A packing list for attending the BNP Paribas Open — including outfits for day sessions, evening matches, and desert weather swings.
Introduction
Every March, tennis fans head to the desert for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, often called the “fifth Grand Slam” of tennis.
Between the sunshine, palm trees, colorful flowers, and the incredible atmosphere around the grounds, it truly feels like tennis paradise. All of the top players come to compete, but the experience goes beyond the matches. The tournament grounds are beautiful, the shopping is excellent, there are great food options, and live music throughout the day.
It’s one of the most fun sporting events you can travel to — and the best part is that a weekend at Indian Wells can easily fit in a carry-on.
We spent a weekend attending both day and evening sessions, and this is exactly what I packed.
Why Indian Wells Is Such a Great Tennis Trip
The tournament takes place at the stunning Indian Wells Tennis Garden in the California desert.
What makes it unique:
- Sunshine almost every day
- Palm trees and bright flowers throughout the grounds
- Incredible practice courts where you can watch top players up close
- Great restaurants and food stands
- Live music and shopping throughout the venue
It feels less like a typical sporting event and more like a festival for tennis fans.
What to Expect Weather-Wise
Indian Wells has big temperature swings.
Typical March conditions:
Day sessions
• Sunny
• 70–85°F (sometimes hotter!)
Evening sessions
• Can drop into the 50s or low 60s
This means layers are essential.
My Carry-On Packing Strategy
For a weekend tennis trip, I focus on:
• lightweight clothing for daytime matches
• layers for evening sessions
• comfortable walking shoes
• a stadium-approved clear bag
Everything fits easily in a roller carry-on.
My Carry-On Travel System
For almost all of my trips — including this weekend at the BNP Paribas Open — I travel using the same carry-on system.
It keeps everything organized and makes it easy to pack for a quick weekend without checking a bag.
My go-to setup:
• Carry-on roller suitcase
• structured tote or travel backpack
• packing cubes for organization
• clear stadium bag for tournament entry
You can see my full travel setup here:
→ My Favorite Carry-On Travel System
What I Packed for a Weekend at Indian Wells
Day Match Outfits
For day sessions, think light, comfortable, and breathable.
I packed:
- skort and tank set
- lightweight midi skirt and white top (love that this white top isn’t see through)
- comfortable sandals or sneakers
- sunglasses
- a hat or visor
The desert sun can be strong, so sun protection is important.
Evening Match Layers
Evening matches are incredible — the stadium atmosphere is electric — but it gets cooler once the sun sets.
For evening sessions I packed:
- lightweight sweater
- denim jacket or puffy jacket (I wore my puffy and I was glad I had it)
- comfortable shoes for walking between courts
Layers make it easy to adjust throughout the night.
Hotel Pool + Relaxing
Indian Wells hotels almost always have great pools.
For downtime between matches I packed:
Extra Layers
Because desert temperatures drop quickly after sunset, I also packed:
- denim jacket (cute layer for going out to dinner too)
- extra layer for late matches (puffy jacket)
Carry-On Essentials
One important tip:
The tennis garden has a strict clear bag policy, so make sure you bring a stadium-approved clear bag.
My essentials included:
- clear stadium bag
- portable phone charger
- sunscreen
- lip balm
- sunglasses
- small wallet (I just used a small zippered pouch)
- crossbody phone case – I loved having easy access to my phone to snap pics
In my clear bag I could fit all of the above plus an unopened water bottle (you can also bring a refillable water bottle and they have places you can fill it up all over).
My Full Indian Wells Packing List
Here’s the complete list of what I packed for the weekend for you to download:
My Go-To Travel Toiletry Kit
One of the reasons I’m able to pack everything in a carry-on is because I keep a permanently packed toiletry kit.
It includes all my travel-size essentials and fits easily inside my suitcase.
See everything in my toiletry kit here →
Pro Tips for Attending Indian Wells
A few things that make the experience even better:
✔ Arrive early to explore the practice courts
✔ Wear comfortable shoes — you’ll walk a lot
✔ Bring layers for evening sessions
✔ Pack a clear bag for stadium entry
✔ Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat for the day sessions!
Next: Our Full Indian Wells Itinerary
In my next post I’ll share:
• where we stayed
• our tournament schedule
• the best sessions to attend
• tips for planning your own Indian Wells trip
Planning Your Own Indian Wells Trip
If attending the BNP Paribas Open is on your tennis bucket list, I can help plan the trip — from hotels and match sessions to travel logistics and insider recommendations.
When I book hotels for clients, they often receive additional perks such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades when available, and resort credits.
Learn more about planning a tennis trip →
Stay tuned for more Indian Wells tips and travel guides.
Leave a Reply