Olivenza: thirty-five years later….

Olivenza: thirty-five years later… The town of Olivenza once again becomes the center of the bullfighting calendar this weekend with its traditional Feria del Toro. A series that brings together leading figures and promising matadors at a key moment in the start of the season.

In this article we look back at what the fair represents today, how it began on March 3, 1991, and why, three and a half decades later, Olivenza continues to be one of the main reference points at the start of the bullfighting year.

The origin of the Feria del Toro

The fair celebrates 35 years since its first afternoon, held on March 3, 1991. That day inaugurated the Olivenza bullring with bulls from María del Carmen Camacho for Emilio Muñoz, Miguel Báez “Litri” and Jesulín de Ubrique.

Since then, the cycle has stood out for its line-ups and for the novelties that each edition has brought, including highly anticipated comebacks.

Over the years, the Feria del Toro has established itself as a fixed event within the bullfighting calendar.

An impact that goes beyond the bullring

The fair is not limited to what happens in the arena. During that weekend, Olivenza experiences intense activity that extends throughout the surrounding area.

The economic impact in the region, not only in Olivenza but also in Badajoz and nearby towns, reaches 5.7 million euros. Alongside the bullfighting events, several parallel activities take place:

Fair events
Concerts
Cultural activities
Livestock events
Exhibitions

All of this creates an atmosphere that places the Extremaduran town firmly in the spotlight during the days of the fair.

Olivenza on the bullfighting map

For the 2026 Feria del Toro in Olivenza, attendance is expected to exceed 20,000 people, in addition to the town’s 11,800 inhabitants and a significant number of visitors arriving from Portugal.

It was not always like this. Until 1991, Olivenza was hardly present on the bullfighting map. Today, fans from Spain, America, France and Portugal closely follow what happens in its bullring.

A report looking back at 35 years

On the occasion of the Feria del Toro Olivenza 2026, Canal Extremadura has produced a report reviewing the 35-year history of the Olivenza bullfighting fair, from that first corrida to its current consolidation.

A look at the evolution of a cycle that, thirty-five years later, continues to mark the beginning of the season for many fans.

At Taquillaoficial.com we offer a variety of bullfighting tickets available for those who want to experience the major fairs of the bullfighting calendar up close.