Indian Wells Tennis Tournament Draws Record Crowds in 2026

The BNP Paribas Open in California's Coachella Valley saw its biggest attendance yet, with over 312,000 fans attending the first week.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, one of the largest tennis tournaments in the world, set new attendance records this year. Over 312,000 fans attended the first week of the event, with single-day records of nearly 59,000 on Friday and over 60,000 on Saturday. The tournament's popularity has continued to grow, making it a must-attend event for tennis fans and players alike.

Why it matters

The BNP Paribas Open's record-breaking attendance highlights the growing popularity of tennis, especially among younger generations. As one of the premier events on the ATP and WTA tours, the tournament's ability to draw such large crowds demonstrates the sport's mainstream appeal and the demand for high-level competition.

The details

The 2026 BNP Paribas Open saw unprecedented crowds, with the first week setting a new attendance record of 312,948 fans. This included single-day highs of 58,828 on Friday, March 6, and 60,781 on Saturday, March 7, both new one-day attendance marks for the tournament. The overall weekend attendance from Friday to Sunday reached 176,264, also a new record.

  • The 2026 BNP Paribas Open took place from March 6-22, 2026.
  • The record-breaking single-day attendance numbers were set on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The players

Carlos Alcaraz

A rising Spanish tennis star who has quickly become one of the top players on the ATP Tour.

Novak Djokovic

A Serbian professional tennis player and one of the greatest players of all time, with 22 Grand Slam titles.

Coco Gauff

An American professional tennis player who has emerged as one of the brightest young stars on the WTA Tour.

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What they’re saying

“Tennis is cooler than ever.”

— Lara Parker, Attendee (BuzzFeed)

What’s next

The BNP Paribas Open will look to build on its record-breaking attendance in 2026 as it continues to be one of the premier events on the tennis calendar. Organizers will work to enhance the fan experience and accommodate the growing crowds at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

The takeaway

The BNP Paribas Open's record-breaking attendance in 2026 underscores the growing popularity of tennis, particularly among younger generations. The tournament's ability to draw such large crowds demonstrates the sport's mainstream appeal and the demand for high-level competition, making it a must-attend event for tennis fans.