BNP Paribas Open Ball Crew

Ball Crew members must be between the ages of 13 and 35 by March 1, 2026. (Proof of age is required).

Ball Crew members must be physically capable of performing up to a two-hour continuous session on court as part of a six-hour shift. The normal session is one-hour on court followed by a one-hour rest period.

1. Register: Click on the “Register” button to be directed to our registration site. Create an account on our registration site. Verify your email, and click to apply for the 2026 tournament. If you already have an account, log into your account, please do not create a new one, use the “password reset” button, if needed. Once your application is approved, you will receive an email to log back in and complete the application steps. The application steps include signing the waivers, downloading and reading the Ball Crew Manual, watching the training videos and passing the Ball Crew quiz. It is an open-book quiz, you can reference the manual.
   
2. Shifts: Complete a minimum of six (6) shifts during the two-week tournament. You will be allowed to sign up for shifts through our online scheduling software, once your registration is complete. This will allow you to make travel arrangements.
   • You will be required to complete three (3) shifts during the first 5 days of the tournament.  Once you have signed up for the required shifts, weekend shifts will be available to you. This will be monitored.
   • Two consecutive shifts may be taken on the same day.
   • Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final shifts are by invitation only based on performance during the week.
     
3. Training: Sign up for training through our online scheduling software and complete a minimum of 10-12 hours of training or 2 boot camp training days. Our objective is to be sure that you are “Tournament Ready”. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee “Tournament Ready” status in 10-12 hours of training because it is based on your performance. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you start your training early to ensure that you complete all of the training necessary before tournament day. The Ball Crew Chairs will determine when you have reached that goal.
   
4. Orientation/Uniform Distribution: Attend one (1) Orientation / uniform distribution offered Friday, February 27, 2026 from 5pm-8pm and Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 9am-12pm. You will receive your uniform and credential following orientation.

1. Register: Log into your account on our registration site and apply for the 2026 tournament. Registration is required each year. Once your application is approved, you will receive an email to log back in and complete the application steps. The application steps include signing the waivers, downloading and reading the Ball Crew Manual, watching the training videos, and passing the Ball Crew quiz. It is an open-book quiz, you can reference the manual.
   
2. Shifts: Sign up and complete a minimum of six (6) shifts during the two-week tournament. You will be allowed to sign up for shifts on our online scheduling software, once your registration is complete. This will allow you to make travel arrangements.
   • You can start your shifts on Friday, March 6, 2026.
   • Two consecutive shifts may be taken on the same day.
   • Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final shifts are by invitation only based on performance during the first week.
3. Training: Complete a minimum of 4 hours of yearly refresher training or 1 day of Boot Camp. Training sessions will be offered at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and out-of-area locations.
   
4. Orientation/Uniform Distribution: You are welcome to attend one of the orientation/uniform distributions offered Friday, February 27, 2026 from 9am-12pm or if you are arriving later, you can pick up your uniform before your first shift.

Complete the necessary online waivers posted on the registration site.

Read the 2026 BNP Ball Crew Manual and pass the online Ball Crew Quiz. (It is an open-book quiz). Watch the training videos that demonstrate our on-court procedures. Both the Ball Crew manual and videos are posted on the registration website.

New and second-year Ball Crew applications are required to complete a minimum of 10-12 hours of training. Our objective is to be sure that you are “Tournament Ready”. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee “Tournament Ready” status in 10-12 hours of training because it is based on your performance. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you start your training early to ensure that you complete all of the training necessary before tournament day. The Ball Crew Chairs will determine when you have reached that goal.

Ball Crew Members with 2 or more years of experience at the BNP Paribas Open must complete a minimum of 4 hours of yearly refresher training or 1 day of Boot Camp. Training sessions will be offered at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and out-of-area locations.

Indian Wells Boot Camp

• All trainings in Indian Wells will be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden located at 78-200 Miles Avenue, Indian Wells, CA 92210.
• Training times are 10:00 am – 3:00 pm each day with a lunch break from 12:15pm-12:45pm.
• Please bring your own lunch, snacks, and water. Wear athletic clothing and non-marking tennis shoes. You may want to wear layers of clothing in case of weather changes. Enter the facility off Miles Avenue, Gate 7.
• Training Dates:
  • Saturday, January 24, 2026
  • Sunday, January 25, 2026
  • Saturday, January 31, 2026
  • Sunday, February 1, 2026
  • Saturday, February 14, 2026
  • Sunday, February 15, 2026

Off-Site Training: The following are training dates/times/locations for off-site BNP Paribas Open Ball Crew training. Registration is required to attend training.

American Fork, UT
January and February of 2026

Austin, TX
January 24 & 25, 2026
Courtyard Tennis Club,  5608 Courtyard Dr, Austin, TX 78731

Edmonds, WA
January 2026
Harbor Square Athletic Club, 160 W Dayton St, Edmonds, WA 98020

Dana Point, CA
December 2025; January 2026
The Tennis Club at Monarch Beach, 33080 Niguel Rd, Dana Point, CA 92629

Denver, CO
Outdoor training late September/early October of 2025
Dakota Ridge High School and/or D’Evelyn High School

Indoor training late January/early February of 2026
Ken-Caryl Community Center, 1 Club Dr, Littleton, CO 80127

Gold River, CA
September 20 & 21 2025
2201 Gold Rush Dr, Gold River, CA 95670

Sunnyvale, CA
January of 2025
Sunnyvale Training Center, 755 S Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087

San Diego, CA
November and December, 2025
Rancho Penasquitos Tennis Center, 12350 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92128

Santa Barbara, CA
January & February of 2026
Santa Barbara Tennis Club, 2375 Foothill Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Thousand Oaks, CA
January and February 2026
California Lutheran University, 60 W Olsen Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Good luck and we look forward to having you join our team!