Cuenca prepares a top-class programme for the 2026 San Julián Fair

The official line-up for the 2026 San Julián Fair has been unveiled. Morante de la Puebla will headline two bullfights in a festival featuring many of Spain’s leading matadors.

Cuenca Bullring will once again become one of the highlights of the Spanish bullfighting summer as the 2026 Feria de San Julián 2026 brings together many of the sport’s biggest stars in a programme that combines tradition, emerging talent and a wide variety of events.

The official programme was unveiled by MaxiToro, managed by Maximino Pérez, during the traditional Subscribers’ Day, an annual gathering that attracts hundreds of supporters and officially launches one of the most highly regarded fairs on the Spanish bullfighting calendar.

The event featured live music, family activities, a communal dinner and a popular amateur bullfighting exhibition before the eagerly awaited presentation of the official line-up, once again hosted by journalist Iñaki Cano.

Morante de la Puebla takes centre stage

The biggest announcement of this year’s fair is the appearance of Morante de la Puebla in two bullfights, making the Sevillian matador the headline attraction of the festival.

His double appearance reflects the outstanding season he is enjoying and reinforces Cuenca’s position as one of the must-attend bullfighting fairs of the summer.

Morante’s first appearance will take place on 24 August, when he will share the bill with Alejandro Talavante and Juan Ortega, against bulls from Román Sorando.

He will return to the ring on 26 August, alongside, José María Manzanares and Borja Jiménez, facing bulls from Domingo Hernández, in another of the fair’s most anticipated bullfights.

A full week of bullfighting events

The fair will run from 21 to 27 August, offering a varied programme that follows the successful format established in recent years.

The opening event on 21 August will be the traditional Spanish Bull Leaping Competition (Concurso de Recortes), featuring bulls from the Mateo y Rodrigo ranch.

On 22 August, the programme continues with a training novillada (becerrada) using young bulls from Pedro Miota. Admission will be free for season ticket holders, while non-subscribers will be able to attend at a reduced ticket price, underlining the organisers’ commitment to promoting young talent.

The popular night-time release of young cattle (vaquillas) will also return on the evenings of 22, 24, 26 and 27 August, maintaining one of the city’s best-loved festive traditions.

Rejoneo and rising stars complete the programme

The fair also includes a prestigious rejoneo event.

On 23 de agosto Andy Cartagena, Diego Ventura and Duarte Fernandes, will compete on horseback against bulls from San Pelayo bringing together three of the leading names in horse-mounted bullfighting.

The following day, 25 August, Fernando Adrián, Víctor Hernández and Marco Pérez will face bulls from Montalvo, combining established performers with one of the sport’s brightest young prospects.

The fair will conclude on 27 August with a picadores novillada featuring bulls from Pedro Miota. The event will include the hometown mounted debut of the young Cuenca breeder, alongside Emiliano Osornio, Álvaro Serrano and Olga Casado, bringing the festival to a fitting close.

San Julián strengthens its position among Spain's leading summer bullfighting fairs

The 2026 edition once again brings together celebrated matadors, promising young bullfighters, rejoneadores and novilleros in a programme that successfully combines major professional contests with traditional popular festivities.

Morante de la Puebla’s two appearances, together with the participation of Talavante, Juan Ortega, Manzanares, Diego Ventura, Borja Jiménez and Marco Pérez, confirm MaxiToro’s ambition to keep Cuenca among Spain’s premier bullfighting fairs.

With such a strong line-up, Cuenca is once again set to become one of the country’s major bullfighting destinations this August.

Season tickets and official tickets for the 2026 San Julián Fair

Bullfighting fans can now purchase season tickets for the 2026 San Julián Fair in Cuenca and reserve official tickets through Servitoro, an authorised ticket provider.

Season tickets and individual tickets are available at Servitoro.com or by calling +34 963 308 593, Monday to Friday.

Servitoro Communications

Specialists in bullfighting communication, information and promotion.

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