Guide to BNP Paribas Open (One Day Trip)
Tips for all of my tennis girlies!
Just went to Indian Wells yesterday and I thought it might be helpful to share my experience buying a Grounds Pass for the BNP Paribas Open. I’m saving for a wedding, so I didn’t want to buy reserved seats. But I still had a ton of fun!
I bought my grounds pass for $60 for the first Sunday of the tournament. When I was looking into tickets for this year, it was too late to get a good deal. A day passes with reserved seating in stadium 1 was climbing up to $150+ for even nosebleeds 😂
In a tennis stadium, every seat is a great seat, but I would much rather take my chances with a grounds pass since I didn’t know who would be playing.
To the actual info:
1. Parking is free. You can also park pretty close to the front if you get there early. Matches start at 11am, gates open at 10am, so get there as close to 10 as possible for the best chance.
2. You can bring in a small purse or fanny pack, but anything bigger needs to be clear. Security is a breeze! You walk through detectors and they pull aside select people for bag checks.
3. Grounds passes are for the whole day and you can sit in stadiums 2-6 and watch the practice court sessions.
4. If there is a good match for stadium 2, get there during the prior match to ensure a seat. We showered up for the last set of Tsitsipas v. Tiafoe and stood at the entrance for a section and couldn’t see anything.
5. You can only leave or go to your seat between matches or when the players switch sides (every time the set games played adds up to an odd number). This means you can grab a seat when the set is 2-1, 3-0, 3-2, etc. Otherwise you have to wait until the staff let you in.
6. Go do the free stuff! There’s a lot of fun and free activities on the grounds that you can do if you’re waiting for a match to start or want to explore. Razr has free ping pong/table tennis to play. Penn has a free photo opportunity, and if you post your photo to IG or X, they give you a free can of Penn balls. BMW has a free “Test Your Serve” activity, where you can test the speed of your serve with one of their rackets. Dobel Tequila has a free 360° cam and gives you a branded black Dobel tennis ball.
7. Food and drink. There are lots of great options, but you can also bring in your own food/snacks! And there are a ton of water refill stations if you want to bring your water bottle.
8. Stadium 1 - even though you can’t sit in stadium 1, there are tons of TVs around the grounds where you can watch the match live.
And that’s it! It’s about 1.5 hrs from OC to Indian Wells, and 2-2.5 hrs with the traffic on the way back. Hope this was helpful and lmk if you have any questions about Indian Wells or want to see more tennis/travel content! #IndianWells #Tennis #Travel #travelguides #tennisaesthetic #pickleball #palmsprings #palmspringsrecommendations
The BNP Paribas Open is a premier event for tennis lovers, held annually in Indian Wells, California. For those planning to visit, a one-day trip can be both exciting and budget-friendly. Firstly, consider purchasing a grounds pass. Not only does it provide access to multiple stadiums, but it also allows for a full day of activities from 11 AM to the evening. Arriving early can lead to free parking, and it’s advisable to arrive at the venue by 10 AM to secure a good spot. As you navigate the tournament, remember that while you can bring a small purse, larger bags must be clear, streamlining security. Courts 2-6 offer great viewing opportunities, and there are various engaging activities throughout the grounds. Participating in free events such as speed serve tests and photo opportunities can make the experience even more enjoyable. Additionally, don’t forget to carry a reusable water bottle, as many stations are available for refills. Balancing fun food options and personal snacks ensures you stay energized throughout the day. Even if you’re not in Stadium 1, you can still catch matches on large screens around the venue. Hence, with careful planning and an exploratory spirit, attendees can enjoy a memorable one-day experience at this celebrated tournament.
Love your sharing 💛 Welcome:)