The Supreme Court of Madrid (Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Madrid) has annulled the agreement under which the regional authorities of the capital allocated 1.4 million euros to the Fundación Toro de Lidia for the Fiesta del Toro in 2023 and 2024. The reason was the lack of an open competition, which deprived other organizations of the opportunity to apply for funding. The court’s decision sparked a strong reaction among professional bullfighting participants and politicians.
The legal proceedings began after a complaint from the Association of Bullfighting Professionals, who considered the allocation of funds unfair and a violation of existing subsidy rules. According to them, the agreement was concluded bypassing transparent procedures, and the subsidy itself was provided on the basis of personal arrangements rather than through an open selection process.
Political reaction
The issue of transparent allocation of public funds has become the subject of sharp criticism from the opposition. Socialist representative José Luis García Sánchez publicly condemned the actions of the regional government, accusing it of a lack of transparency and abuse of power. He stressed that such decisions undermine trust in the authorities and raise concerns among taxpayers.
In response, the Madrid government stated that it is reviewing the court’s decision and intends to take the necessary measures. The Department of the Environment, headed by Carlos Novillo, noted that funding for bullfighting-related activities and the renovation of the Las Ventas arena remain top priorities.
Agreement details
The contested agreement was signed on February 23, 2023. According to the document, the Toro de Lidia Foundation received 1.4 million euros to organize the Fiesta del Toro without a competitive bidding process. The court indicated that such a practice contradicts the principle of equal opportunity and violates state subsidy regulations. The ruling states that the agreement is, in effect, a direct subsidy that should have been allocated through an open competition.
In addition, the 2025 budget includes a new subsidy of 1.7 million euros for the Toro de Lidia Foundation, which will remain in place in 2026. This funding is allocated under a nominative scheme, which also raises questions among the public and experts regarding the transparency and fairness of government spending.
Future of funding
Madrid authorities continue to support projects related to bullfighting, despite court rulings and criticism. Significant funds are being allocated to upgrade the infrastructure of the Las Ventas arena, which is set to celebrate its centenary in 2031. Debates over funding such events are expected to persist in the near future, with calls for greater transparency and accountability only growing stronger.
In case you didn’t know, Fundación Toro de Lidia is a non-profit organization established to protect and promote bullfighting traditions in Spain. The foundation is actively involved in organizing cultural events, educational programs, and defending the interests of industry professionals. In recent years, the organization has repeatedly received government subsidies, regularly sparking public and political debate. In 2025, the foundation once again found itself in the spotlight due to substantial budget allocations and court decisions.
