Tennis = big stadium dining
The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells set new records for food and beverage sales this year, with fans flocking to more than 40 on‑site eateries — tennis is increasingly a culinary event. And Eater named Kelowna one of the world’s top 15 places to eat in 2026, citing its restaurants and UNESCO City of Gastronomy status. (10sballs.com) (castanetkamloops.net)
The tournament drew 527,626 fans across March 1–15, surpassing previous totals, with the middle weekend (March 6–8) hosting 176,264 attendees and a single‑day high of 60,781 on Saturday, March 7. (10sballs.com) Organizers added new on‑site operators for 2026, naming Sweetfin, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese and Pacha Mamas as concession partners and keeping stadium restaurants such as Nobu, Porta Via and Ristorante Mamma Gina on the roster. (sodexolive.us) The venue rebuilt the Circle of Palms into a two‑story open‑air dining structure this year and partnered with Veroni as the official charcuterie provider for that space. (sodexolive.us) Sodexo Live! operates the Indian Wells food and beverage program under a multi‑year hospitality agreement announced in August 2023, and the operator previously reported a roughly 40% jump in F&B revenue and a 25% rise in per‑cap spending after taking over. (sodexolive.com) Eater’s “Top 15 Food Destinations to Visit in 2026” list included Kelowna among global picks that also named Bengaluru, Cape Town, the Isle of Skye, Milan and Traverse City. (eater.com) Kelowna was officially designated Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy on October 31, 2025, a recognition the city and its tourism board tied to local agriculture, beverage production and sustainable food initiatives. (kelowna.ca) Local and national coverage cited Kelowna restaurants such as Kin & Folk when explaining Eater’s pick, and Kin & Folk is led by Chef Zachary Chan with locations and menus promoted on the restaurant’s site. (castanet.net)
