José María Manzanares takes on the greatest challenge of his career in Alicante by appearing for the first time before his home crowd with a full bullfight from the legendary Victorino Martín ranch. A feat? A landmark occasion? Call it what you will. The important thing is not to miss it.
José María Manzanares will be the headline attraction of the 2026 Hogueras Fair in Alicante. The local matador is scheduled to appear twice during the festival, but one date stands above all others: Wednesday, 24 June, the feast day of San Juan, Alicante’s most important celebration. On that afternoon, Manzanares will face a full bullfight from the legendary Victorino Martín ranch for the very first time in his career, in his home arena and before his own supporters.
Manzanares’ connection with Alicante runs deep. It was in this very bullring that he took his alternativa in 2003, with Enrique Ponce acting as his sponsor. Over more than two decades at the top of the profession, he has become the leading figure of Alicante’s bullfighting scene, earning countless triumphs through his elegant style, flowing technique and remarkable swordsmanship. Yet throughout his career in this arena, he has generally been associated with bull breeds known for their nobility and predictability.
That is why this year’s announcement has caused such excitement among fans. Taking on the famous Victorino Martín bulls represents a major statement of intent for a matador of his stature. It is worth remembering that Manzanares has fought only one Victorino Martín bull in his entire career: at Seville’s Real Maestranza in 2013 during a solo appearance. He has never before faced a complete bullfight from this renowned breeding line, and certainly not in front of his home crowd.
Victorino Martín bulls are famous for their intelligence, technical demands and unpredictable behaviour, requiring matadors to display exceptional skill, experience and adaptability. This challenge will force Manzanares out of his usual comfort zone and require him to showcase his most accomplished and strategic bullfighting abilities. The pressure will be even greater because he will be performing at home alongside two recognised specialists with this ranch: the veteran maestro Manuel Jesús “El Cid” and the Sevillian matador Manuel Escribano,
both highly experienced in facing Victorino Martín bulls and fully capable of rising to the occasion.
By accepting this challenge, Manzanares is stepping completely outside his comfort zone. Alicante’s passionate supporters should not miss an event of this magnitude, where one of the city’s most celebrated sons will test himself against one of the most respected and demanding bloodlines in bullfighting. Seeing a leading figure of the sport break with tradition and place his reputation on the line in front of his own supporters is something that happens only rarely in a generation.
This year’s Hogueras Fair has all the ingredients of a historic afternoon that will be remembered for decades. Secure your seat, fill the stands and experience it for yourself. A challenge of this scale, between a matador representing one of bullfighting’s great dynasties and the legendary Victorino Martín breeding line, is the sort of occasion that comes along only once in a lifetime.
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