BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells

The BNP Paribas Open is the biggest sporting event in the Coachella Valley and one of the largest tennis tournaments outside the four Grand Slams, held every March at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells. The 2027 edition runs from February 28 to March 14, 2027, and it brings men's and women's players together for two weeks of qualifying, singles and doubles in a desert setting with palm trees, mountain views and a festival atmosphere around the courts. The grounds include multiple stadiums, practice courts, dining and shopping, and the tournament sells several kinds of ticket. Daily qualifying tickets at $10 cover the first days from February 28 to March 2, which are the cheapest way to see professional tennis here. Opening rounds on March 3 and 4 offer reserved tickets in all three main stadiums. The middle weekend from March 5 to 7 and the second week from March 8 to 11 have day and night single-session tickets for the main stadiums, and the closing days include semifinals on March 12 and 13 and both singles finals on Sunday, March 14.

The choice of ticket shapes the whole experience. A Grounds Pass gives all-day general admission to Stadiums 3 through 9 and the practice courts, plus the dining and shopping areas, and it is the most flexible option for people who want to wander, watch several matches and see players up close at practice. It does not give access to Stadium 1 or Stadium 2, and the tournament says Stadium 1 tickets and Grounds Passes do not provide access to Stadium 2, which requires its own reserved seat.

If you want the biggest matches in the main stadium, buy a session ticket for Stadium 1; every ticket includes general admission to the outer courts. Session tickets for the finals weekend sell fastest, and the Sunday day session covers both singles finals.

Planning around the tournament matters for the whole trip. Hotels in Indian Wells, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Palm Springs fill and rates rise sharply during the two weeks, so book rooms as early as you book tickets. Traffic around the Tennis Garden is heavy on match days and parking is limited, so allow extra time and check the tournament's parking and shuttle guidance.

Bring sunscreen, a hat and a refillable water bottle if allowed, because the sun is strong even in March and shade in the stadiums varies by seat. Evening sessions can be much cooler, so bring a layer. Public sale for 2027 single-session tickets opened in September, so availability for the best sessions may already be limited; check the tournament website for what remains.

This event suits tennis fans, groups of friends and families with older children who can sit through long matches, and it works as a main reason to visit the valley in early spring. It also overlaps with the busy season for the rest of the area, so pair it with a morning at Indian Canyons, a stop on El Paseo in Palm Desert and a good dinner. If tennis is not your thing, consider avoiding the dates altogether, because crowds and prices around Indian Wells will be at their highest.