Indian Wells: Where Tennis Meets the Desert

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Tennis Destination Journal
Inside one of tennis's most celebrated tournaments — and how to experience Indian Wells as more than just a spectator.
Indian Wells tennis experience in the California desert
The Experience

Tennis in Paradise

There are tennis tournaments, and then there is Indian Wells . Set against the mountains and desert landscape of Southern California, the tournament brings together world-class tennis, beautiful weather and an atmosphere that feels completely different from a traditional sporting event.

You can spend the day walking the grounds, watching the best players in the world practice only a few feet away, discovering matches on the outer courts and then finish the evening inside the stadium.

For a tennis player or fan, Indian Wells isn't simply somewhere to watch tennis — it is a place to live tennis for a few days.
Professional tennis at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells
Beyond Center Court

More Than Matches

What makes Indian Wells special is everything that happens between the matches. You can watch players practice up close, move between courts, spend time with other tennis fans and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere around the grounds.

Outside the tournament, the Coachella Valley offers restaurants, resorts, hiking and the desert lifestyle that has made this part of California a destination of its own.

That combination is exactly what makes Indian Wells so interesting from a travel perspective. You don't have to choose between a tennis trip and a vacation. Here, the two naturally come together.

It is the same philosophy behind Tennis Destination : exceptional tennis may be what brings us together, but the people, food, culture and experiences beyond the court are what turn a trip into a lasting memory.

The Tournament

Know Before Going

The 2027 BNP Paribas Open is scheduled for February 28 through March 14, 2027 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. On the men's tour, Indian Wells is an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, bringing many of the world's leading players to the California desert.

But attending Indian Wells is different from simply buying a ticket to a single match. There are day and evening sessions, multiple courts, practice areas and different ticket options.

Where you stay, which sessions you attend and how you organize your days can have a major effect on the experience.

For someone visiting for the first time, planning around the entire Indian Wells experience — rather than one stadium ticket — is the better way to approach it.

Coach Mo Ridaoui coaching tennis
Led By Experience

Travel With Experience

Tennis has taken me around the world as a player and coach. I represented Morocco in Davis Cup for ten years, competed as Morocco's No. 1 player, reached No. 2 in NCAA Division I tennis at Ole Miss and have spent more than three decades coaching the game.

But some of my best memories in tennis have very little to do with a final score. They are about the people I've met, the places I've experienced and the doors that tennis has opened along the way.

I've experienced Indian Wells personally, and that matters when creating a Tennis Destination journey. I don't want to recommend a place from a brochure. I want to understand what makes the experience special and then share it with other tennis people.

You can learn more about Tennis Destination and the story behind our journeys .

Our Philosophy

Travel Like Locals

Tennis Destination was created around a simple idea: the tennis gets us there, but it shouldn't be the only thing we remember.

A great tennis journey should include world-class matches, but it should also include playing tennis ourselves, discovering great restaurants, experiencing the destination and spending time with people who share our passion for the sport.

We aren't interested in moving a busload of tourists from one attraction to another. We want enough flexibility to enjoy the destination, change plans when something interesting comes up and actually get to know the people traveling together.

That's the difference between attending a tournament and experiencing a tennis destination.

That philosophy extends beyond California. Our tennis journeys through Morocco combine time on court with cuisine, culture and local connections in the same way — allowing tennis to open the door to a much larger travel experience.

Tennis Destination travelers sharing a small-group tennis experience
A Day With Us

Your Tennis Journey

Imagine waking up in the California desert with tennis already on the day's agenda.

01

Morning

Start with breakfast and time on the tennis court with Coach Mo and the group.

02

Afternoon

Head to the Tennis Garden, explore the grounds, watch practices and discover matches throughout the complex.

03

Evening

Experience the atmosphere of world-class professional tennis under the desert lights.

04

Beyond Tennis

Great food, desert landscapes, conversation and experiences around the Coachella Valley.

Who Joins Us

Is This You?

You don't need to be an advanced tennis player to enjoy a Tennis Destination journey.

Our experiences are designed for recreational tennis players who love the game and want something more from their travel. Couples are welcome, and a spouse or companion does not need to play tennis to enjoy the experience.

Solo travelers can also feel comfortable joining the group. Tennis already gives everyone something in common, making it much easier for a small group of travelers to connect.

The common denominator isn't your rating. It's your love of tennis, travel and experiencing something new.
Intentionally Personal

Small By Design

14–16

Travelers. That's it.

Smaller groups allow us to be more flexible, choose better restaurants, organize tennis more easily and create a more personal experience.

By the end of a great tennis trip, we don't want everyone to feel as though they traveled on the same tour bus. We want them to feel like they shared an experience together.

Good To Know

Questions Players Ask

When is Indian Wells in 2027?

The 2027 BNP Paribas Open is scheduled for February 28 through March 14, 2027 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California.

Do I need to be an advanced tennis player?

No. The experience is designed around people who enjoy tennis, not just highly competitive players. Playing ability can vary within the group.

Can my spouse or partner come if they don't play?

Yes. Indian Wells and the surrounding desert offer plenty to enjoy away from the tennis court, making the experience ideal for couples where only one person plays.

Can I travel alone?

Absolutely. Small-group tennis travel works particularly well for solo travelers because everyone arrives with at least one shared interest: tennis.

Will we play tennis ourselves?

Yes. Playing tennis is an important part of the Tennis Destination philosophy. The specific schedule and amount of court time depend on the final itinerary.

Are tournament tickets included?

Ticket inclusions depend on the specific Tennis Destination package. Final booking information will clearly identify included sessions and ticket categories.

How large is the group?

Tennis Destination specializes in intimate groups, generally around 14–16 travelers rather than large traditional tours.

How do I get information about the 2027 experience?

Explore the Indian Wells 2027 experience below for current trip details and availability. You can also visit our frequently asked questions or contact Tennis Destination directly.

Indian Wells • 2027

Come With Us

You can buy a ticket to Indian Wells and watch great tennis.

Or you can build an entire journey around it.

Tennis Destination is creating a small-group Indian Wells experience for travelers who want professional tennis, their own time on court, great food, the California desert and the experience of sharing it with people who love the game.

Explore Indian Wells 2027

Small Groups  •  Tennis  •  Culture  •  Cuisine  •  Curated Experiences

Where Tennis Meets the World.
About The Author

Coach Mo Ridaoui

Founder of Tennis Destination , former Morocco No. 1, 10-year Davis Cup player and former NCAA Division I No. 2 at Ole Miss. Coach Mo combines more than three decades in tennis with a lifetime of international travel to create small-group experiences built around tennis, culture, cuisine and authentic local connections. Learn more about Coach Mo and Tennis Destination.

author avatar
Tennis Destination CEO
Mo Ridaoui is the founder of Tennis Destination, a luxury tennis travel company creating curated tennis and cultural experiences around the world. A former No. 1 ranked player in Morocco, 10-year member of the Moroccan Davis Cup Team, and former No. 2 ranked NCAA Division I player at Ole Miss, Mo brings more than 30 years of tennis, coaching, and international travel experience to every Tennis Destination experience.

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