FORT COLLINS, CO – The NCAA D-I softball season will once again find its perfect opening destination on the Pacific coast of Mexico, as the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge has announced its lineup for 2026.
The 10th edition of the event will run Feb. 11-14, 2026, at Nancy Almaraz Stadium in Puerto Vallarta, MX. Teams and fans will be hosted at the oceanside Sheraton Buganvilias Resort & Convention Center, the official host hotel just a short walk from the field.
This year’s field features a competitive mix of programs eager to launch their seasons under the Mexican sun:
- Eastern Kentucky
- Long Beach State
- Southern Illinois
- UTSA
- Full Field, but room for one more! (Contact us today)
“Triple Crown Sports is really proud to host this event again given the changing landscape in college athletics,” said Tournament Director Dave King. “Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place to start a new softball season. Between the energy of the games, the beauty of the Pacific coast, and the chance for teams and fans to share this experience together, the event is truly one-of-a-kind in college athletics.”
Beyond the action on the field, Puerto Vallarta continues to charm visitors with its walkable layout, rich culture, and vibrant nightlife. From cobblestone streets and bustling markets to the breathtaking sunsets of Banderas Bay, the city offers fans an unforgettable setting to pair with top-tier college softball.
Fan Lodging & Tickets
Fan lodging packages are available. Explore your options for a relaxing, safe, and convenient stay steps away from the action:
Fan Lodging – Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
Tickets for the 2026 Puerto Vallarta College Challenge can also be purchased in advance here:
Tickets – Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
About Triple Crown Sports
Based in Fort Collins, CO, Triple Crown Sports has been producing youth, high school and college events for more than 40 years. TCS runs both the Postseason WNIT basketball event and produces the men’s and women’s DI Cancun Challenge tournaments in November. Triple Crown also powers the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) and launched the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in 2015, which annually features more than 10 of the top DI college softball teams in Puerto Vallarta, MX. Anchored by the 1,200-team Colorado 4th of July event, TC fastpitch softball tournaments draw the nation’s finest club programs, and hundreds of college coaches attend TCS events for recruiting purposes. The company also produces one of the largest youth baseball events in the world with the 700-team Omaha SlumpBuster during the College World Series. The Triple Crown Volleyball NIT has become the top-recruited club volleyball event in the country each February when 550 teams compete in Kansas City, MO.