9–3, 9–7, 9–0 |
| 1965 | A.A. AbouTaleb | Ibrahim Amin | 9–0, 0–9, 9–1, 9–6 |
| 1966 | A.A. AbouTaleb | Aftab Jawaid | 9–6, 5–9, 9–3, 9–1 |
| 1967 | Jonah Barrington | Aftab Jawaid | 9–2, 5–9, 9–2, 9–2 |
| 1968 | Jonah Barrington | A.A. AbouTaleb | 9–6, 9–0, 9–5 |
| 1969 | Geoff Hunt | Cam Nancarrow | 9–5, 9–4, 9–0 |
| 1970 | Jonah Barrington | Geoff Hunt | 9–7, 3–9, 9–4, 9–4 |
| 1971 | Jonah Barrington | Aftab Jawaid | 9–1, 9–2, 9–6 |
| 1972 | Jonah Barrington | Geoff Hunt | 0–9, 9–7, 10–8, 6–9, 9–7 |
| 1973 | Jonah Barrington | Gogi Alauddin | 9–4, 9–3, 9–2 |
| 1974 | Geoff Hunt | Mo Yasin | Walkover |
| 1975 | Qamar Zaman | Gogi Alauddin | 9–7, 9–6, 9–1 |
| 1976 | Geoff Hunt | Mohibullah Khan | 7–9, 9–4, 8–10, 9–2, 9–2 |
| 1977 | Geoff Hunt | Cam Nancarrow | 9–4, 9–4, 8–10, 9–4 |
| 1978 | Geoff Hunt | Qamar Zaman | 7–9, 9–1, 9–1, 9–2 |
| 1979 | Geoff Hunt | Qamar Zaman | 2–9, 9–7, 9–0, 6–9, 9–3 |
| 1980 | Geoff Hunt | Qamar Zaman | 9–3, 9–2, 1–9, 9–1 |
| 1981 | Geoff Hunt | Jahangir Khan | 9–2, 9–7, 5–9, 9–7 |
| 1982 | Jahangir Khan | Hiddy Jahan | 9–2, 10–9, 9–3 |
| 1983 | Jahangir Khan | Gamal Awad | 9–2, 9–5, 9–1 |
| 1984 | Jahangir Khan | Qamar Zaman | 9–0, 9–3, 9–5 |
| 1985 | Jahangir Khan | Chris Dittmar | 9–3, 9–2, 9–5 |
| 1986 | Jahangir Khan | Ross Norman | 9–6, 9–4, 9–6 |
| 1987 | Jahangir Khan | Jansher Khan | 9–6, 9–0, 9–5 |
| 1988 | Jahangir Khan | Rodney Martin | 9–2, 9–10, 9–0, 9–1 |
| 1989 | Jahangir Khan | Rodney Martin | 9–2, 3–9, 9–5, 0–9, 9–2 |
| 1990 | Jahangir Khan | Rodney Martin | 9–6, 10–8, 9–1 |
| 1991 | Jahangir Khan | Jansher Khan | 2–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–0 |
| 1992 | Jansher Khan | Chris Robertson | 9–7, 10–9, 9–5 |
| 1993 | Jansher Khan | Chris Dittmar | 9–6, 9–5, 6–9, 9–2 |
| 1994 | Jansher Khan | Brett Martin | 9–1, 9–0, 9–10, 9–1 |
| 1995 | Jansher Khan | Peter Marshall | 15–4, 15–4, 15–5 |
| 1996 | Jansher Khan | Rodney Eyles | 15–13, 15–8, 15–10 |
| 1997 | Jansher Khan | Peter Nicol | 17–15, 9–15, 15–12, 8–15, 15–8 |
| 1998 | Peter Nicol | Jansher Khan | 17–16, 15–4, 15–5 |
| 1999 | Jonathon Power | Peter Nicol | 15–17, 15–12, rtd |
| 2000 | David Evans | Paul Price | 15–11, 15–6, 15–10 |
| 2001 | David Palmer | Chris Walker | 12–15, 13–15, 15–2, 15–9, 15–5 |
| 2002 | Peter Nicol | John White | 15–9, 15–8, 15–8 |
| 2003 | David Palmer | Peter Nicol | 15–13, 15–13, 15–8 |
| 2004 | David Palmer | Amr Shabana | 10–11 (4–6), 11–7, 11–10 (3–1), 11–7 |
| 2005 | Anthony Ricketts | James Willstrop | 11–7, 11–9, 11–7 |
| 2006 | Nick Matthew | Thierry Lincou | 11–8, 5–11, 11–4, 9–11, 11–6 |
| 2007 | Grégory Gaultier | Thierry Lincou | 11–4, 10–11 (0–2), 11–6, 11–3 |
| 2008 | David Palmer | James Willstrop | 11–9, 11–9, 8–11, 6–11, 11–10 (3–1) |
| 2009 | Nick Matthew | James Willstrop | 8–11, 11–8, 7–11, 11–3, 12–10 |
| 2010 | No competition | No competition | No competition |
| 2011 | No competition | No competition | No competition |
| 2012 | Nick Matthew | Ramy Ashour | 11–9, 11–4, 11–8 |
| 2013 | Ramy Ashour | Grégory Gaultier | 7–11, 11–4, 11–7, 11–8 |
| 2014 | Grégory Gaultier | Nick Matthew | 11–3, 11–6, 11–2 |
| 2015 | Mohamed El Shorbagy | Grégory Gaultier | 11–9, 6–11, 5–11, 11–8, 11–5 |
| 2016 | Mohamed El Shorbagy | Ramy Ashour | 11–2, 11–5, 11–9 |
| 2017 | Grégory Gaultier | Nick Matthew | 8–11, 11–7, 11–3, 11–3 |
| 2018 | Miguel Ángel Rodríguez | Mohamed El Shorbagy | 11–7, 6–11, 8–11, 11–2, 11–9 |
| 2019 | Mohamed El Shorbagy | Ali Farag | 11–9, 5–11, 11–5, 11–9 |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom |
| 2021 | Paul Coll | Ali Farag | 6–11, 11–6, 11–6, 11–8 |
| 2022 | Paul Coll | Ali Farag | 12–10, 11–6, 11–4 |
| 2023 | Ali Farag | Diego Elías | 13–11, 5-11, 11–8, 11–9 |
| 2024 | Mostafa Asal | Ali Farag | 11–5, 2–11, 13–11, 4–11, 12–10 |
Note:
1) From 1931 to 1947, the men's championship was decided by a best-of-three-matches contest between the defending champion and a single challenger (the third match was never required, as the ultimate champion won the first two matches on each of the occasions in which the final was played with this format). The championship has been played using a 'knockout' format since 1948.
2) Peter Nicol changed his nationality in 2001.

### List of British Open Men's champions by number of victories

| Rank | Player Name | No. of Titles | Runner-up | Final Appearances |
| 1 | Jahangir Khan | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| 2 | Geoff Hunt | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | Hashim Khan | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| 4 | Jansher Khan | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| 5 | Jonah Barrington | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 | F.D. Amr Bey | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 7 | Azam Khan | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 8 | Mahmoud Karim | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 9 | David Palmer | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 | A.A. AbouTaleb | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 10 | Nick Matthew | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 10 | Grégory Gaultier | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 13 | Mohamed El Shorbagy | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 14 | / Peter Nicol | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 15 | Don Butcher | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 16 | Paul Coll | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 17 | Jim Dear | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| 18 | Qamar Zaman | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 19 | Mo Khan | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 19 | Ali Farag | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 19 | Ramy Ashour | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 19 | Roshan Khan | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 19 | Charles Read | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 24 | David Evans | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 24 | Jonathon Power | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 24 | Anthony Ricketts | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 24 | Miguel Ángel Rodríguez | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 24 | Mostafa Asal | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 29 | Aftab Jawaid | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 29 | Rodney Martin | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 29 | James Willstrop | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 32 | Gogi Alauddin | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 32 | Chris Dittmar | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 32 | Thierry Lincou | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 32 | Cam Nancarrow | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 36 | Ibrahim Amin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Charles Arnold | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Gamal Awad | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Abdul Bari | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Bert Biddle | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Diego Elías | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Rodney Eyles | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Hiddy Jahan | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Mohibullah Khan | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Ross Norman | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Brett Martin | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Peter Marshall | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Mike Oddy | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Brian Phillips | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Paul Price | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Chris Robertson | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Amr Shabana | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Chris Walker | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | John White | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Roy Wilson | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 36 | Mo Yasin | 0 | 1 | 1 |

### Men's champions by country

| Champions | Champions | Runner-up | Runner-up |
| Pakistan | 30 | Pakistan | 25 |
| Egypt | 19 | England | 20 |
| Australia | 13 | Egypt | 14 |
| England | 8 | Australia | 13 |
| Ireland | 6 | France | 4 |
| France | 3 | Scotland | 4 |
| New Zealand | 2 | India | 1 |
| Scotland | 1 | New Zealand | 1 |
| Wales | 1 | Peru | 1 |
| Colombia | 1 | | |
| Canada | 1 | |

## Women's championship

| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
| 1922 | Joyce Cave | Nancy Cave | 11–15, 15–10, 15–9 |
| 1923 | Silvia Huntsman | Nancy Cave | 6–15, 15–9, 17–15 |
| 1924 | Nancy Cave | Joyce Cave | 15–8, 15–13 |
| 1925 | Joyce Cave | Nancy Cave | 15–3, 6–15, 16–13 |
| 1926 | Cecily Fenwick | Nancy Cave | 15–12, 15–11 |
| 1927 | Cecily Fenwick | Nancy Cave | 4–9, 9–6, 9–2, 9–5 |
| 1928 | Joyce Cave | Cecily Fenwick | 4–9, 9–5, 10–9, 9–6 |
| 1929 | Nancy Cave | Joyce Cave | 9–6, 3–9, 9–2, 3–9, 9–6 |
| 1930 | Nancy Cave | Cecily Fenwick | 10–8, 9–1, 7–9, 9–5 |
| 1931 | Cecily Fenwick | Nancy Cave | 9–7, 10–8, 9–10, 9–1 |
| 1932 | Susan Noel | Joyce Cave | 9–5, 9–7, 9–1 |
| 1933 | Susan Noel | Sheila Keith-Jones | 9–4, 9–0, 9–2 |
| 1934 | Susan Noel | Margot Lumb | 9–7, 9–0, 9–6 |
| 1935 | Margot Lumb | Anne Lytton-Milbanke | 9–4, 9–0, 9–1 |
| 1936 | Margot Lumb | Anne Lytton-Milbanke | 9–5, 9–5, 9–4 |
| 1937 | Margot Lumb | Sheila McKechnie | 9–3, 9–2, 9–0 |
| 1938 | Margot Lumb | Sheila McKechnie | 9–3, 9–2, 9–1 |
| 1939 | Margot Lumb | Susan Noel | 9–6, 9–1, 9–7 |
| 1940 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1941 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1942 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1943 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1944 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1945 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1946 | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) | No competition (World War II) |
| 1947 | Joan Curry | Alice Teague | 9–3, 10–9, 9–5 |
| 1948 | Joan Curry | Janet Morgan | 9–5, 9–0, 9–10, 6–9, 10–8 |
| 1949 | Joan Curry | Janet Morgan | 2–9, 9–3, 10–8, 9–0 |
| 1950 | Janet Morgan | Joan Curry | 9–4, 9–3, 9–0 |
| 1951 | Janet Morgan | Joan Curry | 9–1, 2–9, 9–3, 9–4 |
| 1952 | Janet Morgan | Joan Curry | 9–3, 9–1, 9–5 |
| 1953 | Janet Morgan | Marjorie Townsend | 9–4, 9–2, 9–4 |
| 1954 | Janet Morgan | Sheila Speight | 9–3, 9–1, 9–7 |
| 1955 | Janet Morgan | Ruth Turner | 9–5, 9–3, 9–6 |
| 1956 | Janet Morgan | Sheila Speight | 9–6, 9–4, 9–2 |
| 1957 | Janet Morgan | Sheila Speight | 4–9, 9–5, 9–1, 9–6 |
| 1958 | Janet Morgan | Sheila Macintosh (born Speight) | 9–7, 6–9, 9–6, 9–7 |
| 1959 | Janet Morgan | Sheila Macintosh | 9–4, 9–1, 9–5 |
| 1960 | Sheila Macintosh | Fran Marshall | 4–9, 8–9, 9–5, 9–3, 9–6 |
| 1961 | Fran Marshall | Ruth Turner | 9–3, 9–5, 9–1 |
| 1962 | Heather Blundell | Fran Marshall | 9–6, 9–5, 9–4 |
| 1963 | Heather Blundell | Fran Marshall | 9–4, 9–2, 9–6 |
| 1964 | Heather Blundell | Fran Marshall | 9–2, 9–2, 9–1 |
| 1965 | Heather Blundell | Anna Craven-Smith | 9–0, 9–1, 9–2 |
| 1966 | Heather McKay (born Blundell) | Anna Craven-Smith | 9–0, 9–0, 10–8 |
| 1967 | Heather McKay | Anna Craven-Smith | 9–1, 10–8, 9–6 |
| 1968 | Heather McKay | Bev Johnson | 9–0, 9–0, 9–0 |
| 1969 | Heather McKay | Fran Marshall | 9–2, 9–0, 9–0 |
| 1970 | Heather McKay | Marcia Roche | 9–1, 9–1, 9–0 |
| 1971 | Heather McKay | Jenny Irving | 9–0, 9–3, 9–1 |
| 1972 | Heather McKay | Kathy Malan | 9–1, 9–1, 9–2 |
| 1973 | Heather McKay | Cecile Fleming | 9–1, 9–0, 9–1 |
| 1974 | Heather McKay | Sue Cogswell | 9–2, 9–1, 9–2 |
| 1975 | Heather McKay | Marion Jackman | 9–3, 9–1, 9–5 |
| 1976 | Heather McKay | Sue Newman | 9–2, 9–4, 9–2 |
| 1977 | Heather McKay | Barbara Wall | 9–3, 9–1, 9–2 |
| 1978 | Sue Newman | Vicki Hoffmann | 9–4, 9–7, 9–2 |
| 1979 | Barbara Wall | Sue Cogswell | 8–10, 6–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–3 |
| 1980 | Vicki Hoffmann | Sue Cogswell | 9–5, 9–5, 9–3 |
| 1981 | Vicki Hoffmann | Margaret Zachariah | 9–6, 9–4, 9–0 |
| 1982 | Vicki Cardwell (born Hoffmann) | Lisa Opie | 9–4, 5–9, 9–4, 9–4 |
| 1983 | Vicki Cardwell | Lisa Opie | 9–10, 9–6, 9–4, 9–5 |
| 1984 | Susan Devoy | Lisa Opie | 5–9, 9–0, 9–7, 9–1 |
| 1985 | Susan Devoy | Martine Le Moignan | 9–6, 5–9, 9–6, 9–5 |
| 1986 | Susan Devoy | Lisa Opie | 9–4, 9–2, 9–3 |
| 1987 | Susan Devoy | Lucy Soutter | 2–9, 4–9, 9–4, 9–2, 9–1 |
| 1988 | Susan Devoy | Liz Irving | 9–7, 9–5, 9–1 |
| 1989 | Susan Devoy | Martine Le Moignan | 8–10, 10–8, 9–3, 9–6 |
| 1990 | Susan Devoy | Suzanne Horner | 9–2, 1-9, 9–3, 9–3 |
| 1991 | Lisa Opie | Sue Wright | 6–9, 9–3, 9–3, 9–4 |
| 1992 | Susan Devoy | Martine Le Moignan | 9–3, 9–5, 9–3 |
| 1993 | Michelle Martin | Suzanne Horner | 9–7, 9–0, 9–4 |
| 1994 | Michelle Martin | Liz Irving | 9–1, 9–5, 9–3 |
| 1995 | Michelle Martin | Liz Irving | 9–4, 9–7, 9–5 |
| 1996 | Michelle Martin | Sarah Fitz-Gerald | 1–9, 9–5, 9–1, 9–7 |
| 1997 | Michelle Martin | Sarah Fitz-Gerald | 9–5, 9–10, 9–5, 9–5 |
| 1998 | Michelle Martin | Sarah Fitz-Gerald | 9–4, 9–2, 9–1 |
| 1999 | Leilani Joyce | Cassie Campion | 5–9, 9–6, 9–3, 10–8 |
| 2000 | Leilani Joyce | Sue Wright | 9–7, 9–4, 9–2 |
| 2001 | Sarah Fitz-Gerald | Carol Owens | 10–9, 9–0, 9–2 |
| 2002 | Sarah Fitz-Gerald | Tania Bailey | 9–3, 9–0, 9–0 |
| 2003 | Rachael Grinham | Cassie Campion | 9–3, 7–9, 9–2, 9–5 |
| 2004 | Rachael Grinham | Natalie Grainger | 6–9, 9–5, 9–0, 9–3 |
| 2005 | Nicol David | Natalie Grinham | 9–6, 9–7, 9–6 |
| 2006 | Nicol David | Rachael Grinham | 9–4, 9–1, 9–4 |
| 2007 | Rachael Grinham | Nicol David | 7–9, 4–9, 9–3, 10–8, 9–1 |
| 2008 | Nicol David | Jenny Duncalf | 9–1, 10–8, 9–0 |
| 2009 | Rachael Grinham | Madeline Perry | 11–6, 11–5, 12–10 |
| 2010 | No competition | No competition | No competition |
| 2011 | No competition | No competition | No competition |
| 2012 | Nicol David | Nour El Sherbini | 11-6, 11–6, 11-6 |
| 2013 | Laura Massaro | Nicol David | 11–4, 3–11, 12–10, 11–8 |
| 2014 | Nicol David | Laura Massaro | 8–11, 11–5, 11–7, 11–8 |
| 2015 | Camille Serme | Laura Massaro | 11–3, 11–5, 8–11, 11–8 |
| 2016 | Nour El Sherbini | Nouran Gohar | 11–7, 9–11, 7–11, 11–6, 11–8 |
| 2017 | Laura Massaro | Sarah-Jane Perry | 11–8, 11–8, 6–11, 11–6 |
| 2018 | Nour El Sherbini | Raneem El Weleily | 11–6, 11–9, 14–12 |
| 2019 | Nouran Gohar | Camille Serme | 11–3, 11–8, 11–3 |
| 2020 | Postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom | Postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom | Postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom |
| 2021 | Nour El Sherbini | Nouran Gohar | 9-11, 13-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-2 |
| 2022 | Hania El Hammamy | Nouran Gohar | 11–9, 11–7, 8–11, 11–4 |
| 2023 | Nour El Sherbini | Nouran Gohar | 11–9, 11–7, 11–1 |
| 2024 | Nouran Gohar | Nour El Sherbini | 11–6, 17–15, 3–11, 7–11, 11–4 |

### List of British Open Women's champions by number of victories

| Rank | Player Name | No. of Titles | Runner-up | Final Appearances |
| 1 | Heather McKay | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2 | Janet Morgan | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| 3 | Susan Devoy | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | Michelle Martin | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 | Nicol David | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| 6 | Margot Lumb | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| 7 | Nour El Sherbini | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 7 | Vicki Cardwell | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 7 | Rachael Grinham | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 10 | Nancy Cave | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| 11 | Joyce Cave | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 11 | Joan Curry | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 13 | Cecily Fenwick | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 14 | Susan Noel | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 15 | Nouran Gohar | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 16 | Sarah Fitz-Gerald | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 17 | Laura Massaro | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 18 | Leilani Joyce | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 19 | Sheila Macintosh | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| 19 | Fran Marshall | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| 21 | Lisa Opie | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 22 | Barbara Wall | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 22 | Sue Newman | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 22 | Camille Serme | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 25 | Hania El Hammamy | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 25 | Silvia Huntsman | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 27 | Sheila McKechnie (nee Keith-Jones) | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 27 | Anna Craven-Smith | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 27 | Sue Cogswell | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 27 | Martine Le Moignan | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 27 | Liz Irving | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 32 | Anne Lytton-Milbanke | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 32 | Ruth Turner | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 32 | Suzanne Horner | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 32 | Sue Wright | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 32 | Cassie Campion | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 37 | Raneem El Welily | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Sarah-Jane Perry | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Natalie Grainger | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Madeline Perry | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Alice Teague | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Marjorie Townsend | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Bev Johnson | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Marcia Roche | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Jenny Irving | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Kathy Malan | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Cecile Fleming | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Marion Jackman | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Margaret Zachariah | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Lucy Soutter | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Carol Owens | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Tania Bailey | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Natalie Grinham | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 37 | Jenny Duncalf | 0 | 1 | 1 |

### Women's champions by country

| Champions | Champions | Runner-up | Runner-up |
| England | 36 | England | 62 |
| Australia | 34 | Australia | 16 |
| New Zealand | 10 | Egypt | 7 |
| Egypt | 7 | Malaysia | 2 |
| Malaysia | 5 | South Africa | 2 |
| France | 1 | New Zealand | 1 |
| United States | 0 | United States | 1 |
| South Africa | 0 | France | 1 |
| Ireland | 0 | Ireland | 1 |

## Records

| Record | Player(s) | Count | Winning years |
| Men ||||
| Winner of most Men's titles | Jahangir Khan | 10 | 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 |
| Winner of most consecutive Men's titles | Jahangir Khan | 10 | 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 |
| Women ||||
| Winner of most Women's titles | Heather McKay | 16 | 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 |
| Winner of most consecutive Women's titles | Heather McKay | 16 | 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 |
| Miscellaneous ||||
| Loser of most finals (men) | Jim Dear | 5 | 1936, 1937, 1938, 1947, 1948 |
| Loser of most finals (women) | Nancy Cave | 6 | 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1931 |
| Lowest-ranked winner (men) | Miguel Ángel Rodríguez | 14th | 2018 |
| Lowest-ranked winner (women) | Nouran Gohar | 7th | 2019 |
| Youngest winner (men) | Jahangir Khan | 18 years (& 3 m.) | 1982 |
| Youngest winner (women) | Susan Devoy | 20 years (& 3 m.) | 1984 |
| Oldest winner (men) | Hashim Khan | 44 years | 1958 |
| Oldest winner (women) | Janet Morgan | 38 years | 1959 |