San Miguel Fair: Three Days that Sum Up Bullfighting

It is known as the “little sister” of the April Fair, but each year the atmosphere grows stronger – not only among Sevillians. Increasingly, fans and visitors alike take this swan song of the season as the perfect chance to say farewell in style by the Guadalquivir. And this year’s line-up is simply unbeatable, featuring the most anticipated duel of the year in the most iconic bullring of all. Will you dare to miss it?

The San Miguel Fair in Seville has the unique virtue of condensing nine months of bullfighting into just one weekend. Three afternoons, three bullfights, already set in stone long before the season began, where the leading figures of 2025 meet in what feels like a virtual tournament for a throne – symbolic, yet brimming with significance.

And the stage could not be more historic or more meaningful. The dream of every matador, the arena every aficionado longs to set foot in at least once in their life: Seville’s Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza. A place that brings together all the charm of a city that captivates the traveller from the moment they arrive at Santa Justa station.

The fair opens on Friday, 26 September, with a true duel of artists: Juan Ortega and Pablo Aguado, two matadors who have already lifted the Maestranza crowd to its feet countless times in recent years with their angelic toreo. Completing the line-up is Seville’s favourite, José María Manzanares, while the bulls come from Victoriano del Río, a guarantee of quality and spectacle.

On Saturday, 27 September, two matadors who have both twice passed through the Puerta del Príncipe – Alejandro Talavante and Daniel Luque – return to the Maestranza. Both are young yet experienced, and hold a special place in the heart of the Sevillian crowd. They are joined by Borja Jiménez, one of the revelation figures of the season and the key force in recent years’ line-ups. The bulls will be from Garcigrande, a prestigious name that never fails on grand occasions.

The fair closes on Sunday, 28 September, with bulls from Núñez del Cuvillo and the long-awaited alternativa of Javier Zulueta, the novillero on whom Seville’s afición has pinned its greatest hopes. His style and recent triumphs in the Maestranza and other major rings make this debut especially thrilling.

Yet beyond the excitement of a promising alternativa, all eyes will be on the most awaited confrontation of the year. José Antonio Morante de la Puebla and Andrés Roca Rey face each other in the Maestranza – two giants, two styles, head to head, in a clash destined to make history. And you, dear spectator, will be the judge.

It will be their final paseíllo together, a duel that has sparked endless debate and commentary throughout the season. Whatever the outcome, it will not go unnoticed. It is the ultimate way to close the season – and to deliver its final verdict.

Seville is waiting. The Maestranza is waiting. For them. And for you.