At Las Ventas on 12 October 2026, Aarón Palacio confirmed his alternativa during the Día de la Hispanidad corrida, held in tribute to Ceuta. The event was scheduled to start at 17:30, with Morante de la Puebla and Héctor Gutiérrez also on the bill. The arena listed bulls from Garcigrande and Núñez del Cuvillo; Cultoro reported before the event that no tickets remained.
Palacio received his alternativa in Nîmes on 20 September 2025, with Roca Rey as godfather and Pablo Aguado as witness. Telemadrid reported that he cut three ears that day from bulls of the Jandilla ranch.
Palacio confirmed his alternativa in a measured performance with Veraniego, from Garcigrande, who appeared short of strength. Palacio found a better rhythm on the right and struggled with the left, drawing attention with his chest passes and doblones. The bull also received an ovation. Palacio had earned his place in the Madrid line-up after a successful run in the Copa Chenel, which Gutiérrez won that season. As Cultoro noted, the confirmation fell on the Día de la Virgen del Pilar, a particularly impressive date for the Aragon-born matador.
The crowd filled the arena for the charity event, which opened with the anthems of Ceuta and Spain. Morante received an ovation, along with some whistles. Plaza 1’s programme also included a roundtable titled Mirando a Ceuta, with participants from bullfighting and civic life, including media figures. A musical group from Ceuta performed before the evening event, El Pueblo de Ceuta reported.
Morante’s first bull, Siciliano, left little room for a sustained performance. The Garcigrande bull lacked range and veered to the right. Morante tested him before going in to kill, then received silence.
Héctor Gutiérrez’s afternoon drew a more divided response. With Lamparito, from Núñez del Cuvillo, Palacio performed a chicuelina quite. Gutiérrez dedicated his work to Isabel Díaz Ayuso. The bull charged and repeated, but the faena failed to connect with the stands. After a contrary estocada, the Mexican matador received an ovation. The bull drew applause as it was dragged away.
Morante’s second appearance brought a impressive moment and a split reaction. He dedicated his faena to Carlos Sainz, and one natural pass stood out. The rest of the performance divided the crowd. After a metisaca and a low, displaced estocada, he acknowledged applause and protests from the tercio.
Gutiérrez had fewer options with the fifth bull, Treinta y tres, from Garcigrande. The bull was dull, and the faena made little connection with the crowd. Gutiérrez was silenced after an estocada that landed somewhat low.
Palacio received the final bull, Tortolito, from Núñez del Cuvillo, with a kneeling farol. Juan Sierra and Araujo were acknowledged after the banderillas. Palacio dedicated his faena to Curro Vázquez; no outcome for that final performance was reported.
The corrida used bulls from Garcigrande and Núñez del Cuvillo, with Juan Pedro Domecq bulls listed as reserves. Telemadrid was scheduled to televise the event, while Castilla-La Mancha Media and À Punt were also set to carry it beyond the arena.
