Who was Ignacio Sánchez Mejías?
15 de January de 2026
For several years now, the San Isidro Fair has been a stage for confirmations. Plaza1 ensures that some of the matadors who have made the biggest impact in their early careers confirm their alternativa at the world’s most prestigious bullring during Madrid’s biggest festival. A successful performance here can open doors to major ferias. At Servitoro, we bring you the six matadors making their confirmation this season so you can take note of their names before anyone else
A total of six matadors will take the stage at Las Ventas for the first time as full-fledged bullfighters during the upcoming San Isidro Fair. These six young men, representing different nationalities, not only add an international touch to the festival but also bring youthful energy to the most important bullfighting event in the world, turning it into the perfect launchpad for their careers—and for the future of bullfighting itself.
At Servitoro, we analyse each of these matadors, their careers so far, their distinctive styles, and the form they bring into this crucial event in their professional journey, so you don’t miss a thing. These are the toreros who will confirm their alternativa in this year’s San Isidro.
This French matador, currently the most talked-about bullfighter in his country, will be the first to confirm his alternativa, as he is scheduled to perform in the opening event of the feria. A refined and artistic torero, he is undoubtedly the most elegant of all the matadors emerging from France in recent years. He has delivered impressive performances in rings such as Gamarde, Saint Vincent de Tyrosse, Dax, and Mont de Marsan. He will take to the arena on Friday, 9th May, sharing the bill with Talavante and Juan Ortega, with bulls from Victoriano del Río.
A homegrown Madrid talent from Miraflores de la Sierra, Chicharro will make his first appearance at Las Ventas as a matador on the very day of San Isidro. On Thursday, 15th May, this young and courageous torero—who last year opened the grand gate of Las Ventas and had an outstanding season as a novillero—will confirm his alternativa. His official graduation to the matador ranks is set to take place during the upcoming Fallas Fair. He will be accompanied in the ring by Paco Ureña, his godfather in the ceremony, and David Galván as the witness. The bulls will come from José Enrique Fraile de Valdefresno.
A familiar face to Spanish and Las Ventas audiences, this determined Mexican torero developed his skills as a novillero in Spain before returning to his homeland, where he received an alternativa of great prestige and established himself as a fearless matador. His ability to remain steadfast in the face of danger, coupled with his technical proficiency when conditions allow, makes him an exciting prospect. Expect intense emotions on Sunday, 25th May, when he enters the ring alongside Curro Díaz and Román, facing bulls from Fuente Ymbro.
A Sevillian matador who endured a harrowing experience in this very arena years ago when he suffered a serious goring during a summer novillada. Since earning his matador status, opportunities have been scarce, particularly in recent seasons. However, he now finds himself in a top-tier lineup on Thursday, 29th May, where he will take on bulls from El Torero, sharing the bill with Diego Urdiales and Andrés Roca Rey. This is undoubtedly the chance he has been waiting for to reclaim his place in the bullfighting world.
The latest talent to emerge from Albacete’s thriving bullfighting scene, Peñaranda is known for his composed and precise technique, a hallmark of toreros from his Manchegan homeland. He made a strong impression last year at Las Ventas and during San Isidro, then as a novillero. Now, a year later, he returns as a matador, eager to prove he belongs at the highest level. His confirmation takes place on Wednesday, 4th June, with Manuel Escribano as his godfather and Mexican torero Joselito Adame as his witness. The bulls will be from Lagunajanda.
The final torero to confirm his alternativa this year is this young talent from Salamanca. His confirmation is set for Friday, 6th June, in the penultimate event of the festival. A versatile and resourceful matador, Martín possesses the intuition and skill to handle whatever challenges the bulls present. Last year, he cut an ear at San Isidro as a novillero, and now, a year later, he returns as a fully-fledged matador. He will share the bill with El Fandi and Samuel Navalón, facing bulls from Conde de Mayalde.
However, these are not the only confirmations taking place in Madrid this spring. On 2nd May, during the traditional Goyesque event, Diego García, a torero from San Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid), will also confirm his alternativa. Additionally, on Saturday, 31st May, during the second rejoneo event of the festival, the Granada-born Sebastián Fernández will do the same in the mounted bullfighting discipline.
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