Valdemorillo: A “mini San Isidro” in February

Valdemorillo once again draws the big names. Once a portable bullring and a place for newcomers, it has transformed over the years into a comfortable, covered venue under the management of Carlos Zúñiga and Víctor Zabala. Today, it proudly hosts the first major bullfighting fair of the season.

Ever since Morante de la Puebla chose to kick off his 2022 season (the one with 100 bullfights) during La Candelaria, several top-ranked matadors have made Valdemorillo their starting point. Perera, Talavante, Cayetano, Daniel Luque, and Juan Ortega are just some of the stars who have graced its sand.

But in 2025, every single performer on the lineup is a true figure of the sport. For example, Castella and Manzanares, both making their debut at this Sierra town’s arena. These two legendary matadors, each with over two decades of experience, are committed to stepping into the ring hatless this February, just on Madrid’s doorstep.

Joining them is Diego Ventura, the undisputed master of horseback bullfighting, making his Valdemorillo debut and topping off a lineup that could easily rival any major provincial fair. The event, featuring bulls from El Niño de la Capea both for rejoneo (bullfighting on horseback) and traditional bullfighting, takes place on Saturday, 8 February.

The second main event, scheduled for Sunday, 9 February, is one for Madrid’s purists and fans of Las Ventas – after all, they make up the core audience of this fair. With bulls from El Parralejo, José Vázquez, and Garcigrande, it’s a mano a mano duel between Emilio de Justo (another debutant) and Juan Ortega, the undisputed star of the last two fairs here. This is a classic yet artistic lineup, depending on your taste, where attendees can be sure to witness pure bullfighting.

If that wasn’t enough, the fair kicks off on Friday, 7 February, with a novillada featuring promising young talents from the bullfighting ranks. With novillos from Guadaira, the lineup includes Alejandro Chicharro, a seasoned performer set to take his alternativa during Fallas; Javier Zulueta, the refined Sevillian; and Iker Fernández “El Mene”, a rising star who dominated the novillero scene in 2024, winning accolades like the Alfarero de Oro, Vid de Oro, and the Castilla y León Novillada Competition.

This year in Valdemorillo, it’s tough to choose just one event, as each one rivals the level of Madrid’s San Isidro fair. A spectacular weekend condensed into three unmissable days of bullfighting to kick off the season in grand style this February.