How To Buy Bullfight Tickets

If you are interested in buying bullfight tickets (billetes) have a look at the following tips. Purchasing tickets can prove tricky without knowing a little bit about the different type of seats, where to buy them and have an idea of a price range.

With the following suggestions and advice, you'll learn everything you need to know to get the best tickets.

If you want to discover more about the Spanish culture, attending a bullfight should be on top of list of things to do. The best way to ensure you get good seats at a bullfighting is to order them online before you leave home. It's just a couple of clicks away!

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Advice To Buy Your Bullfight Tickets

• It seems obvious but the sooner you buy your bullfight tickets, the greater your chance of choosing the best seats.
• As a rule of thumb, the better the seat, the more expensive it is.
• The best seats are located in the shaded section (sombra). Sun and shade (sol y sombra) seats become shaded as the fight progresses. Finally, sun (sol) seats are the most uncomfortable ones because you'll be dazzled by sunlight. Despite they are the cheapest ones, try to avoid them in summer: the heat and the light may ruin your experience.
• Ticket prices vary a lot depending on the bullring, the bullfighters and the occasion. Tickets for corridas can cost up to 150 euros!
• Depending on the event, bullfight tickets can be sold in just a few hours. Alternatively, they may be available through a reseller who will ask for a much higher price. They usually operate at the bullring surroundings and look for last minute clients. Don't turn on them unless you really want to attend this fight, try to buy your tickets in advance at the official price instead.
• You can rent cushions in most bullrings for a small amount of money. I recommend you to do so because seats are usually a step of stone or concrete.
• On the ticket, 'Puerta' is the door number that you enter, 'Fila' is the row, and 'Numero' is the seat number. You can only move around or come and go between each of the fights.

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Within each seating section, the best seats are those closest to the arena, in this order:

• Seville: Ringside barriers (front rows also called barreras), second tier seat (tendidos, from 1 to 12) and the stands (gradas). Tendidos 1 to 7 are in the shade, tendidos 6 and 9 are in the sun and shade, and tendidos 8, 10, 11 and 12 are in the sun.

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• Madrid: Barreras and those nearer the president's box (matadores often fight towards it), behind the first group of rows (contrabarreras), the lower front rows on the second tier (tendidos from 1 to 21), the stands (gradas), and lastly, the cheap seats in the upper stands (andanadas).

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Get You Bullfight Tickets Online For The Feria de Abril (Seville)

Bullfights in Seville during the Feria de Abril are very popular. In fact, it's the most important event of the city's bullfighting calendar. As such, it can be tricky to get tickets, but not impossible. The only way to ensure your tickets is purchasing them online.

Additionally, La Maestranza holds other bullfighting events. The regular season goes from March or April (depending on the Semana Santa dates) until late September. So you'll have plenty of oportunities to attend a bullfight while you are in Seville.

Check the official bullfighting schedule to match a bullfight with your visit dates.

You can also have a look at La Maestranza seat map to have a better idea of what to buy while selecting your tickets. (Right-click on the link to download the PDF file)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a novillada or corrida de novillos?
In a corrida the bulls are at least 4 years old (toros) whereas in a novillada the bulls are less than 4 years old (novillos). It's a training fight for novice matadores, before becoming fully qualified in a ceremony called tomar la alternativa.

When does the season begin in Spain?
The season begins in February and ends in mid-October.

What time do the bullfights begin?
The start of a bullfight is determined by the hours of sunlight, and is confirmed by the bullring management a few weeks before each fight. Usually, they start between 5pm and 7pm. Check your bullfight tickets if you aren't sure!

How long does a bullfight last?
A bullfight can last between 1h30 and 2h30.

Can I enter after the bullfight has already started?
Yes, but not while the bull is in the arena. You can only enter during the breaks between bulls. Therefore, try to arrive early (15-30 minutes before the start of the fight) otherwise your seat might be filled with other people or you might be barred from entering.

What happens if it rains?
A bullfight can still take place if it rains. It will be cancelled only if it rains cat and dogs for a long period of time. If the weather forecast predicts that it will rain and you want to continue watching the bullfight, bring a raincoat with you to the bullring. No one will let you open an umbrella as you will obstruct everyone's view.

Can I take photos and/or film?
Yes, you can take as many pictures as you like and film everything you want.

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In Madrid, Las Ventas holds bullfights from March or April (depending on the Semana Santa dates) until October. The most important bullfights with the most well-known toreros take place during the Feria de San Isidro.

Actually, Madrid is the mecca of bullfighting because of its tradition, the audience's thoroughness towards the toreros and the impressive size of its bullring. If you're planning to go, make sure to get your tickets well in advance.

Check the official bullfighting schedule to confirm that a bullfight is held whenever you are in Madrid.

You can also have a look at Las Ventas seat map and the heights to have a better idea of what to buy while selecting your tickets. (Right-click on the link to download each file)

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More Questions!

Can I eat and/or drink during the bullfight?
Yes, you can. All bullrings have bars at the ground floor. Additionally, vendors selling water, soft drinks and beer will walk around the grandstands during the breaks (this in not included in your bullfight tickets, you'll have to pay for these separately). But my suggestion is that you should bring a bottle of water and a small handy snack (e.g. candy bar, chips) as it can get very hot and you might not be able to get up because a bullfight is going on.

Can children attend the bullfight?
Yes, as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Unfortunately, there are no special bullfight tickets for children. They need a full fare ticket to get a seat. If you are thinking about seating the child on your lap, I suggest you reconsider this option. In a bullring the seats are extremely narrow and have no back. Actually, your back will be touching your neighbor's legs.

Seriously, how narrow are seats in a bullring?
Actually, if the bullring is very crowded you will be literally squeezed against people on all sides. So don't bring a backpack or any shopping bags, there is no legroom or any other place to put them! One more thing, wear some comfortable shoes, leave your high heels home and avoid short skirts, especially if you have short legs like me... The bullring has grandstands with pretty high steps!

Do I have to be quiet during the bullfight?
No. In fact, you can talk (or even better, whisper) as much as you like. However, don't stand up and out/talk loudly during the third act (faena) as the matador is trying to kill the bull. You will notice everyone is very quiet out of respect as this is a very tense and dangerous part.

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Before attending one, you may want to know what a bullfight is and read about its stages (or tercios).

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