First San Fermín bull run of 2026: Fuente Ymbro bulls charge through Pamplona at 8 a.m.

The first run of the festival

The 2026 San Fermín festival's first encierro takes place this morning at 8:00, with six bulls and six steers from the Fuente Ymbro ranch. This is the 19th time the Cádiz-based ranch has participated, and the second consecutive year it opens the festival. Last year's run with the same ranch was completed in 2 minutes and 37 seconds, leaving six injured but no gorings. The ranch's fastest encierro was 2 minutes and 5 seconds in 2015.

The bulls

Eight bulls are in the corrals, with Improvisado and Hostelero each weighing 610 kg, Tramposo 600 kg, Fanfarrón 585 kg, Manirroto 570 kg, Escribiente 575 kg, Botellero 570 kg, and Taranto 595 kg. The ranch, owned by Ricardo Gallardo, is known for fast, clean runs; its last nine encierros have produced no horn injuries.

Route and rules

The 875-metre course starts at the Santo Domingo corrals, descends a 10% slope, passes the Town Hall, Mercaderes, the 90-degree Estafeta curve, Telefónica, and the alley into the bullring. Between 2,000 and 4,000 runners are expected. New rules this year: runners entering the bullring before the bulls must not stay on the sand, and access to the route from Plaza Consistorial is delayed to 7:30. Fines range from €600 for minor infractions to €60,000 for using skates or bicycles.

Safety and sanctions

Medical posts are placed every 50 metres, coordinated by 112-SOS Navarra. The city has detailed sanctions: €600 for inappropriate footwear or backpacks, €6,000 for touching bulls, using drones, or running under the influence, and €60,000 for skates or bicycles.

Afternoon bullfight

At 18:30, the bulls will be fought by matadors Daniel Luque, Víctor Hernández, and Aarón Palacio.

Broadcast

The encierro will be broadcast live on La 1, 24 Horas, RTVE Play, and RNE starting at 7:15.