4 min read
I could hardly believe my luck as I pranced through the front gates of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden during the championship weekend of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open. I’m a tennis fanatic who’s practically glued to the television during the summer to watch every point of Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. (Moira Rose’s favorite season is awards, and mine is the Grand Slams.) The Tennis Channel, however, was as close as I’d ever gotten to the greats—until this spring. I finally sat courtside for the men’s semifinal double feature: Jannik Sinner vs. Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz vs. Daniil Medvedev.
The BNP Paribas Open is often called the unofficial fifth major, with top ATP and WTA players showing out for this world-class event in Indian Wells, California. The action unfolds across two weeks every March, offering not only fantastic tennis but also a sunny escape from winter weather elsewhere in the country. I was hosted by the BMW Palm Springs Rudd Rally, an exhilarating three-day experience of sports cars and premier hospitality that culminated in Tennis Paradise.
And it’s a paradise, indeed. The Tennis Garden is a lush Coachella Valley oasis, with the Santa Rosa Mountains spectating in the distance. An excitement buzzed through the grounds as fans shopped and dined to the soundtrack of live music between matches. Here, how I would spend a perfect day at the BNP Paribas Open.
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I Buy a Daily Double Ticket.
Ticket packages start going on sale in early summer, but check BNP Paribas Open’s website or sign up for their newsletter for specific dates. If I were attending the tournament for only one day, I would spring for a Daily Double ticket, which includes a reserved seat in Stadium One for the day and night sessions. Fans with this ticket can also access non-reserved seats on Stadiums 3–9 and can explore the Tennis Garden between matches. Single-session tickets typically go on sale around the U.S. Open (late August to early September).
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I Dress for the Desert.
My winter blues vanished in Indian Wells’s warmth and sunshine, but sweat and sunburn soon followed. Most seats in the stadiums do not have shade coverage, so plan to be sitting in full sun. During the day, ladies wore breathable sundresses and sandals or tennis skirts and sneakers while gentlemen wore golf polos, shorts, and sneakers. Hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses are a must-pack. I bought a baseball cap while I was there, but next time I’d pack my wide-brimmed straw hat. Temps cool off for the night sessions, so pack a sweater or light jacket.
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I Bring My Grand Slam Etiquette.
The BNP Paribas Open isn’t technically a major, but Grand Slam manners still apply. By no means is the atmosphere stuffy, but respect for the players comes first. Wait to take a bathroom break or run to the concession stand during changeovers (every two games when the players switch sides of the court). I silenced my phone and turned the flash off my camera (so I could snap photos of Carlitos’s serve without distracting him). The crowd stays quiet during the point and then erupts into cheers as soon as it ends.
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I Explore the Tennis Garden Between Matches.
First things first: Merch. The official Tennis Paradise Store is chock-full of swag and souvenirs, while the Lululemon and Tennis Warehouse shops offer exclusive branded tennis apparel and gear. (You’ll want to browse all three.)
The Garden offers a range of concession options, from sit-down restaurants and bars to grab-and-go stadium classics. Fans with any daily ticket, for instance, can have lunch at Nobu (they’re first come, first served) and enjoy their sushi with a side of tennis playing out below in Stadium Two. A park area offers a spot for shady, family-friendly picnics (it’s also close to the band playing on the Village Stage). Other spectators grabbed Adirondack chairs in front of giant big-screen televisions screening the action inside Stadium One. There was something to satisfy fans of all ages.
The garden editor in me would be remiss not to mention the gorgeous flowers throughout the grounds. I left with a camera roll full of planting inspiration for my pots back home. For example, the oh-so Palm Springs color combination of scarlet geraniums and magenta pansies was so happy!
What’s a tennis tournament without a signature drink? To Wimbledon’s Pimm’s Cup and the U.S. Open’s Honey Deuce, Tennis Paradise raises its Drop Shot, a refreshing pineapple twist mixed with tequila.
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And Don’t Sleep On the Practice Courts!
Check the practice schedule for a chance to see more players who aren’t on the day’s draw. I hopped over in time to catch Aryna Sabalenka prepping for the finals. Many fans camp out by the player lawn to grab an autograph or a selfie.
Grace Haynes Wall is the Senior Home & Garden Editor for VERANDA, where she manages the brand’s home and garden coverage. She also writes and edits stories across print and digital platforms, ranging in topics from design and decorative arts to flower arranging, entertaining, travel, and more. Additionally, she leads the World’s Most Beautiful Shops and World’s Most Beautiful Gardens franchises. Prior to joining VERANDA, Grace built her background in home and garden content as an editor at Southern Living. She most enjoys reading and sharing stories that bring interiors and landscapes to life.