Morante Returns to San Sebastián de los Reyes. The bull and the youth take centre stage at “La Tercera”

Known as La Tercera (the third bullring), the arena of San Sebastián de los Reyes in Madrid was once regarded as the third most important in the region, after Las Ventas and the former Vista Alegre. Times may have changed, but one thing remains constant: the prestige of this venue at the end of August.

Its Feria del Cristo de los Remedios is one of the most renowned, not only within the Community of Madrid but also across the national bullfighting calendar. Its significance lies not only in the presence of the leading figures on its posters, but also in the traditional morning encierros (running of the bulls), featuring the very animals that will be fought in the afternoon.

It is no coincidence that the town is often referred to as the “little Pamplona”, as many of the runners who take part in the San Fermín festivities also travel to the north-west of Madrid to experience its encierros.

For 2025, the programme offers an exciting mix of attractions, combining young matadors, emerging promises from the junior ranks, and established figures, resulting in a line-up of exceptional interest.

The two main events are scheduled for the final weekend of August:

Saturday 30th: Bulls from Ángel Sánchez y Sánchez for rejoneo (mounted bullfighting) and from Hermanos García Jiménez for the traditional corrida. The line-up features Diego Ventura, Sebastián Castella, and Tomás Rufo.

Sunday 31st: After several years of absence, Morante de la Puebla returns to Sanse. Alongside José Mª Manzanares and the young female bullfighter Olga Casado, he will fight bulls from Zalduendo.

The rest of the programme includes:

Wednesday 27th August: A novillada picada (junior bullfight with horses) with young bulls from Casasola, featuring three of the brightest novilleros in the ranks: Aarón Palacio, Javier Zulueta, and Nacho Torrejón.

Thursday 28th August: A corrida with bulls from Salvador Domecq, fought by three promising young matadors: Ginés Marín, Diego García, and Tristán Barroso.

In addition to the encierros (held daily at 11:00 am), the festival also features a becerrada de peñas (amateur calf fight organised by local clubs) and contests for recortadores (bull-leapers), rounding off a full week in which the bull remains at the heart of the celebration.