December 15, 2025
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — The 2026 Puerto Vallarta College Challenge is set to bring four days of high-level NCAA Division I softball to the shores of the Pacific, as tournament organizers announced the full game schedule for February 11–14.
All games will be broadcast on Triple Crown Sports Network. “We are excited to have TCSN broadcasting all our games and control some of the points of the broadcast we haven’t in the past.We will have on-site reporters, sideline interviews, capturing each game and the Mexico experience. It also gives us the ability to offer replays of the games and top moments later down the line”, says PV College Challenge Founder and Tournament Director, Dave King.
Southern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, UTSA and Long Beach State will square off in a round-robin style slate that features 10 games over four days, giving each program multiple early-season tests against quality opposition in an international setting.
“It’s the joy the players & local kids get in Mexico as they play in an environment that's really pretty unique, meaning people come in there just amazed. And the little girls grow up around the game and get excited to start playing”, King adds. “The college players, half of our rosters have never had a passport. Seeing their eyes light up as they cross into another country, go through customs, and then knowing what it means for their life of being able to have a passport for the rest of their life to be able to travel and not have a fear for it. So those are the fun part. I, myself, like the whole thing, the people on both sides.”
2026 Puerto Vallarta College Challenge Schedule
All times local.
Wednesday, February 11
Thursday, February 12
Friday, February 13
Saturday, February 14
Southern Illinois will be busy early, opening the event with back-to-back games on Wednesday and seeing action in five contests across the four days. Eastern Kentucky also faces a challenging path, including the tournament opener and the finale on Saturday morning.
UTSA’s schedule features three straight days with multiple games, highlighted by a Friday doubleheader against Eastern Kentucky and Long BeachState. Long Beach State makes its tournament debut on Thursday morning and wraps up the event in a Saturday showdown with Eastern Kentucky.
King explains, “We try to get each team at least one game a day, and a couple of days they may have double headers because they want to get what is unique aboutthe place, which is the Mexico experience.”
Additional event details, including ticket information, streaming availability and on-site fan activities, will be announced separately.
Fan Lodging
The Sheraton Buganvillas is the exclusive host hotel of the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, located just a short 5–7 minute walk from the playing field. Guests will enjoy a premier all-inclusive resort experience with convenient access to all tournament action. Click here to submit a request and secure your accommodations at the official tournament rate.
About the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge
The Puerto Vallarta College Challenge brings NCAA Division I softball programs to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for a premier international tournament experience.Featuring top collegiate programs, world-class competition and a scenic coastal setting, the event provides unforgettable moments for teams and fans alike.