Bullfight posters will appear in the town and surrounding
locality about two weeks before a fight. These detail the type of
fight, the names of the matadors, the ranch from where the bulls
are reared, and the date and time. Bullfights always start promptly
in Spain.
Tickets (billetes) prices vary considerably depending
on the bullring, the bullfighters and the occasion. Tickets for
corridas usually cost from 20 EUR to 100 EUR, although tickets for
the cheaper seats in a novillada are usually less than 10 EUR. Tickets
for top fights may be sold by touts for up to ten times their face
value.
Seats are usually designated as being in the shade
(sombra) or the sun (sol), with shaded seats being more expensive.
Sun and shade (sol y sombra) seats are those that become shaded
as the fight progresses. The closer you are to the action, the more
expensive the seat, with ringside barrier (barrera) seats in the
shade being the most expensive. So are those nearer the president's
box ( where the bullfighters often play towards). Some rings have
seats designated as contrabarrera which are the next rows to the
barrier seats. The seats behind the ringside seats are called tendidos
and my be divided into high (alto) and low (bajo) areas. They are
the cheapest seats in the ring. Cushions may be rented for around
0.30 € and are advisable as the seats are usually stone or
concrete. Children aren't admitted to bullfights.
Tickets show the section name and number (eg tenido
10), the row (fila) and the seat (asiento) number. It's best to
purchase tickets from the box office (taquilla) at the bullring
or at the official ticket office. Tickets sold by agents have a
surcharge. You should avoid buying a ticket from a tout who will
often tell you that the bullfight is sold out when it is not. Most
fights do not sell out completely so if you arrive at the bullring
in reasonable time you should be able to get a ticket. Booking early
offers the chance of a better seat for the same price. The exception
to this are the most popular fights during the summer fiesta in
larger towns.
At popular fight you may be approached by 'touts'
on the way to the booking office. They sometimes sell tickets at
less than face value. Do not pay more than the face value printed
on the ticket unless you are sure the tickets are definitely sold
out at the booking office. A tout will tell you that the bullfight
is sold out when it is not. Be careful when buying tickets from
touts, although there is little risk of forgery the tickets sold
may not correspond to seats located together. Check the tenido (section),
fila (row) and numero (seat number) carefully.
Don't miss the opportunity for buying souvenirs
such as old posters, photographs and assorted memorabilia. You can
also buy flowers to throw at the bullfighter when he does his lap
of honour.
All seats are numbered. Enter the ring in plenty
of time and take trouble to find your correct seats. There should
be somebody on hand to help you. If you see spare seat do not assume
it is vacant until after the first bull. Many times people arrive
at the very last minute to claim their seats from others who took
the opportunity for a better view. This leads to a game of musical
chairs.
Waiting for the bullfight to start look out for
the different sections in the arena. These include the president's
box, the VIP box (special guests of the promotor or the town hall),
the municipal brass band's section. Around the ring notice the 'callejon'
(passage) which is where the bullfighter's assistant 'apoderado'
will run. There are also marked positions for the various officials,
doctors, police, municipal observers, press photographers.
At the advertised time the band goes quiet, the
bullfighters take up their positions and the first bull charges
into the ring. If you have not already done so, read our guide to
the bullfight.
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