🇲🇽🐎 Puerto Vallarta Hosts International Charro Championship (Jan 29 – Feb 1)
For four days at the end of January, Puerto Vallarta swaps beachwear for sombreros as the city hosts the Campeonato Charro Internacional Vallarta 2026 — one of the biggest celebrations of Mexico’s national sport. The event runs Thursday, January 29 through Sunday, February 1 at the Lienzo Charro Miguel “Prieto” Ibarría, and it’s one of those rare experiences that feels both deeply local and very welcoming, even if you’ve never seen charrería before. You can expect: - Around 30 elite charro teams, including several visiting teams from the U.S. - 24 escaramuza squads, known for fast, synchronized riding and incredible precision - Big-name teams like El Soyate, RG2, Charros de Jalisco, Villa Oro, and Tres Regalos - A lively, high-energy crowd that reacts like it’s a championship soccer match 🗓 How the weekend is expected to run - Thursday: Opening activities in the afternoon and evening - Friday & Saturday: Full competition days with charreadas at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. - Sunday: Finals at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., with eight teams battling for the title Beyond the arena, organizers are framing this as a full family-friendly festival, with music, regional food, vendors, and a lot of atmosphere. There’s also a Maleconeada being planned — a charro-style procession along the Malecón that brings the tradition right into the heart of the city and makes for great photos. 🎟 Good to know Tickets are expected to be sold at the venue box office, and the detailed competition schedule is usually shared closer to the event on official social channels. If you’ve ever wanted a low-pressure way to experience Mexican tradition without needing a guidebook, this is a great weekend to put on your calendar. Have any of you been to a charreada before, or will this be your first one? 👇