“IF”

Former Mexican soccer players will battle at Borderfest this March, rounding out a line-up that already features Janet Jackson, Selena Gomez and many other acts.

Borderfest 2011 takes place March 3 through 6 at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. Janet Jackson, the biggest name on the bill, will perform on the first night of the event. Tickets for her show go on sale 10 a.m. Saturday through Ticketmaster and the State Farm Arena Box Office. Prices for that show begin at $47.

This year, which is the 35^th anniversary of Borderfest, adds sports entertainment to the event. Former Mexican soccer stars from Monterrey-based rivals Los Tigres and Los Rayados will play a seven on seven indoor match. The game is dubbed “Leyendos del Classico Regio.”

It takes place 5 p.m. Sunday, March 6. Tickets for that event go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

The game includes former Rayados stars such as Ticzo Carpizo, Martin Hernandez, Hector Nicanor, Hasim Suarez, Sergio “El Alvin” Perez and more. Representing the Tigres are Luis Hernandez “El Matador,” Antonio Carlos Santos, Juan Guerra, Israel Garcia, Adrian Incapie and more.

On the first night of the event, television network Telemundo is also bringing the popular Spanish-language show “Doce Corazones” to the Valley. This match-making game show will give two local competitors a chance to advance to the nationwide version.

“We are very proud to be celebrating 35 years, so of course Borderfest is bigger than ever,” said Bertha Gonzalez, spokeswoman for State Farm Arena.

The theme for this year’s Borderfest is Hawaii, and officials said there will be a luau each night and many other events. For more information about the event, as well as a full list of activities and acts, visit http://www.borderfest.org/.