Puerto Vallarta has opened Puerto Vallarta, Encuentro del Mundo, a new public art exhibition that places 16 monumental soccer balls in high-traffic visitor areas as Jalisco celebrates its role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The pieces stand about 1.5 meters tall and were decorated by local artists and students from the University of Veracruz. According to the municipal government, the artworks will be displayed along the Malecón, in Marina Vallarta, and at the Puerto Vallarta airport, giving travelers several easy places to see them while moving around the city.
The exhibition was promoted by Mayor Luis Munguía through the Directorate of Economic Promotion and Tourism. Officials described the project as more than a sports celebration, saying the painted spheres are intended to show Puerto Vallarta’s history, traditions, artistic talent, and connection to an international event being felt across Jalisco.
Artists named in local coverage include Josué Reyes González, Antonio Collantes, Sergio Díaz López, Javier Correa, and Ernesto Solís Vargas. Their designs turn the soccer-ball form into a compact open-air gallery, linking the World Cup atmosphere with the city’s everyday cultural landscape.
For visitors, the practical takeaway is simple: keep an eye out for the installations while walking the waterfront, visiting Marina Vallarta, or passing through PVR. The exhibition adds a free, family-friendly photo stop to the city’s June calendar.
