Spring is coming Pacific Northwest friends! The sun is poking out more often, it’s staying light until well after five o’clock, and threats of snow days are almost gone. If you haven’t made plans for spring break yet, it’s time to book those travel plans. Looking for somewhere warm to go soon with the whole family? Head down south to Indian Wells, CA for the BNP Paribas Open and see the top tennis pros live!
The BNP Paribas Open runs March 6-19 and is one of the top tennis tournaments for both the men’s and women’s professional tour. Unofficially known as “Fifth Slam,” the BNPPO is a player and fan favorite for its weather, exceptional tournament grounds, amazing seating, fan accessibility and overall relaxed atmosphere. As a mandatory event for the world’s top players, the tournament guarentees amazing action for fans across all courts.
The BNPPO is built on the fan experience, and each year the tournament spends millions of dollars on site upgrades to create the best experience for all fans. Whether you are a tournament VIP sitting court side or are wandering around with a grounds pass, you’ll soak up the sun while seeing some great tennis.
For those of us in the Pacific Northwest, the desert is a great escape from the rain, and with direct flights from Seattle and Portland getting to and from Indian Wells is a breeze. While you can’t go wrong going anytime during the entire two weeks of play, we have tips for getting the most out of your trip and out of your budget.
1. Go the First Week
The first week of play is definitely the time to go for first time BNPPO travelers. The first Monday and Tuesday are all qualifying rounds, and admission is free! Not only can you get up close and personal to the players and beat the crowds, but you can get a feel for the grounds. That way you can plan out what courts you want watch at later in the week, making it easy to hop from court to court to see as many players as possible.
2. Stalk the Practice Courts
The practice courts at the BNPPO are specifically designed to give fans access to the pros, so you can get feet away from the best players in the world without having to spend major money on a court side seat. The practice schedule in posted daily, so you can see when and where each pro is playing. The players often sign autographs and take selfies with fans after their practice sessions too, so bring a sharpie and something for them to sign!
3. Get Grounds Passes
Stadium tickets can get expensive, especially during the second week, so a great alternative for families is to purchase daily grounds passes. Starting at $20, grounds passes can be bought at the tournament or online prior to the event. While they don’t get you into Stadium 1, they give you access to all of the other stadiums and practice courts. If you get there early enough, you can even sit court side on some of the smaller stadiums!
4. Splurge on One Night of Great Seats
While a grounds pass is an excellent way to experience the BNPPO, getting great seats in Stadium 1 is the best way to see the big names in one of the best stadiums in the world. Many fans wait to see what time their favorite player is on Stadium 1, then buy tickets the night before or day of. During the first week when the crowds are low, you can even hop down to better seats that are vacant (court side if you’re lucky) until the ticket holders arrive!
5. Choose Your Hotel Wisely
The hardest part about visiting the BNPPO is finding housing. Hotels and services like VRBO and AirBNB all raise their prices during the tournament, so the earlier you can book lodging the better. Most fans spend very little time at their hotel since they are at the tournament all day, so budget hotels can be the way to go. Some hotels also offer free shuttles to and from the tournament grounds, saving you on the $20 daily parking fee. If you’re hoping to avoid renting a car, services like Uber and Lyft are active during the tournament as well.
Share your BNP Paribas Open experiences with us! Tag @RecTennis on Instagram or Facebook.
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