Watch the world’s top tennis players compete at the largest international tournament outside of the four Grand Slams. Your seat in the state-of-the-art Indian Wells Tennis Garden offers close-up views of the athletes in action, framed by the blush-hued Santa Rosa Mountains glowing in the distance.
What Is the BNP Paribas Open
Every spring, the world’s best players—think Osaka, Gauff, Zverev, and Alcaraz—flock to Greater Palm Springs for the BNP Paribas Open, a 16-day tennis spectacular that pairs elite talent with one of the most scenic venues in the world. Though the tournament’s world-class roster is the main draw, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden elevates the experience even further: The oasis-like town of Indian Wells, just south of Palm Springs, provides warm spring temperatures and resort-style amenities that make attending feel like a true getaway.
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
With a backdrop of the blush-hued Santa Rosa Mountains to the west and comfortably warm springtime temperatures all around, this would make for an enticing destination all on its own. But tournaments at the posh tennis complex, located in the oasis-like town of Indian Wells, just south of Palm Springs, have become must-attend events also for the simple reason that you get so startlingly close to amazing athletes in action. That’s because, in addition to two large, stadium-style courts, there are more than a half-dozen smaller, more intimate courts, plus a multitude of open-to-viewers practice courts, where seats are so close you can see the fuzz fly off the tennis balls, not to mention hear the occasional frustrated murmurs when a linesman makes a questionable call.
How to Get Tickets to the BNP Paribas Open
Tickets range from affordable to splurge-worthy, making the event accessible to casual spectators and superfans alike. A $30–$35 grounds pass (prices vary slightly depending on weekend/weekday, time of purchase, etc.) grants access to outer courts, practice sessions, and the tournament village, while reserved stadium seating typically runs from $45 to $250 or more, depending on the day and session.
Multiday series packages and premium box seats are also available for those who want to follow the action from opening day through the finals. As a bonus for superfans, special autograph signings and events during the tournament let fans—especially kids—connect with the athletes.
For the best availability and pricing, purchase early through the official BNP Paribas Open website or mobile app, which also offers real-time scores, schedules, and player updates.
Where to Eat and Drink While at the BNP Paribas Open
Attendees of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells have a wide range of dining options both inside the venue and nearby. Onsite, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden offers a variety of quick bites and sit-down choices, the most splurge-worthy of which is the Nobu Indian Wells restaurant, located inside Stadium 2.
For those looking to grab a bite outside the venue before or after matches, nearby El Paseo in Palm Desert offers everything from casual American bistros to international cuisines, and Palm Springs, less than 15 miles to the northeast, has many options as well.
Where to Stay During the Paribas BNP Open
If you’re lucky enough to have secured tickets for the tournament, finding a place to stay will be a breeze—within convenient driving distance, there are a variety of lodging options to suit different preferences and budgets. Super close by are several well-known resorts, including The Grand Hyatt Indian Wells, a sprawling resort with its own tennis and pickleball courts—not to mention a massive pool complex ideal for cooling off between matches. Also in Indian Wells are Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa andTommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa.
Nearby Palm Desert and La Quinta expand choices with budget-friendly chains, as well as spots like Hotel Paseo, Desert Breezes Resort, and La Quinta Resort & Club. Many properties offer extended-stay options and flexible check-in/out for tournament schedules. Booking early is recommended, as rooms fill quickly during the tournament period.
What to Do Before and After the BNP Paribas Open
Make the most of your time in Indian Wells with activities both on and off the court. If watching the pros inspires you to improve your own game, head to tennis-friendly resorts such as JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, where both guests and non-guests can book clay or grass courts on a first-come, first-served basis. Another option are the special tennis clinics offered at area resorts such as the aforementioned La Quinta Resort Tennis Club or Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, where you can sign up for morning clinics and drills, or join the pay-as-you-go adult tennis camp.
When you’re ready for a break from tennis, grab a classic date shake at Shields Date Garden, then wander among the palms before taking a scenic drive to the northern edge of the Salton Sea, a vast inland lake created by a 1905 Colorado River flood. Bring binoculars: the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, 40 miles south, is a bird-watcher’s haven, home to white pelicans, yellow-footed gulls, and burrowing owls.