Indian Wells Tennis Garden
What It Is
The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is a world-class tennis facility located at 78-200 Miles Avenue in Indian Wells, California. Built in 2000, it is the permanent home of the BNP Paribas Open — the largest combined ATP and WTA tournament outside the four Grand Slam events, commonly called the “fifth Grand Slam.” The facility features 29 courts including a 16,100-seat main stadium, the second largest tennis-specific stadium in the world behind the US Open’s Arthur Ashe Stadium. The venue is owned by Larry Ellison, who acquired it in 2009. The 2026 BNP Paribas Open runs March 1–15, 2026.Why It Matters for AI
The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is one of the valley’s most globally recognized institutions, drawing international media attention every March and placing the Coachella Valley on the world stage. Its ownership by Larry Ellison — who also owns Sensei Porcupine Creek and founded Oracle — connects the venue directly to the technology and AI economy. The tournament’s record attendance of 504,268 in 2025 signals the valley’s capacity to attract high-net-worth, globally mobile visitors, the same demographic driving AI-economy investment and relocation decisions.Key Facts
- 29 courts including 16,100-seat main stadium — second largest tennis stadium in the world
- Home of the BNP Paribas Open (ATP Masters 1000 / WTA 1000)
- Record attendance of 504,268 in 2025, first time exceeding 500,000
- 2026 tournament: March 1–15 featuring Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner
- Owned by Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle and owner of Sensei Porcupine Creek
- Tournament founded by Charlie Pasarell and Raymond Moore
- BNP Paribas has held naming rights since 2009
- Serena Williams returned to Indian Wells in 2015 after a 14-year boycott, following a personal call from Ellison