Palencia: 50 Years of Bullfighting Passion
The 50th-anniversary season ticket at Campos Góticos brings the very best of bullfighting to Palencia for an exciting San Antolín festival, with every event offering something special.
The 2026 San Antolín season ticket in Palencia takes on special significance this year as the city’s Campos Góticos bullring celebrates its 50th anniversary. The venue, opened in 1976, marks half a century since its inauguration, a historic occasion during which Francisco Rivera “Paquirri” claimed the first ear-and-tail trophy in the history of the new bullring.
To celebrate 50 years of bullfighting passion in Palencia, promoters Circuitos Taurinos and Pueblos del Toreo have put together a prestigious season ticket covering three bullfights, one rejoneo event and a practical class, taking place from 29 August to 2 September.
The anniversary is not simply an opportunity to look back and celebrate the deep-rooted passion of Palencia’s fans. It also provides the setting for a remarkably balanced programme, packed with attractions capable of drawing discerning bullfighting enthusiasts from across Spain, particularly from Castilla y León and central Spain.
The festival begins on Saturday 29 August with an event of exceptional artistic and emotional appeal: a Goyesque bullfight held as a living tribute to maestro Pedro Gutiérrez Moya “El Niño de la Capea”, a historic figure closely linked to the foundations and triumphs of this bullring.
The bulls will come from the El Capea and Carmen Lorenzo breeding lines, providing an ideal setting for the classic and refined style of a three-man line-up featuring Diego Urdiales, Juan Ortega and Pablo Aguado.
The following day, Sunday 30 August, attention will turn to the traditional art of rejoneo, with an impressive event featuring bulls from the Portuguese breeding operation of María Guiomar Cortés de Moura.
The line-up combines the undisputed mastery of world-leading rejoneador Diego Ventura, the classical approach of Sergio Galán and the exciting rise of young star Sebastián Fernández.
After a break on Monday 31 August, when a free practical class with young bulls from Domecq Núñez will give six promising youngsters from national and international bullfighting schools the opportunity to perform, the festival will enter its most eagerly anticipated stage.
Tuesday 1 September will feature one of the headline events of the season ticket, with the highly anticipated return of Morante de la Puebla to Campos Góticos. His presence alone brings a unique atmosphere to any bullfighting festival.
The celebrated artist from La Puebla will be joined by the tremendous personality and inspiration of Alejandro Talavante and the consistent, powerful performances of Toledo-born Tomás Rufo. The trio will face bulls from the highly regarded Núñez del Cuvillo breeding operation.
The grand finale arrives on Wednesday 2 September, San Antolín Day, with a truly top-class line-up.
Dynasty bullfighter José María Manzanares will open an afternoon promising maximum rivalry, as Peruvian superstar and leading figure Andrés Roca Rey goes head-to-head with bullfighting’s young prodigy Marco Pérez.
The bulls will come from Juan Manuel Criado, a breeding operation that already provided the setting for a historic three-Puerta Grande triumph at the previous edition.
There are more than enough reasons to consider the Palencia season ticket one of the essential choices of the 2026 bullfighting season. Its greatest strength is the complete absence of filler events: this is a compact programme in which every afternoon has the status of a major occasion.
The festival combines artistic bullfighting, the appeal of the biggest names on the current roster and the freshness of the sport’s most exciting young talent.
Being part of this season ticket also means witnessing first-hand the historic 50th anniversary of Campos Góticos, surrounded by the unique festive and cultural atmosphere that fills Palencia during its major celebrations.
So, is there a better way to say goodbye to August and welcome September than with a visit to San Antolín in Palencia?
Latest news - you're interested!
Palencia: 50 Years of Bullfighting Passion
Colmenar Viejo: The Standards of a Second-Tier Bullring with First-Class Credentials
The Miracle of San Roque: La Peregrina Demands Commitment
Huelva During Colombinas: The Best-Kept Secret of the Bullfighting Summer
Soria at San Juan: The Bull as the Soul, Ritual and Passion of a People
Stone, Charm and Suckling Pig: Your Perfect Segovia Itinerary for 28 June
Upcoming bullfighting events
Check out the bullfighting calendar in Spain: Seville, Valencia, Madrid… more than 150 bullrings and bullfighting events
