Madrid Review – 13 May 2026
19 de May de 2026
Antonio Ferrera produced the standout moments of the fifth San Isidro fixture in a bullfight marked by the lack of fighting spirit and tame behaviour of the Partido de Resina bulls.
Every ending carries a touch of melancholy, but at Las Ventas, the nostalgia for what’s passing is countered by the excitement for what’s to come, and the close of the 2024 season is nothing short of magnificent. A Golden Autumn marked by the farewell of Ponce, yet with countless other attractions that we break down in the following paragraphs:
Ponce is leaving, a legendary figure of the bullfighting world for over three decades. On Saturday, September 28th, he will bid farewell to Las Ventas, confirming the doctorate of one of the newest matadors in the rankings, Samuel Navalón (who will receive his alternative at the upcoming Feria de Albacete), and joining him will be the sensation of San Isidro, David Galván. The bulls will be from Garcigrande and Juan Pedro Domecq.
The stars return. Not long ago, the top bullfighters were reluctant to fight in Madrid at this time of year, but with Plaza 1, the exception has become the rule. This 2024, Manzanares (Friday, October 4th) and Roca Rey (Sunday, October 6th) take on the commitment to return to Las Ventas at this season’s end.
Two stellar mano a mano duels. Two clashes that will spark excitement. They make sense, and there will be competition. Borja Jiménez and Fernando Adrián on Saturday, October 5th. The two young bullfighters who have claimed the most attention in the past two seasons with a top-tier breeding stock like Victoriano del Río, and two seasoned masters like Perera and Emilio de Justo, no less than with Victorino bulls, to close the season on Hispanic Day. Who will win both duels? Bullfighting, undoubtedly.
The young ones don’t shy away and stand tall. Román, who has already cut two ears this year in Madrid, and Tomás Rufo, a pillar of the new generation, will face Manzanares on October 4th, and Víctor Hernández, who dazzled as a novice in Madrid in 2022 and is the brand-new winner of this season’s Copa Chenel, will take on Roca Rey on Sunday, October 6th, in a lineup rounded off by another “Madrid” bullfighter, Paco Ureña, who will certainly not be a mere bystander in the contest.
The novilladas complete the program. Highlighted novices throughout the year, like Chicharro, and summer standouts like Valentín Hoyos, will have their chance to prove themselves once again before the experts. And as a grand finale, the final of the Camino towards Las Ventas, on the morning of October 12th. A double session on the last bullfighting day of the year at Las Ventas, ensuring the close is truly memorable.
Antonio Ferrera produced the standout moments of the fifth San Isidro fixture in a bullfight marked by the lack of fighting spirit and tame behaviour of the Partido de Resina bulls.
The young matador from Salamanca stood out at Las Ventas with a brave and determined performance during a demanding afternoon with the La Quinta bulls.
The Sevillian matador will face six bulls alone in the Corrida In Memoriam dedicated to Ignacio Sánchez Mejías on 7 June at Las Ventas.
The Valencian matador claimed the only trophy of the afternoon at San Isidro after a strong performance against the best bull from Conde de Mayalde. David Galván impressed despite suffering a heavy knock.
The Madrid-born novillero cut one ear from each Montealto youngster to deliver the standout performance of the novillada series at Las Ventas.
The Extremaduran matador walked out through the Puerta Grande after cutting two ears from an outstanding Núñez del Cuvillo bull at Las Ventas.
