The final day of San Fermín 2026 in Pamplona, 14 July, brought the festival’s most anticipated and hazardous bull run, with the Jandilla herd taking center stage for the closing encierro. Organizers broke with the long-standing tradition of ending the festivities with Miura bulls and handed the finale to Jandilla cattle, renowned for their raw power and unpredictable speed. The decision heightened an already charged atmosphere, as thousands crowded the historic streets to witness the event.
Across the festival’s eight days, runners faced some of the fastest encierros in recent memory. The shortest run lasted 2 minutes and 16 seconds; the longest stretched to 2 minutes and 36 seconds. The bulls’ charge through Pamplona’s old town left little margin for error. More than 60 people were injured during the seven previous runs, including three who suffered gorings. The Jandilla bulls, known for their bravery and noble lineage, have historically averaged two injuries per run, a record that speaks to the risks for participants. Earlier festival coverage by El Caso described the opening Fuente Ymbro run as fast and free of horn injuries. Its report on the second run, involving Cebada Gago, recorded one horn injury.
This year’s Jandilla lineup included seven bulls: ‘Pañero’ (555 kg), ‘Chismoso’ (575 kg), ‘Zarabanda’ (590 kg), ‘Oyente’ (580 kg), ‘Recitador’ (590 kg), ‘Castigado’ (565 kg) and ‘Adinerado’ (600 kg), as reported by EFE. Transported from Extremadura, the animals continued a tradition that has brought Jandilla to San Fermín for the 25th time. A Jandilla bull was responsible for the festival’s last fatal goring, in 2009, a tragedy that remains part of the collective memory of Pamplona’s runners.
Coverage of the final encierro was extensive, with Ana Prada and Julian Iantzi presenting the last special edition of ‘Vive San Fermín’ on TVE. The broadcast began ahead of the 8:00 a.m. start, giving viewers a comprehensive lead-up to the run. Audiences could follow the action live on La 1 and the 24 Horas channel. RTVE Play carried a multicamera stream, while RNE broadcast the event on radio. The expanded media offering built on innovations introduced earlier in the festival, as detailed in recent reports on the enhanced live coverage and streaming options.
Jandilla’s role in closing San Fermín 2026 marked a impressive shift in the festival’s traditions. The Miura bulls, which ran on Monday, typically hold the final slot, but this year’s change reflected an developing approach to organizing the event. Jandilla’s reputation for danger is well established: the herd’s speed and unpredictability make it a formidable presence on Pamplona’s streets. The festival’s international profile has also been shaped by literature. Agencia EFE noted that the centenary of Ernest Hemingway’s novel Fiesta in 2026 renewed attention to the book’s role in bringing the Sanfermines to audiences around the world.
Held annually in Pamplona, San Fermín draws tens of thousands of participants and spectators. The encierro, or running of the bulls, is the festival’s best-known event, with runners known as mozos and mozas testing their nerve and agility alongside the charging animals. Deeply rooted in local culture, the run has inspired literature and film while prompting debate about tradition and safety. The festival continues to evolve its organization and safety measures, while media coverage changes alongside its enduring appeal and the challenges of managing a high-profile public event.
