The Season Begins at Las Ventas: Just What You’ve Been Waiting For
4 de February de 2026
San Isidro is not just about star-studded line-ups and renowned matadors. Servitoro takes you through the three novilladas included in the festival, as well as the early-season novilladas, so you can get to know the most promising young bullfighters of recent times. Don’t believe us? Come to Las Ventas and see for yourself!
This generation of novilleros is one of the most exciting in decades—not just because of their talent and potential, but also due to their unique styles and approaches in the ring. Many of them are set to perform in the prestigious San Isidro Fair, the ultimate proving ground for young bullfighters.
Before they step onto Madrid’s most demanding stage this spring, Servitoro introduces them to you. Learn about their early careers, achievements, and what makes them special. Because soon, these names will be on everyone’s lips.
Alcurrucén bulls for Sergio Sánchez, Aarón Palacio, and Javier Zulueta. This is the first novillada of the fair, featuring three debutants at Las Ventas. Sergio Sánchez, from Extremadura, won the Novilladas Circuit of his region. A solid and classic torero from the rich bullfighting tradition of Badajoz. Aarón Palacio, from Aragón, represents a refined and traditional style. He won the Zapato de Oro in Arnedo last year and impressed in his Bilbao debut. Javier Zulueta, from the renowned Seville school, is a more artistic torero. He dominated competitions as a non-mounted novillero and confirmed his potential when moving up to mounted novilladas, recently making a strong impact in Valdemorillo.
Alcurrucén bulls for Fabio Jiménez, El Mene, and Tomás Bastos. The second novillada of the fair features a returning Fabio Jiménez, who captivated audiences in last year’s nocturnal novilladas. He is joined by two debutants: El Mene and Tomás Bastos. Fabio, originally from La Rioja but trained in Salamanca, has a style that prioritises substance over spectacle. El Mene, an Aragonese bullfighter trained in Salamanca, is known for his elegance. In just 15 novilladas, he took the Vid de Oro in Arganda, the Alfarero in Villaseca, and the Castilla y León Circuit. Tomás Bastos, the great Portuguese hope, is a torero with instinct, versatility, and a fresh approach. He is also guided by the legendary Cristina Sánchez.
The last novillada of the fair will see Marco Pérez make his Madrid debut—and at the same time, bid farewell to his novillero career. The young Salamanca prodigy, who has been the talk of the bullfighting world, will take his alternative in Nîmes just days later. Before that, he will face six bulls from El Freixo and Fuente Ymbro in Las Ventas. A bold challenge that proves he is not just another name. This is one of the most anticipated events of San Isidro and undoubtedly one of the greatest tests of the entire fair.
Outside the official fair, several exciting debutants are also worth watching. Emiliano Osornio, a Mexican novillero who turned heads last year with his elegant style in Villaseca and Arnedo, and Mariscal Ruiz, a torero from Seville with deep bullfighting lineage, who won Camino Hacia Las Ventas in 2023. They will perform alongside Diego Bastos on Sunday, 30 March, with bulls from Fuente Ymbro.
Another notable debutant is Cid de María, trained at the Guadalajara school, who will appear in the novillada concurso on 4 May, alongside Cristiano Torres and Mexican novillero Bruno Aloi.
The only novillada without debutants is scheduled for 6 April, featuring bulls from Sánchez Herrero and performances by Álvaro Chinchón, Miguel Andrades, and Manuel Caballero—the son of the former matador of the same name.
The novilladas of Las Ventas offer a unique chance to witness the next great figures of bullfighting before they rise to stardom. If you’re visiting Madrid, don’t miss the opportunity to see these young talents in action—the future of bullfighting starts here!
Periodista taurino
