The BNP Paribas Open, widely regarded as the “Fifth Slam,” is doubling down on the mixed doubles revolution. Tournament officials announced today, February 25, 2026, that the mixed doubles prize pool will hit $1 million this year—nearly tripling the $370,000 purse from 2025.
The move is a strategic play to transform the tournament’s second week from a period of tapering interest into a star-studded showcase. By offering a million-dollar incentive, Indian Wells aims to convince the world’s top 10 singles players to remain in the desert even after their primary campaigns end.
The “US Open” Blueprint
Indian Wells is mirroring a successful, if controversial, experiment from the 2025 US Open. When the New York major boosted its mixed doubles prize to $1 million, it successfully lured almost every top 10 singles star into the draw.
- The “Second Week” Problem: As singles players are eliminated, fan engagement traditionally dips. CMO Philippe Dore noted: “Part of our strategy is to have more tennis… as we go into the second week, we start losing players.”
- Olympic Momentum: With mixed doubles set to open the tennis program at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, tournaments are racing to establish the format as a premier commercial product.
The Controversy of Inclusion
The shift toward “singles stars” in doubles draws has sparked a backlash from doubles specialists. Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, the 2025 Indian Wells mixed doubles champions, previously labeled the prioritization of high-profile singles players over established doubles teams a “profound injustice.”
Critics argue that “putting money above tennis” risks eroding the technical specialty of doubles in favor of celebrity-driven viewership metrics.
Australian Open Inspiration: The $10 Ticket
In addition to the prize hike, Indian Wells is adopting the “Festival” model popularized by the 2026 Australian Open.
- Access: Fans can now purchase $10 qualifying-day tickets to watch elite stars practice on Stadium 1 and 2.
- Attendance Surge: The Australian Open saw an 87% increase in attendance using similar low-cost entry points for the opening week, a metric Indian Wells hopes to replicate in the California desert.