Review Madrid – 2 October 2025
3 de October de 2025
Madrid in August is alive and far from the outdated clichés of a sleepy summer city. Among the many cultural and leisure options on offer during the heat of the season, bullfighting remains a thrilling experience. With later starting times adapted to modern lifestyles and an attractive, diverse programme, an evening at Las Ventas is a compelling choice for both locals and visitors.
Following the recent success of the Cénate Las Ventas summer series, the company Plaza 1 has chosen to maintain the same schedule for the rest of the bullfighting events this season: every Thursday from 31 July to 28 August, all beginning at 9:00 p.m.
Gone is the stifling heat that usually scorches the granite benches of Las Ventas. Instead, spectators can now enjoy the cool night air and the unique atmosphere of watching a bullfight by moonlight. Whether with family or friends, even dining during or after the event, the mood is relaxed and festive. It’s a plan that rivals any other summer evening activity in the capital.
The schedule includes two full bullfights—one of them on 15 August, the traditional feast day of the Virgen de la Paloma, a local Madrid celebration—alongside two novilladas (fights with young bulls for novice matadors) and two rejoneo events (bullfights on horseback). The latter are grouped under the title Feria del Caballo or “Horse Festival.” The full programme is as follows:
Thursday 31 July, 9:00 p.m. – Bullfight
Bulls from Juan Luis Fraile.
Matadors: Rubén Pinar, Rafael Cerro, and Raúl Rivera (confirming his alternativa).
Thursday 7 August, 9:00 p.m. – Novillada with picadors
Young bulls from Los Maños.
Novilleros: El Mella (debut), Cid de María, and Ignacio Candelas (debut).
Thursday 14 August, 9:00 p.m. – Novillada with picadors
Young bulls from Aurelio Hernando.
Novilleros: Álvaro Seseña, Valentín Hoyos, and David López (debut).
Friday 15 August, 9:00 p.m. – Bullfight
Bulls from El Torero.
Matadors: Lama de Góngora (confirming his alternativa), Rafa Serna, and José Fernando Molina.
Thursday 21 August, 9:00 p.m. – Rejoneo (horseback bullfight)
Bulls from Fermín Bohórquez.
Riders: Joao Moura Caetano, Emiliano Gamero, Sergio Domínguez, Ferrer Martín (confirming), Paco Velasquez, and Adrián Venegas (confirming).
Thursday 28 August, 9:00 p.m. – Rejoneo
Bulls from Fermín Bohórquez.
Riders: Filipe Gonçalves (confirming), Roberto Armendáriz, Iván Magro, Ana Rita, Andrés Romero, and Luís Rouxinol Jr (confirming).
A distinctly torista spirit, featuring three prestigious and respected bloodlines: Juan Luis Fraile (Graciliano lineage), Los Maños (Santa Coloma origin), and Aurelio Hernando (Veragua heritage).
Two matadors confirming their alternativa (Raúl Rivera from Toledo and Lama de Góngora from Seville) and three novilleros making their debut at Las Ventas (El Mella from Extremadura, Ignacio Candelas from Málaga, and David López from Colmenar Viejo).
Two rejoneo events featuring top young riders, including several alternative confirmations and a strong Portuguese presence adding flair and variety. Both events will showcase bulls from Fermín Bohórquez, a prestigious and reliable breeder for these types of spectacles.
Summer nights in Madrid just got more exciting—come experience the tradition under a different light.
Bullfighting journalist
