The 2026 BNP Paribas Open returns to Indian Wells Tennis Garden from March 1–15, bringing together the world’s best players for one of the most prestigious tournaments outside the Grand Slams. With a prize pool exceeding $17 million, a stacked entry list, and major ranking implications, Indian Wells 2026 once again promises two weeks of elite tennis in the California desert.
What Is Indian Wells? Why It’s Called the “Fifth Grand Slam”
The BNP Paribas Open, commonly known as Indian Wells, is an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournament held annually at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, USA.
Often referred to as the “fifth Grand Slam,” Indian Wells is widely considered the most prestigious event outside the four majors. The scale of the venue, the quality of the field, and the global attention it receives give it a Grand Slam-level atmosphere.
Indian Wells 2026 will take place from March 1 to March 15, 2026, serving as the opening chapter of the iconic Sunshine Double, followed immediately by the Miami Open.
Indian Wells 2026 Schedule
- March 1–3 – Qualifying rounds
- March 4 – Main draw begins (men’s and women’s singles)
- March 10–11 – Round of 16
- March 14–15 – Semifinals and Finals
The expanded “Opening Week” once again includes open practices, fan events, and exhibition activities before the main competition intensifies.
Prize Money and 2026 Tournament Updates
The total prize money for Indian Wells 2026 exceeds $17,000,000, making it one of the richest tournaments outside the Grand Slam category.
What’s new in 2026:
- All seats in Stadium 2 are now fully reserved — no more Ground Pass access to open seating.
- Continued expansion of fan experiences and hospitality offerings.
- Indian Wells remains one of the largest combined ATP/WTA tournaments on the calendar.
Men’s Singles: Full Entry List and Key Contenders
The men’s draw features 64 players, including Grand Slam champions, Masters 1000 winners, and rising stars.
Top Storylines
- Jannik Sinner enters as one of the main favorites on hard courts.
- Carlos Alcaraz continues his dominance after completing the career Grand Slam.
- Novak Djokovic seeks a record sixth Indian Wells title.
- Taylor Fritz leads American hopes on home soil.
Full Men’s Entry List (64 Players)
- Jannik Sinner (ITA)
- Alexander Zverev (GER)
- Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
- Taylor Fritz (USA)
- Daniil Medvedev
- Casper Ruud (NOR)
- Novak Djokovic (SRB)
- Alex de Minaur (AUS)
- Andrey Rublev
- Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)
- Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
- Tommy Paul (USA)
- Holger Rune (DEN)
- Ben Shelton (USA)
- Jack Draper (GBR)
- Ugo Humbert (FRA)
- Lorenzo Musetti (ITA)
- Frances Tiafoe (USA)
- Karen Khachanov
- Arthur Fils (FRA)
- Sebastian Korda (USA)
- Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
- Alejandro Tabilo (CHI)
- Alexei Popyrin (AUS)
- Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (FRA)
- Jordan Thompson (AUS)
- Flavio Cobolli (ITA)
- Francisco Cerundolo (ARG)
- Tomas Machac (CZE)
- Matteo Arnaldi (ITA)
- Jiri Lehecka (CZE)
- Brandon Nakashima (USA)
- Matteo Berrettini (ITA)
- Gael Monfils (FRA)
- Sebastian Baez (ARG)
- Alexander Bublik (KAZ)
- Tallon Griekspoor (NED)
- Mariano Navone (ARG)
- Juncheng Shang (CHN)
- Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG)
- Pedro Martinez (ESP)
- Luciano Darderi (ITA)
- Cameron Norrie (GBR)
- Nicolas Jarry (CHI)
- Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG)
- Zhizhen Zhang (CHN)
- Aleksandar Vukic (AUS)
- Hubert Hurkacz (POL)
- Jakub Mensik (CZE)
- Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
- Alex Michelsen (USA)
- Pavel Kotov
- Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN)
- Lorenzo Sonego (ITA)
- Botic van de Zandschulp (NED)
- Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB)
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)
- Daniel Altmaier (GER)
- Arthur Rinderknech (FRA)
- Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP)
- Adrian Mannarino (FRA)
- Francisco Comesana (ARG)
- Marcos Giron (USA)
Women’s Singles: Full Entry List and Main Favorites
The women’s draw is equally deep, featuring multiple Grand Slam champions and former world No. 1 players.
Key Storylines
- Aryna Sabalenka leads the field as world No. 1.
- Iga Swiatek remains a top favorite across all surfaces.
- Coco Gauff carries strong American expectations.
- Mirra Andreeva returns as defending Indian Wells champion.
- Madison Keys continues her strong hard-court momentum.
Full Women’s Entry List (64 Players)
- Aryna Sabalenka (BLR)
- Iga Swiatek (POL)
- Coco Gauff (USA)
- Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
- Qinwen Zheng (CHN)
- Jessica Pegula (USA)
- Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
- Emma Navarro (USA)
- Daria Kasatkina
- Danielle Collins (USA)
- Barbora Krejcikova (CZE)
- Paula Badosa (ESP)
- Diana Shnaider
- Anna Kalinskaya
- Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA)
- Mirra Andreeva
- Donna Vekic (CRO)
- Marta Kostyuk (UKR)
- Madison Keys (USA)
- Katie Boulter (GBR)
- Magdalena Frech (POL)
- Yulia Putintseva (KAZ)
- Leylah Fernandez (CAN)
- Elise Mertens (BEL)
- Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
- Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)
- Linda Noskova (CZE)
- Ons Jabeur (TUN)
- Peyton Stearns (USA)
- Dayana Yastremska (UKR)
- Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
- Liudmila Samsonova
- Elina Svitolina (UKR)
- Karolina Muchova (CZE)
- Lulu Sun (NZL)
- Karolina Pliskova (CZE)
- Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)
- Amanda Anisimova (USA)
- Marie Bouzkova (CZE)
- Greet Minnen (BEL)
- Viktoriya Tomova (BUL)
- Clara Tauson (DEN)
- Elina Avanesyan (ARM)
- Taylor Townsend (USA)
- Veronika Kudermetova
- Kateřina Siniaková (CZE)
- Ekaterina Alexandrova
- Emma Raducanu (GBR)
- Lucia Bronzetti (ITA)
- Moyuka Uchijima (JPN)
- Jaqueline Cristian (ROU)
- Ashlyn Krueger (USA)
- Alycia Parks (USA)
- Anna Blinkova
- Sofia Kenin (USA)
- Yue Yuan (CHN)
- Sloane Stephens (USA)
- Wang Xinyu (CHN)
- Nadia Podoroska (ARG)
- Wang Yafan (CHN)
- McCartney Kessler (USA)
- Bernarda Pera (USA)
- Diane Parry (FRA)
- Caroline Dolehide (USA)
Why Indian Wells 2026 Is a Crucial Tournament
As the opening Masters 1000 / WTA 1000 event of the Sunshine Double, Indian Wells carries major ranking points and momentum implications.
A deep run here often signals a strong spring hard-court campaign and can reshape the ATP and WTA rankings early in the season.
With elite competition, record prize money, and a full 128-player singles field, Indian Wells 2026 once again delivers one of the strongest draws of the year.
For match previews, daily updates, and full tournament coverage, explore our tennis news section where we follow every major event from Indian Wells to the US Open and beyond.
