Guadalajara 2026: Tradition and Character

The 2026 Feria de la Antigua in Guadalajara is establishing itself as one of the great strongholds of the season in central Spain. While Albacete brings its Manchegan sobriety, the capital of La Alcarria has a personality of its own, defined by its dynamism, the passion of its people and particularly high standards when it comes to the appearance and presence of the bulls. The company Funtausa has designed a compact and well-balanced programme this year, capable of attracting both enthusiasts seeking the purity of the leading matadors and those who demand serious, imposing bulls.

The main programme consists of four consecutive bullfights, all with considerable appeal and guaranteed to attract the attention of bullfighting enthusiasts:

• Thursday 17 September: Bulls from the Núñez del Cuvillo breeding farm for a highly interesting line-up featuring José María Manzanares, Alejandro Talavante and young talent Víctor Hernández.
•  Friday 18 September: Bulls bearing the José Vázquez brand will face three of the year’s leading performers: Daniel Luque, Emilio de Justo and Borja Jiménez.
• Saturday 19 September: Bulls from Román Sorando for a varied and ambitious trio: Miguel Ángel Perera, Ginés Marín and Aarón Palacio.
• Sunday 20 September: Bulls from Juan Pedro Domecq will bring the feria to a close with an afternoon of exceptional artistic appeal: Sebastián Castella, Juan Ortega and Pablo Aguado.

Experiencing bullfighting at the Coso de las Cruces is inseparable from the street atmosphere that fills the city. Guadalajara cannot be understood without its morning bull runs through the streets, where the bulls that will be fought in the afternoon run through the city at 8:00 am each morning, keeping alive an ancestral tradition filled with excitement and risk.

The soul of the feria lies in its network of local associations. Guadalajara’s peñas fill the sunny sections of the stands with an unrivalled display of colour and energy. Far from detracting from the seriousness of the event, this festive atmosphere brings a vibrant, popular and welcoming character that turns the bullring into a genuine volcano of excitement, with the enthusiasm spreading to the shaded sections.

One of the great advantages of the Feria de la Antigua is its excellent connectivity and geographical position. Located just a short distance from the Community of Madrid and perfectly connected with the provinces of La Mancha via the A-2, R-2 and the Cercanías and high-speed AVE rail networks, the capital of La Alcarria is an ideal destination for a bullfighting day trip.

For those travelling by car, access to the Coso de las Cruces is straightforward from the motorway exit. Visitors are advised to use the large regulated parking areas at Plaza de Santo Domingo car park or the open park-and-ride areas next to the outer fairground, just a few minutes’ walk from the bullring.

During these days, the Paseo de las Cruces and the historic centre become a hive of bullfighting discussion. The hospitality of the people of La Alcarria and the pleasant early-autumn weather invite visitors to extend the day long beyond the final third.

Are you already looking forward to experiencing it for yourself?