Morante sparks huge excitement in Cuenca with a historic double appearance

Morante makes Cuenca one of the major bullfighting events of late August 

The 2026 San Julián Bullfighting Fair is approaching its climax with one of its biggest attractions just around the corner. Morante de la Puebla will make two appearances in Cuenca, an exceptional commitment that has heightened interest in the fair and placed the bullring on Paseo de Chicuelo II among the key venues of the final days of August.

The first appearance will come on Monday 24 August. Morante will share the bill with Alejandro Talavante and Juan Ortega, facing bulls from Román Sorando.

It is a particularly artistic combination, bringing together three highly individual approaches to bullfighting and creating one of the most appealing line-ups of the San Julián Fair.

Morante, Manzanares and Borja Jiménez on 26 August 

The second appearance by the matador from La Puebla del Río will come just 48 hours later.

On Wednesday 26 August, Morante will once again take to the Cuenca arena, this time alongside José María Manzanares and Borja Jiménez. The bulls for the occasion will come from Domingo Hernández.

The Sevillian’s double appearance has generated a strong response among aficionados, with ticket sales progressing as two of the fair’s most eagerly anticipated afternoons draw closer.

His return also comes during a 2026 season in which Morante continues to occupy a central position in the bullfighting news cycle, following highly acclaimed performances at venues including Seville, Jerez, Lisbon, El Puerto de Santa María and Aranjuez.

An exceptional double appearance at the San Julián Fair 

Seeing the same leading figure scheduled twice within the Cuenca season ticket is far from commonplace. Morante’s double appearance therefore makes the 2026 edition a particularly special one.

A comparable precedent can be traced back to Miguel Ángel Perera in 2009, highlighting the significance of this year’s commitment by the Sevillian star.

But the appeal goes beyond the statistics. Morante arrives in Cuenca at a time of enormous media attention, with every appearance generating considerable anticipation. Seeing him twice, with different line-ups and different breeding farms, also gives aficionados two distinct opportunities to experience his unique interpretation of bullfighting.

More than two decades of Morante’s history in Cuenca 

The relationship between Morante de la Puebla and the Cuenca bullring goes back many years.

His first appearance at the venue came on 23 August 1999. Since then, his name has become associated with several memorable dates at the San Julián Fair.

The Sevillian has passed through the Puerta Grande in 2001, 2009 and 2016, building a relationship with the Cuenca crowd that has lasted for more than two decades.

His most recent appearance came on 26 August 2024, when he cut one ear from a bull from Román Sorando.

He has not always been able to fulfil his commitments in the city. Various injuries prevented him from appearing in 2013, 2017 and 2025. His return this summer is therefore even more significant: Morante is not coming back for a single afternoon, but for two appearances within just three days.