Indian Wells has dished out its wild cards for the 2026 event, with high-profile names joining exciting up-and-coming US talent.
Gael Monfils has been given entry into the Masters tournament, which will act as his final-ever Indian Wells.
Venus Williams will also return at the competition, which will act as her fifth tournament of the year, after taking part in the Australian swing and the ATX Open.
Indian Wells is set to be even more star-studded with a bumper 13 names given direct entry across the ATP and WTA Tour.
The full list of Indian Wells wild card entries
Indian Wells is often considered an unofficial fifth Grand Slam, due to its popularity and bumper 96 player field.
The wild cards are a major signifier of that, with several exciting names propping up both the men’s and women’s list.
The men’s list has largely been saved for rising talent, despite Monfils’ entry to play his last Indian Wells event.
It’s the end of the 2026 season… How many matches has Venus Williams won this year? Where is she ranked? Let us know in the comments👇
Americans Martin Damm, Michael Zheng, and Zachary Svajda will compete at the Masters events, following their impressive starts to the season.
Zheng won his first Grand Slam match by defeating Sebastian Korda at the Australian Open, while Svajda recently took Frances Tiafoe to the limit at the Delray Beach Open.
Damm, meanwhile, recently enjoyed an impressive spell in Montpelier, where he reached the semi-finals of the ATP 250 event.
The 22-year-old picked up victories against Roberto Bautista Agut, Hubert Hurkacz, and Luca Nardi, as he rose to World No. 128 in the world.
ATP Indian Wells wild cards
- Gael Monfils
- Martin Damm
- Michael Zheng
- Rafael Jodar
- Zachary Svajda
The women’s wild cards are far more star-studded, with two Grand Slam champions joining Williams in the draw.
Bianca Andreescu and Sloane Stephens will both play the event, while Australian Open finalist Jennifer Brady will also make her return.
Elsewhere, fellow Americans Alycia Parks and Katie Volynets have been awarded wild cards, whilst Donna Vekic and rising star Lilli Tagger will also compete.
WTA Indian Wells wild cards
- Venus Williams
- Donna Vekic
- Sloane Stephens
- Bianca Andreescu
- Jennifer Brady
- Lilli Tagger
- Alycia Parks
- Katie Volynets
Stan Wawrinka surprisingly misses out on Indian Wells
Whilst many of the 13 wild card names for Indian Wells contain major star power, it’s a surprise to see Stan Wawrinka miss the cut.
The three-time Grand Slam champion is set to retire at the end of the year, so he will now not be given the chance to wave goodbye to his fans at Indian Wells.
Stan Wawrinka or Andy Murray… who is the greater player? Let us know why below 👇
Wawrinka has already been given wild cards at the Australian Open, Dubai, Montpelier, and Rotterdam, so it’s somewhat bemusing to see Indian Wells not follow suit.
The Swiss star has proved he is worthy of those wild cards, too, having already picked up six victories in 2026.
Wawrinka’s next chance to say goodbye to his American fans will now be at the Miami Open, should he receive a wild card.
