Pamplona bullfighting schedule 2026: Tickets & San Fermín guide

If you’re planning to attend a Pamplona bullfighting event during San Fermín 2026, checking the schedule is only the first step. The real challenge is getting a good seat before the best dates sell out.

The Feria del Toro is one of the most famous bullfighting festivals in Spain. Every morning from July 7 to July 14, the bulls run through Pamplona’s old town during the encierro. Later that same day, those bulls are fought in the Plaza de Toros Monumental de Pamplona.

Below, you’ll find the complete official 2026 Pamplona bullfighting schedule. But remember: seeing the date is easy. Getting the right ticket is the hard part.

Ready to book? If you already know your dates, I recommend securing your seats immediately to avoid disappointment: Check how to buy Pamplona bullfight tickets online.

Unsure how to choose? If you don’t know the difference between Sol and Sombra seats, or you want to avoid the chaotic San Fermín box office situation, read my complete tutorial: How to buy Pamplona bullfight tickets easily and safely.

Table of Contents

Quick summary: 2026 Pamplona bullfighting season at a glance

Key event	2026 date	Ticket demand	Recommendation
Novillada	July 5	Medium	A cheaper introduction before San Fermín officially begins.
Rejones	July 6	High	A visual horseback bullfighting event on the opening day of the festival.
Opening corrida	July 7	Very high	Book early. It’s the first full San Fermín bullfight.
Roca Rey & Talavante	July 9	Extreme	One of the strongest lineups of the 2026 Feria del Toro. Book now.
Morante de la Puebla	July 10	Extreme	The artistic highlight of the festival. Book now.
Miura bulls	July 13	Very high	A must-see for visitors interested in legendary bulls.
Closing corrida	July 14	Very high	Roca Rey returns to close the feria.

Can’t make these dates? Pamplona’s bullfighting season is short and intense. If you don’t see a date that fits your trip, don’t give up.

Going to Madrid? The season there is the longest in Spain. Check my guide to the Madrid bullfighting schedule.

Going to Seville? Have a look at the Seville bullfighting schedule.

Traveling elsewhere? View the complete bullfighting festivals in Spain calendar.

Official 2026 Pamplona bullfighting schedule

The Feria del Toro is the most important part of the Pamplona bullfighting calendar. In 2026, it includes one novillada, one rejones event, and eight consecutive corridas during San Fermín.

Important: Tickets for the biggest dates are difficult to get because many seats belong to season-ticket holders and local peñas. If you want to attend one of the major corridas, especially July 9, 10, 13 or 14, book in advance.

The warm-up: Novillada before San Fermín

July 5, Sunday, 20:00: Emiliano Osornio, Álvaro Serrano, Mario Vilau.
Bulls: Pincha.
My pick: A good option if you want a cheaper, less overwhelming introduction to Pamplona bullfighting before the full San Fermín chaos begins.

Opening day: Rejones on horseback

July 6, Monday, 18:30: Andy Cartagena, Roberto Armendáriz, Guillermo Hermoso de Mendoza.
Bulls: El Capea / Carmen Lorenzo.
Event type: Rejones, or horseback bullfighting.
Insider tip: Rejones are often more visual and slightly easier to follow for first-timers. The skill of the horse and rider is the center of the show.

San Fermín corridas: The main Feria del Toro

From July 7 to July 14, the bulls that run through Pamplona’s streets in the morning are fought in the bullring in the evening.

July 7, Tuesday, 18:30: Daniel Luque, Víctor Hernández, Aarón Palacio.
Bulls: Fuente Ymbro.
- My pick: The first full corrida of San Fermín. The city is packed and the atmosphere is electric.

July 8, Wednesday, 18:30: David Galván, Román, Manuel Diosleguarde.
Bulls: Cebada Gago.
- Why go? A strong date if you want a serious corrida without the extreme demand of the Roca Rey and Morante afternoons.

July 9, Thursday, 18:30: Alejandro Talavante, Andrés Roca Rey, David de Miranda.
Bulls: Victoriano del Río / Toros de Cortés.
- High demand: One of the blockbuster lineups of the 2026 Feria del Toro. Roca Rey is the biggest box-office draw in bullfighting.
- My pick: If you only want one major star date, this is one of the best choices.

July 10, Friday, 18:30: Morante de la Puebla, Pablo Aguado, Borja Jiménez.
Bulls: Álvaro Núñez.
- Artistic choice: This is the most elegant and artistic lineup of the festival.
- My pick: Choose this date if you want to see the poetic side of bullfighting rather than just power and adrenaline.

July 11, Saturday, 18:30: Antonio Ferrera, Juan de Castilla, Isaac Fonseca.
Bulls: José Escolar.
- Why go? A more torista afternoon, with serious bulls and a demanding crowd.

July 12, Sunday, 18:30: Fortes, Fernando Adrián, Samuel Navalón.
Bulls: La Palmosilla.
- Why go? A good mid-festival option with a mix of experience and younger ambition.

July 13, Monday, 18:30: Manuel Escribano, Pepe Moral, Jesús Enrique Colombo.
Bulls: Miura.
- The bulls: Miura is legendary. These bulls are known for their size, danger and personality.
- My pick: A must-see if you’re interested in the bull as much as the matador.

July 14, Tuesday, 18:30: Juan Ortega, Andrés Roca Rey, Tomás Rufo.
Bulls: Jandilla / Vegahermosa.
- Season highlight: Roca Rey returns for the closing corrida of San Fermín.
- My pick: A powerful finale, but expect very high demand.

Check Pamplona bullfight ticket options now.

Top matadors to watch in Pamplona in 2026

The 2026 Pamplona bullfighting schedule combines big international names, artistic matadors and younger toreros trying to make an impact in one of Spain’s toughest arenas.

If you see these names on the cartel, expect higher demand and higher prices.

Andrés Roca Rey

The style: Power, courage and extreme closeness to the bull.
Why watch him: Roca Rey is the biggest box-office draw in bullfighting today. In 2026, he appears twice in Pamplona: July 9 and July 14.
The vibe: If you want adrenaline and a packed bullring, choose one of his dates.

Morante de la Puebla

The style: Pure art, inspiration and unpredictability.
Why watch him: Morante is one of the most magnetic toreros in Spain. He can have a disappointing afternoon or create a moment people talk about for years.
The vibe: Choose July 10 if you want the most artistic date of the 2026 Feria del Toro.

Alejandro Talavante

The style: Personality, variety and experience.
Why watch him: Talavante shares the bill with Roca Rey and David de Miranda on July 9, one of the top dates of the festival.
The vibe: A strong option if you want a big-name corrida with serious expectation.

Pablo Aguado and Juan Ortega

The style: Elegance, rhythm and classical bullfighting.
Why watch them: Aguado appears with Morante on July 10, while Juan Ortega closes the feria with Roca Rey and Tomás Rufo on July 14.
The vibe: Look for these names if you prefer style and beauty over raw intensity.

Borja Jiménez and Tomás Rufo

The style: Ambition, firmness and competitive energy.
Why watch them: Both are part of major 2026 Pamplona dates. Borja Jiménez appears on July 10, and Tomás Rufo closes the feria on July 14.
The vibe: These are younger, powerful names with a lot to prove in Pamplona.

Insider tip: Dates featuring Roca Rey or Morante are usually the first to attract attention. If you see a cartel that includes one of them, especially alongside another major name, buy your tickets as early as possible.

What to expect: A timeline of the afternoon

Attending a Pamplona bullfight during San Fermín is not like attending a bullfight anywhere else in Spain. The corrida is only one part of the experience. The city, the peñas, the music and the morning encierro all shape the atmosphere.

Here’s a typical schedule for an 18:30 corrida.

08:00 – The morning encierro

From July 7 to July 14, the day starts with the Running of the Bulls. The bulls run through Pamplona’s old town and enter the bullring at the end of the route.

Those same bulls are fought later in the evening. This is what makes Pamplona bullfighting so closely linked to the San Fermín festival.

17:00 – The pre-fight atmosphere

About 90 minutes before the bullfight, the streets around the Plaza de Toros become extremely busy.

Where to go: Walk around the area near the bullring and the old town. You’ll see peñas, bands, locals in white and red, and visitors heading to the arena.
What to expect: A mix of festival chaos, music, anticipation and crowds. Keep your ticket and belongings safe.

18:00 – Enter the bullring

Enter the plaza at least 30 minutes before the start. The Plaza de Toros Monumental is huge, and finding your tendido, row and seat can be confusing when the corridors are packed.

Very recommended: Don’t wait until the last minute. The entrances get crowded.
Locate your seat early: Once the bullfight starts, movement is restricted while the bull is in the ring.

18:30 – The start

Except for the July 5 novillada, all 2026 Pamplona bullfighting events begin at 18:30.

The rule: Be in your seat before the first bull enters the ring.
The lock-out: If you arrive late, you may have to wait before being allowed into your section.

19:30 – The contrast between Sol and Sombra

By the middle of the corrida, you’ll clearly notice the difference between the two sides of the bullring.

In Sombra, spectators are usually more focused on the bull and the matador. In Sol, the peñas create a party atmosphere with music, drinks and constant noise.

Both are authentic. They are just completely different experiences.

20:30 – The exit

When the bullfight ends, the peñas leave the bullring with their bands and continue the party through the streets.

If you don’t like heavy crowds, wait a few minutes before leaving your seat. The exits can be very packed during San Fermín.

Where to sit: Sol vs. Sombra explained

Choosing the wrong seat is the number one reason visitors regret buying Pamplona bullfight tickets.

On paper, Sol and Sombra sound like a simple sun/shade difference. In Pamplona, they are almost two different worlds.

Tendido de Sol

These are the cheapest and liveliest seats.

The reality: You’ll be sitting in the sun, surrounded by the peñas, music, drinks and a full party atmosphere.
My take: Choose Sol only if you actively want the wild San Fermín experience. It can be unforgettable, but it is not the best place to calmly follow the bullfight.

Tendido de Sol y Sombra

These seats are a compromise between price, comfort and atmosphere.

The reality: You may start with sun exposure and become more comfortable as the afternoon goes on.
My take: A smart option if Sombra is too expensive or sold out, but you don’t want the full intensity of the Sol section.

Tendido de Sombra

These are the most comfortable and usually the most expensive seats.

The reality: You’ll avoid the worst of the July sun and sit in a calmer, more traditional area.
My take: Best for first-timers, families and anyone who wants to understand what is happening in the ring.

Insider tip: If this is your first Pamplona bullfight, choose Sombra if your budget allows it. The comfort difference is huge, and the atmosphere is much easier to follow.

Need a detailed seating chart? For a row-by-row breakdown and explanation of the tendidos, check my full guide: How to choose the best seats in Pamplona.

Quick comparison: Which seat fits your budget?

Seat type	Price estimate	Atmosphere	Best for…
Sol	€	Loud, festive, chaotic	Budget travelers and visitors who want the peña party.
Sol y Sombra	€€	Mixed	Travelers looking for a balance between price and comfort.
Sombra	€€€	Calmer and more traditional	First-timers, families and visitors who want to follow the corrida.

Ready to book?

Now that you know the dates, the strongest lineups and the best sections, you’re ready to secure your place.

Check availability for all 2026 bullfights here.

Frequently asked questions about Pamplona bullfighting

When is the Pamplona bullfighting schedule in 2026?

The 2026 Pamplona bullfighting schedule runs from July 5 to July 14. The novillada takes place on July 5, the rejones event on July 6, and the main corridas from July 7 to July 14.

What time are the Pamplona bullfights?

The July 5 novillada starts at 20:00. All other 2026 Feria del Toro events start at 18:30.

Are the bulls from the running of the bulls used in the evening bullfight?

Yes. From July 7 to July 14, the bulls that run through Pamplona’s streets during the morning encierro are fought later that same day in the bullring.

What is the best Pamplona bullfight to attend in 2026?

The top dates are July 9 with Talavante, Roca Rey and David de Miranda; July 10 with Morante de la Puebla, Pablo Aguado and Borja Jiménez; July 13 with Miura bulls; and July 14 with Juan Ortega, Roca Rey and Tomás Rufo.

How long does a Pamplona bullfight last?

A standard corrida usually lasts between 90 minutes and 2 hours. It normally includes three matadors fighting two bulls each.

Is there a dress code?

There is no strict dress code, but during San Fermín almost everyone wears white clothes with a red scarf and red sash. Avoid beachwear if you’re sitting in the more traditional Sombra sections.

Can children attend?

Yes, but use your judgment. Bullfighting is a violent spectacle involving the death of the animal. The Sol section can also be loud, crowded and chaotic.

Should I buy Pamplona bullfight tickets in advance?

Yes. Pamplona bullfight tickets are very limited because many seats are controlled by season-ticket holders and local peñas. If you want a specific date or a good seat, book as early as possible.

Ready to experience Pamplona bullfighting?

If there’s one piece of advice I can give you, it’s this: don’t wait until you arrive in Pamplona to look for tickets.

During San Fermín, the city is packed, accommodation is expensive, restaurants are full, and the best bullfight seats disappear quickly. The major dates of the 2026 Feria del Toro, especially those featuring Roca Rey, Morante or Miura bulls, will be in very high demand.

Secure your seats in advance, choose the right section for the experience you want, and arrive at the bullring early.