Roca Rey and Morante Headline Valencia’s July and October Bullfighting Line-ups
Valencia announces its 2026 bullfighting line-ups for the July Fair and October festivities, featuring Morante de la Puebla, Roca Rey, Manzanares, Talavante and some of the most promising young bullfighters in Spain.
Valencia combines established stars and emerging talent in 2026
Valencia Bullring has officially unveiled the line-ups for the July Fair and the series of events scheduled to mark the Valencian Community Day celebrations, bringing together some of the biggest names in modern bullfighting, exciting young prospects and events designed to promote the next generation of bullfighters.
The presentation took place at the historic bullring on Xàtiva Street and was attended by local authorities, representatives of the organising company and several Valencian bullfighters who will feature in this season’s programme.
The summer fair will once again be one of the highlights of the Spanish bullfighting calendar, while the October fixtures will strengthen Valencia’s bullfighting season with a varied programme designed to appeal to both devoted aficionados and visiting spectators.
The July Fair begins with a livestock challenge
The programme starts on 15 July with an evening event featuring a desencajonada (the ceremonial unloading of fighting bulls) followed by a livestock challenge between bulls from Arriazu and animals from several ranches across the Valencian Community.
The first bullfight of the fair takes place on 16 July, with a mixed bill featuring matadors Román and Nek Romero, alongside promising female bullfighter Olga Casado.
One day later, on 17 July, Valencia will host one of the most anticipated combinations of the summer, as José María Manzanares, Alejandro Talavante and Andrés Roca Rey face bulls from the renowned Juan Pedro Domecq ranch.
On 18 July, the line-up features Diego Urdiales, Daniel Luque and Samuel Navalón, while the fair concludes on 19 July with a novillada with picadors starring Álvaro Serrano, Julio Norte and Marco Polope.
Morante and Roca Rey lead the October programme
The events organised for the Valencian Community Day celebrations will consist of three consecutive fixtures from 9 to 11 October.
The bullfight on 9 October presents one of the strongest line-ups of the season, with Morante de la Puebla, Andrés Roca Rey and Tomás Rufo facing bulls from Álvaro Núñez.
The programme on 10 October will focus on developing future bullfighting talent through a novillada without picadors. Young bullfighters from several leading Spanish bullfighting schools, including those of Madrid, Albacete, Alicante, Navas del Rey and Valencia, will face young bulls from Daniel Ramos.
The series concludes on 11 October with a novillada with picadors, featuring Juan Alberto Torrijos, Javier Cuartero and Ignacio Garibay, who will face young bulls from Casa de los Toreros.
Roca Rey takes centre stage in the official promotional image
The promotional artwork for the season places special emphasis on Andrés Roca Rey. The Peruvian matador occupies a prominent position in the design as Valencia marks the tenth anniversary of his debut at the bullring, where he has enjoyed some of the most significant moments of his career.
The image combines the main protagonists of the July Fair with visual elements closely associated with Valencian identity. References to the region’s cultural heritage and festive traditions help create a recognisable aesthetic that highlights the strong connection between bullfighting and local customs.
Full Valencia 2026 Bullfighting Programme
July Fair
15 July – 10:00 pm
Desencajonada and Livestock Challenge
16 July – 7:30 pm
Mixed Bullfight
Bulls from José Enrique Fraile de Valdefresno for Román and Nek Romero, and young bulls from Montalvo for Olga Casado.
17 July – 7:30 pm
Bulls from Juan Pedro Domecq for Manzanares, Talavante and Roca Rey.
18 July – 7:30 pm
Bulls from El Torero for Diego Urdiales, Daniel Luque and Samuel Navalón.
19 July – 7:30 pm
Young bulls from Talavante for Álvaro Serrano, Julio Norte and Marco Polope.
Valencian Community Day Celebrations
9 October – 5:30 pm
Bulls from Álvaro Núñez for Morante de la Puebla, Roca Rey and Tomás Rufo.
10 October – 5:30 pm
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