Roman Collado: Interest in Bullfighting in Spain Grows Despite Ongoing Controversy. In Madrid, bullfighter Roman Collado noted a rising popularity of bullfighting. He emphasized that young spectators are increasingly present in the arenas. The new season brings both successes and new challenges for participants.
Madrid continues to discuss the successes of matador Román Collado, who has already made a mark this season at the Las Ventas arena, earning an ear at the May bullfight with bulls from Conde de Mayalde. According to Collado, interest in bullfighting has noticeably increased, and young people are appearing more and more often in the stands. He emphasizes that despite debates around the tradition, bullfighting remains in demand and continues to attract packed crowds.
The matador noted that the start of the season has been successful for him not only in Madrid, but also in Valencia and Seville. Collado attributes his achievements to intensive preparation during the off-season and is convinced that the work done in winter determines the results in the arena. His next performance in Madrid is scheduled for June 6 — this time with Victorino bulls, with which he has previously found success. On that day, Fernando Adrian and Morenito de Aranda will also take to the arena.
Collado pays special attention to the selection of bulls: this year he was able to personally choose which animals to work with. According to him, this adds confidence and allows him to better prepare for each appearance. Despite having suffered 14 injuries, the matador stresses that bullfighting demands honesty and does not tolerate falsehood — he believes this is what sets the profession apart and earns the respect of the audience.
In the interview, Collado also touched on the attitude toward bullfighters. He believes that while criticism is acceptable, insulting participants in the bullfight is not, since their work involves risk and requires courage. According to him, in recent years bullfighting has once again become fashionable, and the growing number of young spectators in the arenas supports this trend. He called for continued support and development of the tradition in order to preserve it for future generations.
Interest in events at the Madrid arena remains high, even against the backdrop of other city news. For example, there was recently heightened attention to a transport situation: dozens of metro stations were closed due to a gas leak, which caused significant inconvenience for residents and visitors to the capital.
For reference: Las Ventas is the largest arena in Spain, hosting the country's most prestigious bullfights. In recent years, interest in the tradition has fluctuated, prompted by public debates about the role of bullfighting in modern culture. Despite this, the 2026 season shows that bullfighting can still draw full houses and spark a strong response from audiences.
