Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Every May, hot and heavy sporting events fire up competitive spirits for the Puerto Vallarta International Sports Classic. Offering a weekend full of fun for all ages, this year's Sports Classic competitions will take place from May 15-17th, 2015.

Based at the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort and Convention Center, events will be held at the municipal stadium, the municipal gym, and every available soccer field in Puerto Vallarta.

The brainchild of former Olympic basketball champion, Howard Kelsey, the International Sports Classic is celebrating its 26th year of bringing teams from all over North and South America to Puerto Vallarta to compete against Banderas Bay area athletes and school children in a series of basketball competitions and the Copa Vallarta children's soccer tournament, one of the most important amateur soccer events in Mexico.

XXVI International Sports Classic Events

• Basketball - Some of our best local teams with the participation of national professional athletes and active and retired NBA players. This year brings back the children category (12-13 year olds) and the women's division. In years past, the final game of the tournament has pitted a Mexican team against an all-star team of former Olympic and professional athletes from the U.S. and Canada. Between youth teams, masters and veterans, 20+ teams are expected to participate. Games will be played at both the AFC Municipal Gym and the Municipal Stadium courts from Friday, May 15th to Sunday the 17th. The semifinals will be held on Saturday, May 16th at 2 pm and the finals on Sunday, May 17th at 9 am in the AFC municipal gym.

• Copa Vallarta Soccer: One of the most important amateur soccer events in Mexico. Both males and females from 6 to 18 years of age will be competing in multiple categories at various venues around the city from May 13-17, 2015. The kids will be utilizing every available soccer field in Vallarta every day from 8 am to 8 pm.

• Seminar: The Canadian Consul in Guadalajara will give a "Imagine Studying in Canada" conference with representatives from Mexico's offices of education for the provinces of Alberta and Ontario, Edu-inter (a language/high school in Quebec), the Vancouver Language Center of BC, Educational Destinations and Incredible Canada (both Canadian educational agencies); who will share information about the opportunity to study in Canada with participants through presentations and a mini expo. There will also be a raffle for a scholarship to study English in Vancouver for one month. The conference will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2015, from 4:30-7:30 pm at the Sheraton Buganvilias Convention Center. Admission is free.

Along with promoting sports, the XXVI International Sports Classic makes for an unforgettable time with friends, family, and local athletes from Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. Everyone is invited to come out and watch the games. Admission to all sporting events is free.

For more information, contact XXVI Sports Classic Coordinator, Lic. Veronica Alarcon Franco at veroalarcon2009(at)gmail.com.