The first San Fermín 2026 encierro in Pamplona ended without serious incidents. Four runners suffered minor contusions, none from bull horns. The Fuente Ymbro bulls showed discipline, keeping the herd intact.
The opening encierro of San Fermín 2026 in Pamplona unfolded with remarkable calm, as the Fuente Ymbro bulls completed the run without causing any horn injuries. According to the initial medical report, only four runners sustained contusions—one to the head, two to a leg, and another with unspecified injuries near the plaza. None were gored, highlighting the controlled pace and experience of the bulls, who followed the cabestros closely throughout the course.
This year marked the nineteenth appearance of the Fuente Ymbro bulls in Pamplona’s old quarter. Their familiarity with the route was evident as they maintained a tight formation, responding calmly to the dense crowds and the noise of the festival. The cabestros, as is tradition, asserted their leadership from the moment the rocket signaled the opening of the Santo Domingo corrals, leading the herd up the steep initial stretch after a night’s rest following the encierrillo.
Despite the large number of runners eager to test themselves on the festival’s opening day, the bulls—shielded by the cabestros and keeping their heads low—paid little attention to attempts to provoke them in the early meters. The group moved swiftly through the Plaza Consistorial and down Mercaderes street, where 2,500 liters of anti-slip liquid had been applied to prevent falls. This measure proved effective, as none of the animals crashed into the barriers at the entrance to the crowded Estafeta street.
Estafeta itself was packed as usual, leading to several falls and minor pile-ups among runners. However, the herd remained unbroken, with the cabestros at the front and the bulls following in single file. The animals reached the Telefónica section and calmly entered the final stretch toward the bullring. The first bull crossed into the corrals just two minutes after the start, with the rest following within 16 seconds—a time 17 seconds faster than last year’s Fuente Ymbro run.
Resting in the bullring after the run were Fanfarrón (585 kg), Manirroto (570 kg), Escribiente (575 kg), Botellero (570 kg)—all black-coated—and Improvisado (610 kg) and Taranto (559 kg), both jaboneros. These six bulls are scheduled to be fought later today by Daniel Luque, Víctor Hernández, and Aarón Palacio.
San Fermín’s opening day is always a focal point for Pamplona, drawing thousands of locals and visitors. This year’s event, as covered in detail in a recent report on the festival’s launch and emergency preparations, has seen heightened attention to safety and crowd management. The smooth outcome of the first encierro reflects both the experience of the bulls and the effectiveness of preventive measures implemented by the city.
San Fermín is one of Spain’s most internationally recognized festivals, with the encierro broadcast live and followed by millions. The event’s combination of tradition, risk, and spectacle continues to attract participants from around the world. The Fuente Ymbro bulls, known for their discipline, have contributed to a notably safe start to the 2026 festivities. As the week progresses, authorities will remain vigilant, with medical teams and security personnel on high alert to ensure the safety of both runners and spectators.
