Review Madrid – 17 May 2026
17 de May de 2026
During a full month of bullfighting, there are line-ups of every kind. That’s why Servitoro breaks them down and groups them together so you know exactly what you’re going to see — and, above all, which event to choose. Here are our top picks for this year’s fair.
The 2026 San Isidro Fair presents a different kind of season ticket series. Above all, the new generation of matadors has taken centre stage in many of the combinations — young bullfighters with huge potential and all the qualities needed to lead the main fairs in the seasons to come.
The company Plaza1 has chosen to back this new wave while still counting on the established top figures, who will go head-to-head with these ambitious newcomers. This balance gives the current edition of Madrid’s most important bullfighting festival a particularly exciting edge. In this article, we introduce the matadors you should watch closely — the possible stars of tomorrow. You’ve been warned!
Among the names generating the greatest expectations are David de Miranda and Víctor Hernández. Although not yet fully established as top figures, both matadors showed remarkable promise last season. David de Miranda, for instance, opened Seville’s famous Puerta del Príncipe and was crowned overall winner of the Málaga Fair after a powerful performance that gained even more attention thanks to television coverage.
Víctor Hernández also made a strong impact in Madrid during both the San Isidro and Autumn fairs. Despite drawing difficult bulls, he impressed spectators with performances that reminded many fans of José Tomás. Both matadors are scheduled to appear together on 24 May alongside Fortes (one of last year’s revelations) to face bulls from Alcurrucén, as well as other notable engagements.
There are also line-ups featuring matadors who stood out in this same festival last year — interestingly, they are paired together again. On Wednesday 27 May, Isaac Fonseca, Jarocho and José Fernando Molina will take on bulls from Pedraza de Yeltes, one of last season’s most successful ranches thanks to the celebrated bull “Brigadier”. Fonseca triumphed with that animal — considered by many the best of the fair — while Molina and Jarocho have both previously opened the Puerta Grande at Las Ventas during their novice stages.
Finally, we must mention the three matadors confirming their alternative at Las Ventas: French bullfighter Tristán Barroso, Mexican matador Bruno Aloi — winner of the latest “Cénate Las Ventas” competition held here last summer — and Manuel Diosleguarde from Salamanca, whose promising career was halted by a serious goring in Cuéllar in 2022 and who now faces this challenge fully recovered and mentally prepared.
These are the line-ups where, in Servitoro’s opinion, the hidden gems of this year’s fair may emerge. Make a note of them!
Friday 8 May – 7:00 pm
Bulls from Núñez del Cuvillo for Alejandro Talavante, Juan Ortega and Tristán Barroso (confirmation).
Thursday 14 May – 7:00 pm
Bulls from El Parralejo for Sebastián Castella, Daniel Luque and David de Miranda.
Saturday 16 May – 7:00 pm
Bulls from La Quinta for El Cid, Álvaro Lorenzo and Manuel Diosleguarde (confirmation).
Sunday 24 May – 7:00 pm
Bulls from Alcurrucén for Fortes, David de Miranda and Víctor Hernández.
Wednesday 27 May – 7:00 pm
Bulls from Pedraza de Yeltes for Isaac Fonseca, Molina and Jarocho.
Thursday 28 May – 7:00 pm – Press Bullfight
Bulls from Juan Pedro Domecq for Diego Urdiales, Roca Rey and Bruno Aloi (confirmation).
Wednesday 3 June – 7:00 pm
Bulls from Lagunajanda for José Garrido, Ismael Martín and Samuel Navalón.
Thursday 4 June – 7:00 pm
Bulls from Jandilla and Vegahermosa for Emilio de Justo, Borja Jiménez and Víctor Hernández.
Sunday 14 June – 7:00 pm – Charity Bullfight
Bulls from Victoriano del Río and Toros de Cortés for Alejandro Talavante, Roca Rey and Víctor Hernández.
