Olivenza: Debuts and Comebacks in Another Model Fair

Becoming a classic is no easy feat. But staying one over the years is even harder. That’s why the greatest achievement of the Feria de Marzo in Olivenza, firmly established on the calendar, is its ability to keep captivating aficionados every March. Year after year, as the season awakens, fans eagerly turn their eyes to this corner of Extremadura to see what surprises the next edition of this renowned cycle has in store.

Olivenza is a ring of comebacks, debuts, and landmark events. And in 2025, it’s Olga Casado’s turn to shine. A young novillera from the José Cubero Yiyo School in Madrid, Olga made waves during the charity festival for victims of the Dana storm held on 1 December in Vistalegre. Beyond the tail she cut that Sunday, her performance put her name on the lips of aficionados everywhere. It’s no wonder she’s the star attraction of the Olivenza ticket package.

Olga takes to the arena on the morning of Sunday, 9 March, alongside Marco Pérez, who is nearing the end of his time as a novillero, and Portugal’s Tomás Bastos, another precocious talent. Bastos’ presence is a major draw for fans from Portugal, who are just a stone’s throw from Olivenza and often describe the experience as the “ultimate bullfight.” The novillos come from the Fuente Ymbro, Talavante, and La Purísima ranches.

The feria kicks off on Friday, 7 March, with another novillada featuring bulls from Talavante. Stepping into the ring are Sergio Sánchez and El Mella, two promising novilleros from Extremadura, joined by Javier Zulueta, a standout talent from the new generation.

On Saturday, 8 March, and Sunday, 9 March, in the afternoon, the two main bullfights of the fair take place. The biggest draw is the return of Morante de la Puebla on Saturday, following health issues that forced him to cut his season short last year. The brilliant Sevillian matador will face bulls from Victoriano del Río and share the bill with two of the most talked-about toreros of recent years: Emilio de Justo and Borja Jiménez, both of whom have earned their place among the top names on the circuit.

On Sunday, 9 March, with bulls from Puerto de San Lorenzo, the programme concludes with three highly anticipated matadors: José María Manzanares and Alejandro Talavante, two veterans well-loved in this arena, and Juan Ortega, a connoisseur’s favourite. Ortega is a torero whose artistry fans travel far and wide to witness.

This year’s fair boasts more than enough reasons for aficionados to flock to this taurine mecca. Every March, Olivenza becomes, quite deservedly, the world capital of bullfighting. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it!