BNP Paribas Open sets records for attendance, prize money and TV ratings – Tennis Now
By Richard Pagliaro Friday, March 27, 2026
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
Tennis Paradise is the center of the tennis world this month.
The 2026 BNP Paribas Open culminated in a dramatic championship weekend that saw Alina Sabalenka Save championship points and beat Elena Rybakina Previously in the women’s final Yannik Sinner beats Daniil Medvedev In the men’s final, a record-breaking event was covered.
More than half a million fans attended the 2026 BNP Paribas Open.
Total attendance over the two weeks was 527,626, a new record for the BNP Paribas Open. This marks the second year in a row that the event has exceeded 500,000 fans and remains the only ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event to have more than 500,000 fans in two consecutive years.
There were 176,264 fans at the event during the middle weekend (Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8), setting a new weekend attendance record. A new single-day attendance record of 60,781 was set on Saturday, March 7.
Here are some 2026 Indian Wells facts and figures from BNP Paribas Open Media staff:
Tournament prize money reaches record high, total player winnings exceed $20 million
With total prize money paid out across all tournaments of more than $20 million, the 2026 BNP Paribas Open is the largest in the history of the event and the largest at the ATP Masters 1000 or WTA 1000 levels.
The increase in prize money is headlined by the 2026 French Open Mixed Doubles Invitational, which has a $1 million purse and expands to 16 teams in its third draw. The total purse also includes $200,000 for the 2026 Eisenhower Trophy, a one-night tiebreaker won by Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina.
336 players from 55 different countries competed in eight different draws for the 2026 BNP Paribas Open (men’s and women’s singles, doubles and qualifying; mixed doubles invitational and Eisenhower Cup).
Tennis Channel’s most-watched match ever
The 2026 BNP Paribas Open was the most-watched event in Tennis Channel history. Ratings for the event were up 39% compared to 2025, while live event coverage and TC Live were up 57% from the previous year.
Digital audience surges to 1.3 million social followers, 2.7 million website users and 338,000 app users
The BNP Paribas Open is the most followed ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event on major social media platforms, with a total of 1.3 million followers. The event’s official social channels have seen considerable growth in recent years. In 2026, social views will exceed 225 million, generating 10.1 million interactions, a 39% increase over 2025, and the number of fans will increase from 1 million in 2025 to 1.3 million, a year-on-year increase of 24%. The event also attracted 2.7 million users to its official website and 338,000 users of the official event mobile app, further expanding its global digital influence.
Merchandise, food and beverage sales reach new heights
Merchandise sales at the tournament increased by 36% in 2026, breaking the previous record set in 2025. In partnership with Legends Global, growth includes a 14% increase in average transaction value, a 25% increase in items per capita, and a 9% increase in capture rates, all of which surpassed the previous record set in 2025. The oversized tennis balls were the store’s best-selling product, with more than 4,000 sold throughout the tournament.
The retail experience at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open also includes lululemon serving as the tournament’s official outfitter for the first time.
World-class dining events at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, curated by Sodexo Live!, remain a highlight of the fan experience in Tennis Paradise. There are more than 40 restaurants serving fans at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, including 4 dine-in restaurants. 2026 marks the fifth consecutive year of record food and beverage sales during the event, up 20% from 2025, with per capita purchases up 7%.
Champions Volunteer Foundation deepens philanthropic impact in Tennis Paradise
Champions Volunteer Foundation, the charitable arm of the BNP Paribas Open, continues to expand its presence in the Coachella Valley in 2026. While more than 1,400 volunteers support all aspects of the event, the foundation’s broader mission remains rooted in giving back to the community.
In 2025, the BNP Paribas Open donated $750,000 to the Champions Volunteer Foundation to support local charitable organizations throughout the Coachella Valley. In addition, the foundation’s silent auction at the 2026 championship raised more than $50,000, further contributing to its ongoing philanthropic efforts.
