Few people realize that each year a NCAA basketball tournament takes place in Cancun, yes that's right, Cancun. In 2012, the Cancun Challenge will take place November 20-24 at the AAA Four-Diamond Property, the Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort.
Games are played in a ballroom converted to an arena — Photo courtesy of Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort
The men's tournament will consist of eight Division 1 teams separated into two divisions; Riviera and Maya. This year DePaul (Big East), Iowa (Big Ten), Wichita State (Missouri Valley) and Western Kentucky (Sun Belt) are just a few of the teams participating. The men will play on November 20 and 21 in a ballroom converted into a basketball arena. The women will play on November 22 and 23 and featured teams include Green Bay, James Madison, Minnesota, Missouri, Richmond and Wichita State. All of the teams that are participating in the event will stay at the Moon Palace. (Don't you feel sorry for them?)
Watch NCAA basketball in paradise — Photo courtesy of Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort
Palace Resorts prides itself on having created a new "awe-inclusive" resort category and is the first resort chain to present international artists and world-class entertainment including Shakira, Jon Secada, Enrique Iglesias and the Broadway hit, Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy. This December 29th, Usher, their biggest artist yet will perform in concert at the Moon Palace.
Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort is located about 15 minutes south of downtown Cancun on a white sand beach and the turquoise blue Caribbean Sea and features 2,400 guest rooms and villa suites, two children’s pools, the Golf Club pool, six Jacuzzis, four swim-up bars and additional amenities like a water sports marina, a world-class spa and a fully equipped fitness center.
For more information about the Cancun Challenge, please visit www.cancunchallenge.net.