2011 BNP Paribas Open Achieves Attendance Milestone

© Getty ImagesA record 350,000 fans attended the 2011 BNP Paribas Open.

More Than 350,000 People Attend The Fortnight In Indian Wells

The 36th edition of the BNP Paribas Open was the most successful tournament in its history, and achieved an attendance milestone with 350,086 fans attending the event.

Attendance has been on a steady climb for the past six years, solidifying the tournament’s position as the fifth most-attended tournament in the world.

Attendance has grown by more than ten-fold since the beginning of the event in 1976 when 30,000 people attended the tournament. The all-time day session (Saturday, March 12 - 23,466) and finals (Sunday, March 20 - 16,754) attendance records were set during this year’s tournament as well.

In addition to record attendance, the tournament became the first in the world to offer Hawk-Eye replay technology and video displays on all match courts. In addition, an enormous Super Wall was added to the brand new Corona Plaza, allowing fans to watch three match feeds at one-time.

The tournament also added approximately 2,600 seats on the outer courts at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, bringing total capacity of the outer courts to almost 17,000. Fans also enjoyed the addition of four practice courts, bringing the total number of practice courts to 16. Viewing platforms were also installed adjacent to the main practice courts, giving tournament spectators a great look at how the world’s top players prepare for their matches.

The BNP Paribas Open broadcast more action with Tennis Channel, ESPN2 and ABC airing more than 80 hours of live coverage. In addition, Tennis Channel aired 140 hours of encore coverage. Both ABC and ESPN signed multi-year agreements to air the tournament, and Tennis Channel signed a five-year agreement.

This year ESPN3.com offered a live streaming web broadcast of matches from the third round through the quarterfinals, and TennisTV.com, the official ATP World Tour/WTA home of live tennis online, offered all BNP Paribas Open televised matches along with highlights, interviews and features from the tournament.

For the first time ever, the tournament also offered a user-friendly interface of its website, so fans on-the-go could access ticket information, scores, order of play, weather information and even video highlights on many platforms. In addition, the tournament surpassed more than 20,000 fans “liking” its Facebook fan page.

Next year’s BNP Paribas Open is scheduled for March 5-18, 2012, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and will again feature more than 300 of the best players in the world and offer fans incredible action.