Named the ATP Tour Masters and WTA 1000 “Tournament of the Year” for a ninth consecutive season, the annual BNP Paribas Open returns to Greater Palm Springs for an event looking to be bigger, bolder and, yes, even tastier. Held at the singular sports setting of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden this March 3-17, 2024, this year’s event brings with it a blend of rising and established stars, combined with a fresh menu of drinks and dining for attendees.

Deservedly known both colloquially and globally as “Tennis Paradise,” the game’s unofficial “Fifth Grand Slam” sports a Garden foreground of premier play, combined with the inspired mountain backdrops to serve as a setting for a fanbase that eclipsed more than 450,000 guests in ’23.

Ready to serve up some BNP in ’24? Here’s what the net set needs to know for the event’s changes, additions, attendance, and player field.  

FIRST-EVER ALL-QUARTERFINAL DAY

The 2024 version of the BNP Paribas Open comes compliments with a boosted prize purse (now up to $19 million), along with a notable scheduling change.

This season, with a concerted aim of giving fans enhanced same-day action deeper into the bracket, Thursday, March 14 of the tournament schedule will now include holding all eight ATP and WTA quarterfinal matches in a single day. Additionally, the stacked action will further feature a single session the day ensuing, with Friday the 15^th presenting the BNP men’s doubles final, followed by the pair of singles finals on the WTA side of the draw.

Prefacing the quarter and finals playing pressure, the event will also see fans at the tournament earlier than ever before, with guests being allowed into the ’24 event for the Sunday, March 3 date that will include a full array of practice sessions, along with tournament qualifying matches.

FAN EXPERIENCE

Echoing the on-court stars, ticket options to the BNP Paribas Open come in all shapes and sizes.

Qualifying Round, Single Day tickets and Evening Session passes are all in play for those looking to take in a taste of the action.

For fans seeking either an enhanced or all-in BNP Open experience, the Group Package proves the sweet spot for crews of 10 or more attendees, while the Series Package provides guests the same reserved seat for every session of play throughout the event; those looking to attend in full can select amid the primo Series’ offerings across the trio of on-site Stadiums, ranging from Loge (and Prime Loge) to Stadium Box, Courtside Box, Front Box, Club Suite and the exclusive Premier Club Suite. 

Desert guests seeking to couple some stay with their play will want to check out BNP’s travel packages, with area hotel partners including La Quinta Resort & Club , Hotel Paseo, the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, and the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells.

VENUES

In the weeks preceding the 2024 tournament, a menu makeover was announced for the BNP’s return. Coming compliments of a new partnership with Sodexo Live!, this season’s event will add more than a dozen debut dining options to staple favorites across the grounds, with the new and returning selections including a host of options from Southern California and Greater Palm Springs eateries.

At the Garden’s Stadium 1, the Italian bistro flavors of Porta Via will now take over the dining space overlooking the BNP main stage.

For those strolling the aesthetic grounds, ample opportunities for fresh choices further await at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden Food Village. Among the new options, Japanese-inspired Sumo Dog looks to be a heavy hitter, while San Diego-based Puesto brings fresh Mexican regional fare. Additionally, Post & Beam brings in California “comfort foods” from L.A., while Le Burger by Camphor also comes in from the coast. For some local tastes, the Palm Desert menu of J’s Deli will also stack high among the new choices.

Other new dining choices this season include Seattle-based MOTO Pizza (powered by, yup, a pizza robot); the debut of Stadium 2 options at Love Love Lionel’s and Love Love Chicken; Nine City Tortilla Co. in Stadium 1; and Flat Pie Co. in Stadiums 1 and 2, respectively. As always, if you're craving sushi, be sure to stop by Nobu Indian Wells conveniently located at the Tennis Garden and open year-round. 

THE PLAYERS

(Image by Harjanto Sumali)

Headlining the BNP marquee, World No. 1 and 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic returns to Indian Wells for the first time since 2019. Seeking to become the BNP’s first-ever six-time champion (he and Roger Federer currently hold five crowns apiece), the “Joker” appears on a finals crash course with last season’s champ, 20-year-old star Carlos Alcaraz, the globe’s second-ranked player.

After missing the ’23 tournament due to injury, three-time victor Rafael Nadal will also make his return to Greater Palm Springs, while 2024 Australian Open champ Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev (last year’s BNP runner-up) and ’22 BNP titlist, SoCal’s Taylor Fritz, are all in the fray.

On the ladies’ side of the draw, last season’s champion, Elena Rybakina, will seek to become the BNP’s first WTA back-to-back winner since Martina Navratilova in 1990-91.  

Standing firmly in her path are 2024 Australian Open champion Arnya Sabalenka, World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and American stars Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula (per the Stars & Stripes, no American woman has won the event since Serena Williams captured her second BNP title in 2001).

Further intrigue on the WTA is found via the entries of former World No. 1’s Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki, and teenage stars Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez.

DESERT SMASH

Fans seeking a mesh of pro tennis and premier celebrity will also want to rush the net for the 20^th annual Desert Smash event, which will introduce its inaugural Celebrity Pickleball Challenge this year.

Held on March 4^th and 5^th at La Quinta Resort & Club, the charity gathering will be hosted this year by actress Charlize Theron, with proceeds going to benefit her eponymous Africa Outreach Project.

Looking for more? Take a look at the signature events happening in Greater Palm Springs this upcoming spring.