The event, also known as the BNP Paribas Open, was initially scheduled to take place from March 8 to 21 only to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It has now been confirmed that the ATP Masters 1000 event and Women’s Tennis Association 1000 tournament will be held in October.

The ATP said the move would only happen this year as the Indian Wells Masters is expected to return to its usual March slot in 2021.

"We are ecstatic to have the opportunity to hold the BNP Paribas Open in October and bring professional tennis back to the desert," said tournament director Tommy Haas.

"We have never wavered in our desire to create an unforgettable experience this fall in tennis paradise for our fans, players and sponsors."

ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi added: "Since the resumption of the tour in August 2020, we have had to take an agile approach to the calendar with the aim of staging as many of our events as possible. Everyone in our sport has missed the BNP Paribas Open over the past two years and its return this October is great for tennis.

"The calendar is extremely complex and I would like to thank all events in that section of the season, as we look to accommodate these changes for the benefit of the overall sport."

Last year’s Indian Wells Masters was cancelled on the same day as qualifying for the tournament was due to get underway - a move that attracted criticism from some of the players who were due to compete.

Organisers made the decision following confirmation of a case of coronavirus in the area.

Austria's Dominic Thiem and Canada's Bianca Andreescu are the reigning singles champions after winning the respective men’s and women’s events in 2019.

The ATP has also confirmed that the Stockholm Open will take place from November 7 to 13 - the same week as the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan in Italy.

The event was originally due to be held alongside VTB Kremlin Cup in Russian capital Moscow and European Open in Antwerp in Belgium in mid-October.