Valladolid – Line-up Change | 10 May 2026
Curro Vázquez receives the 2025 National Bullfighting Award at the Senate
Hellín will once again come alive with bullfighting on 4 April, Holy Saturday, with the staging of the traditional Corrida in Honour of the Drum. The event marks the return of major bullfighting to the Albacete venue after two seasons without such spectacles, coinciding with the start of a new management era led by Eventos Mare Nostrum.
The official presentation took place at the MUSS, a symbolic venue for Hellín’s Holy Week celebrations, where local authorities, fans and members of the line-up highlighted the importance of restoring a tradition deeply rooted in the town’s cultural identity. According to the organising company, the aim is to restore the bullring’s prominence within the national bullfighting circuit through attractive and competitive events.
The bill combines experience and emerging talent. Manuel Jesús “El Cid” tops the line-up, supported by recent accolades in the region. He will be joined by rising star Víctor Hernández, one of the most talked-about young matadors after his impact in Madrid last season. Completing the trio is local matador Samuel Navalón, who continues to strengthen his standing following notable performances in nearby bullrings.
They will face a bull run from the Alcurrucén ranch, a respected breeding outfit frequently featured in top-tier arenas and known for testing the mettle of leading matadors. The event seeks to consolidate bullfighting’s return to Hellín’s Holy Week programme, reinforcing the historic link between tradition, culture and the local passion for the art.
