History
Learn more about the storied history of one of the most impressive professional sports venues around the globe.
The Indian Wells Tennis Garden opened in March 2000 with the vision of becoming a world-renowned tennis sanctuary that would earmark the start of a new era of tennis for all – professional and amateur players, visitors, sponsors and media alike. Today, that vision has come to life in the form of Tennis Paradise, as the destination has appropriately become known. Widely considered one of the most picturesque and premier venues in all of sports, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden boasts the world’s second largest outdoor tennis stadium (16,100 capacity Stadium 1); an 8,000 seat capacity Stadium 2; 29 regulation hard courts; a beautiful member lounge; and spacious fitness center and locker rooms. The 54-acre tennis mecca hosts a wide variety of sports and entertainment events, including the crown jewel of professional tennis, the BNP Paribas Open – the largest combined men’s and women’s tennis tournament in the world.
The Indian Wells Tennis Garden was the brainchild of American tennis legend and owner of the BNP Paribas Open, Charlie Pasarell, who joined forces with former tennis player Raymond Moore and the late Mark McCormack to privately fund the awe-inspiring development of the venue at the start of the new millennium. In 2009, Oracle Co-Founder and CEO and tennis enthusiast Larry Ellison became the owner of both the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and BNP Paribas Open, with a mission to carry out Pasarell’s vision and dedication to improving the facility and creating a tennis destination in the desert.
Under Ellison’s tenure, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden blossomed into the venue it is today, earning the moniker Tennis Paradise, and a firm spot at the top of any tennis lover’s bucket list. True to his commitment to provide tennis players, fans and visitors with the best experience anywhere in the world, Ellison oversaw an extensive renovation ahead of the 2017 BNP Paribas Open, completely transforming Stadium 1 with new seating, a lowered court surface to accommodate recessed television cameras, a VIP Champions Club, remodeled suites and 21 new restaurants and concession areas. Outside of Stadium 1, a Stadium Plaza and superwall were added to accommodate fans and provide a premium tournament viewing experience.
In addition to the BNP Paribas Open, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden also hosts the Easter Bowl Junior Championships.
