PlusToros · English edition
Bullfighting explained: a beginner’s guide
Understand event types, line-ups, career milestones and results before exploring the calendar.
Questions before your first event
What is the difference between a corrida and a novillada?
A corrida features matadors facing adult bulls. A novillada is part of a novillero’s progression and may take place with or without picadors. Check the event type in each listing.
What does a bullfighting line-up tell me?
The cartel names the performers, breeder, venue and date. Starting times and television coverage may be announced separately; missing details are not a confirmed schedule.
What do ears, tails and a lap of honour mean?
Ears and a tail are trophies awarded by the president. A vuelta al ruedo is a lap of the ring. The conditions for leaving through the main gate vary by venue, so a trophy total does not establish a universal rule.
Where can I follow bullfighting in France?
Our guides cover Nîmes, Arles, Dax, Mont-de-Marsan, Bayonne and Béziers. Use individual event listings for confirmed dates and performers, as festival activities and bullring programmes can differ.
Essential bullfighting terms
- Corrida
- An event in which matadors face adult bulls.
- Novillada con picadores
- An event for novilleros that includes the picador stage. Novilleros have not yet taken the alternativa to become matadors.
- Novillada sin picadores
- A novillada without the picador stage.
- Rejoneo
- Bullfighting performed on horseback.
- Cartel
- The advertised line-up or poster identifying the performers, breeder, date and venue.
- Ganadería
- The breeding ranch supplying the bulls or novillos.
- Alternativa
- The ceremony through which a novillero becomes a matador de toros.
- Oreja / rabo
- An ear is a trophy awarded to the performer by the president; a tail is an exceptional award.
- Vuelta al ruedo
- A lap acknowledging the crowd; the term can also describe an honour for the bull.
- Indulto
- A pardon allowing the bull to leave the ring alive.