Kurt Beecher Dammeier, the owner of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, has long been a traveler from Seattle to the Coachella Valley. Now, he’s bringing a taste of his renowned cheese to the desert, as part of an exciting culinary refresh for the 2026 BNP Paribas Open.

The BNP Paribas Open, the largest tennis tournament outside the four Grand Slams, takes place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden from March 1-15. Drawing over half a million fans each year, this year’s event will feature significant updates, including three new dining options throughout the venue and a brand-new, two-story open-air structure dedicated to food and beverages within the revamped Circle of Palms.

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese will make its debut inside Stadium 1, offering tennis fans a taste of its celebrated Seattle-based artisan cheeses. Visitors can look forward to indulging in award-winning mac and cheese, tomato cheddar soup, and the popular Flagship cheese.

“Indian Wells is a passion project for me,” Dammeier shared. “This is our first venture of this kind outside of Washington state.”

Dammeier is enthusiastic about introducing fans to his creations, offering both traditional concessions and unique items in the suites. These include mini cheeseboards for patrons to enjoy in their seats and grilled cheese sandwiches paired perfectly with the creamy mac and cheese the brand is famous for. He believes the location is ideal for spotlighting their cheese, noting, “Our mac and cheese is outstanding and well-suited for a quick-service environment.”

“Indian Wells is a passion project for me,” Dammeier tells me. “This is the first time trying to operate something like this out of state.”

Dammeier says he hopes the fans enjoy it as much as he’s excited to bring it to them, serving up concessions and specialty items in suites, including mini cheeseboards available to bring back to the Stadium 1 seats and grilled cheese sandwiches to serve alongside the brand’s well-known creamy mac and cheese. He says the shop, which operates in airports and Seattle-area stadiums, is suited to showcasing cheese because “Our mac and cheese being so good and so easy to operate in a fast-serve environment.”

Also new this year is Santa Monica-based Sweetfin, which brings its California-inspired signature poke bowls to the Food Village, and Las Vegas-based Pacha Mamas offering Peruvian rice bowls with freshly grilled meats and vegetables as a concession option in Stadium 2.

“A thoughtfully curated food and beverage program is an essential part of the Tennis Paradise experience, and the 2026 improvements reflect our continued focus on enhancing the on-site offering for fans,” says Philippe Dore, the tournament’s chief marketing officer.

The tournament ground’s Circle of Palms readies an upgrade with the debut of the Veroni Charcuterie and Champagne Lounge. At the heart of the site, the update highlights a two-story, open-air structure with full food and beverage service, including Veroni’s charcuterie offerings.

A handful of fan favorites are back for 2026 as well, including Nobu Indian Wells, Ristorante Mamma Gina and Mole Ingenious Mexican Kitchen all returning to Stadium 2. Nobu diners can overlook the Stadium 2 court, capturing tennis action while dining at one of the more luxurious options on a tennis site.

Puesto, John’s and Chef Tanya’s Kitchen all return to the site, along with MOTO Pizza, another Seattle-based favorite. In all, the 2026 BNP Paribas Open will feature over 40 culinary vendors, including a wide mixture of Coachella Valley favorites. The offerings are created in conjunction with Sodexo Live!, the tournament’s hospitality partner.

“From the reimagined Circle of Palms to a wider range of dining options,” Dore says, “there is always something for everyone to enjoy this spring.”

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