World
Sanfermines 2026: Pamplona's Bullfighting Awards Face Scrutiny Over Undeserved Trophies
At the 2026 San Fermín Fair in Pamplona, 17 ears were awarded to matadors. According to Paco Aguado, bullfighting critic for news agency Efe, very few of these trophies reflected genuine merit in the arena. On July 9, Peruvian matador Andrés Roca Rey and David de Miranda of Huelva each earned two ears under the presidency of Cristina Ibarrola, Pamplona's former mayor. Underlying this controversy, Navarre's bullfighting regulation entrusts the presidency of bullfights to local elected officials whose technical expertise varies significantly. Spain has six distinct bullfighting regulations.