Global banking group BNP Paribas is marking the start of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open with a series of community, youth development, and philanthropic initiatives designed to expand access to tennis while strengthening its long-standing role as one of the sport’s most prominent global sponsors.
Held annually at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the tournament is one of the largest events on the professional calendar outside the Grand Slams. BNP Paribas has supported tennis for more than five decades, with sponsorships spanning grassroots programs, junior development, and major professional tournaments worldwide.
At the 2026 event, the bank is expanding its BNP Paribas Open Scholarship Program, increasing the number of college grants awarded to Coachella Valley students from four to ten. Each recipient will receive a $20,000 scholarship, with presentations taking place both at local schools and during on-court ceremonies at the tournament.
Another key initiative returning this year is “Points for Change,” a philanthropic program that converts points played during BNP Paribas–sponsored tournaments into charitable donations supporting youth and community organizations. During the 2025 BNP Paribas Open, more than 26,000 points were recorded, generating an equivalent donation to the Girls on the Run Riverside program serving Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
The bank is also continuing its partnership with Canadian ATP star Félix Auger-Aliassime through the #FAAPointsForChange initiative, which funds educational scholarships for students in Togo based on the number of points he wins on tour.
Beyond philanthropy, BNP Paribas is highlighting youth development through its Team BNP Paribas Young Talents program, a global training initiative developed in collaboration with the John McEnroe
Tennis Academy. The program provides coaching and financial support to more than 150 promising junior players worldwide.
Fans attending the tournament will also experience interactive activations tied to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, including a “Letters to Greatness” installation celebrating the 2026 inductees, Roger Federer and Mary Carillo.
Additional initiatives include ticket donations to local schools and nonprofits, employee engagement programs, and community activations in New York and New Jersey tied to tournament coverage.
The efforts underscore BNP Paribas’ long-running strategy of supporting tennis at every level—from amateur participation and youth development to the professional game—while leveraging major events like the BNP Paribas Open to deliver community impact alongside world-class competition.
