US Open effect? Indian Wells leans into mixed doubles trend with record $1M prize pool

The BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells has announced a $1 million prize pool for its 2026 mixed doubles event, nearly tripling last year’s purse and signaling a strategic shift for the so-called “Fifth Slam.” Tournament officials confirmed the increase as part of a broader effort to elevate mixed doubles and sustain fan engagement into the second week of competition.

Mixed doubles was only introduced at Indian Wells in 2024 with a modest $150,000 purse. That figure rose to $370,000 in 2025. The jump to seven figures in 2026 represents a significant recalibration and aligns the California event more closely with recent moves by other leading tournaments seeking to capitalize on growing interest in the format.

The timing is notable. At the 2025 US Open, organizers boosted mixed doubles prize money to $1 million, up from $200,000 the previous year. The decision was designed to draw top singles players into the discipline. By most measures, it succeeded: nearly every top 10 men’s and women’s singles player entered the event.

Indian Wells has not yet released its mixed doubles field for 2026. However, tournament leadership has made clear that the increased purse is intended to encourage participation from established singles stars and to maintain competitive relevance during a period when the singles draw begins to narrow.

Chief marketing officer Philippe Dore framed the initiative as part of a broader scheduling strategy. As the singles tournament progresses, the field inevitably contracts, reducing the number of matches on site. Mixed doubles, scheduled to begin March 10—six days after the singles main draw opens on March 4—will help fill that gap across the nine-court complex.

“Part of our strategy is to have more tennis, because as we know, as we go into the second week, we start losing [players],” Dore said to Front Office.

The structure mirrors the logic employed in New York. By positioning mixed doubles deeper into the tournament calendar, organizers can keep high-profile players on site longer and provide fans with additional marquee matchups. The commercial implications are evident: more recognizable names on court translate into higher ticket demand and sustained broadcast interest.

The US Open’s experiment, however, was not without friction. Traditional doubles specialists were largely sidelined as singles players filled the draw. The only doubles-focused team to compete, Italy’s Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, ultimately won the event defeating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in the final.

“We see it as a profound injustice, that disrespect an entire category of players. Put money above tennis is never a good idea,” the Italian pair wrote on Instagram about the US Open mixed doubles in February 2025.

The renewed emphasis on mixed doubles comes amid broader institutional support. According to journalist Ben Rothenberg, mixed doubles will open the tennis program at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. That positioning gives the discipline added visibility on one of sport’s largest stages and may further incentivize top singles players to treat it seriously in the lead-up.

Indian Wells is also drawing inspiration from the Australian Open in other areas. The 2026 edition will introduce a $10 qualifying-day ticket, granting fans access to practice sessions on Stadium 1 and Stadium 2 for the first time. The move follows Melbourne’s expanded access model, which produced an 87% increase in qualifying-week attendance.

Dore acknowledged that the Australian blueprint has been influential in shaping recent decisions. “We take quite a bit of inspiration with the AO,” Dore says. “Looking at those metrics and the festival atmosphere that they’re bringing, we like that.”

For Indian Wells, the message is consistent. Expanded access, increased prize money, and a more prominent mixed doubles platform are not isolated adjustments but part of a coordinated attempt to extend relevance across two weeks. Whether the $1 million purse secures the participation of top-ranked singles players remains to be seen, but the financial signal is clear.