Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - After a seven-year absence, following the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship 2010, which served as a qualifier for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup a year later, Puerto Vallarta returns to the international beach soccer circuit this week with a top-drawer event that's part of the sport's global tour.

Part of the Beach Soccer Worldwide Tour, the Visit Puerto Vallarta Cup 2017 is a new addition to the global BSWW Tour that will be televised and watched by sports fans in more than 250 million homes in America, Europe, Asia and North Africa.

As the tournament is set to take place between October 20th and 22nd on the IPEJAL grounds in front of the Agustin Flores Contreras Municipal Stadium, an area typically used for world-class beach volleyball competitions, the Puerto Vallarta Public Works Department has been busy getting the grounds ready for this important event.

Part of the work entails building a "bowl" to expand the arena. Once all of the technical specifications have been met, the rest of the stadium, including the spectator stands, will begin this week and be completed prior to the tournament's inauguration on Friday.

Organized by the Municipal Tourism department with the support of the Municipal Sports Council (COMUDE) and sanctioned by FIFA Beach Soccer Worldwide, the Visit Puerto Vallarta Cup 2017 also marks a new collaboration between the Mexican Football Federation (FEMEXFUT) and Beach Soccer Worldwide, which will see both bodies work jointly to develop the sport further in Mexico, a country of great importance to the sport.

Guillermo Cantú, secretario general de FEMEXFUT said: "We are very happy to be working in conjunction with Beach Soccer Worldwide to further the development of beach soccer in Mexico. Without doubt, this is a great opportunity to work as a team for the mutual benefit of all parties."

Beach Soccer Worldwide vice-president Joan Cuscó expressed his pleasure at seeing Puerto Vallarta return to the sport's elite tour, saying: "Puerto Vallarta is without doubt one of the heartlands of beach soccer, a place where the sport has always been welcomed and accommodated extremely well. The passion of the Mexican public, combined with the array of facilities and services available makes for a perfect formula. We are very happy to see international beach soccer return to Puerto Vallarta."

For his part, Puerto Vallarta Mayor Arturo Davalos Peña, said: "Promoting sports alongside other activities to boost tourism is a key priority for our administration, so it's a great pleasure for me to be able to welcome the Visit Puerto Vallarta Cup. Thank you to Beach Soccer Worldwide and the Mexican Football Federation for joining forces and bringing this important event – packed with fun and energy – to Puerto Vallarta."

According to Beach Soccer Worldwide, the United States, France and Colombia, along with host Mexico, will be the four teams that will compete in the 2017 Puerto Vallarta Cup. And with this first-class tournament, Puerto Vallarta is taking another step forward in boosting its standing as a world-class destination for beach soccer competitions.

The public is invited to come watch the games. Admission is free.

2017 Puerto Vallarta Cup Schedule

Friday, October 20
3:45 pm - USA vs France (Men)
5:30 pm - Colombia vs Mexico (Men)

Saturday, October 21
1:00 pm - Spain vs Mexico (Women)
2:15 pm - USA vs Colombia (Men)
3:30 pm - Mexico vs France (Men)

Sunday, October 22
1:00 pm - Mexico vs Spain (Women)
2:15 pm - France vs Colombia (Men)
3:30 pm - Mexico vs USA (Men)