If tennis has a "fifth Grand Slam," it's Indian Wells. The BNP Paribas Open — held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in the California desert — is the biggest tournament outside of the four Slams, and the 2026 edition runs from March 1 to 15.

Here's everything you need to know.

The Basics

  • Tournament: BNP Paribas Open 2026
  • Dates: March 1-15, 2026
  • Location: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, California, USA
  • Surface: Outdoor hard court
  • Category: ATP Masters 1000 (52nd edition men's) + WTA 1000 (37th edition women's)

Key Dates

  • Qualifying: March 1-3
  • Main draw R1-R2: March 4-7
  • Round of 32 (R3): March 8-9
  • Round of 16: March 10-11
  • Quarterfinals: March 12
  • Women's Semifinals: March 13
  • Men's Semifinals: March 14
  • Finals: March 15
  • Mixed Doubles Invitational: March 10-15

Gates open at 10 AM, matches start at 11 AM. Evening sessions begin at 6 PM (gates at 4:30 PM).

The Filipino Angle: Eala in the Draw

Alex Eala is competing at Indian Wells, riding the momentum of her Dubai quarterfinal run where she beat world No. 6 Jasmine Paolini and reached the last eight at a WTA 1000. She enters ranked around World No. 47 and with the kind of confidence that makes her dangerous against anyone in the draw.

Indian Wells' outdoor hard courts suit Eala's game — fast enough for her aggressive shot-making, but with enough room on the expansive courts for her to use her movement and court coverage.

How to Watch from the Philippines

The time zone challenge: Indian Wells is on Pacific Time (UTC-8), which means morning matches start around 3 AM Philippine Time, and evening sessions begin around 10 AM PHT. The evening sessions are your best bet for live viewing during reasonable hours.

Check your local sports channels and streaming services for broadcast details — WTA and ATP coverage varies by provider and region.

Why Indian Wells Matters

Indian Wells isn't just big — it's prestigious. The combined ATP and WTA event draws the best players in the world to a purpose-built tennis facility in the middle of the Californian desert. Winning Indian Wells is a career-defining achievement. Making a deep run puts you in elite company.

For Eala, after the Dubai quarterfinal, Indian Wells is the next step in proving that her 2026 season is building toward something special. The stakes are high. The stage is massive. And the Philippines will be watching.