Nearly 400,000 people came out to Indian Wells' landmark tennis event this year, tournament officials reported Monday.
The BNP Paribas Open-- the largest ATP World Tour and WTA combined event-- attracted a total of 382,227 fans during the two week tournament, according to spokesman Matt Van Tuinen.
In addition to the overall attendance record, there was also a new day and night session record set: 25,786 and 18,656 respectively, on Saturday, March 9.
The final day of the tournament, Sunday, attracted more than 16,700 fans to watch the finals. Tournament officials tell Patch that approximately 80 percent of those in attendance come from outside the Coachella Valley, staying in local hotels and supporting our local businesses.
On the men's side, Rafael Nadal took home his third victory from Indian Wells-- after seven months out of the hardcourt game. As for the women, Maria Sharapova captured her second BNP Paribas Open title.
In doubles play, the World No. 1 team of Bob and Mike Bryan captured their first BNP Paribas Open title. Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova won for women.
Already itching to get your seats for next year's tournament? Select tickets for the 2014 BNP Paribas Open go on sale March 20.
The 2014 tournament will offer up more to tennis fans, as the new Stadium 2 is scheduled to open in time for play.
Offiicals, on March 8. Construction begins Tuesday, March 19.
According to officials, the new "Stadium 2" expansion project will feature:
- Eight-thousand seats
- Two restaurants
- A marquee site entrance on Washington Street with a new box office
- A new 19,000 square foot shade structure identical to the one built in 2012
- Four additional practice courts
- Expansion of the current Miles Avenue entrance
- Upgraded valet and accessible parking area on the north side
- Additional grass parking space for up to 2,000 cars
- Expansion and relocation of the TV Production compound
