Granada: El Fandi – 25 Years as a Pillar of Local Pride

Granada Corpus Fair 2025

Once again, all eyes are on El Fandi in Granada. But this season is far from ordinary — it marks the 25th anniversary of his alternative (professional debut as a full matador). And he’s celebrating it in style, at home, with a true feat to remember. Discover all the details!

The 2025 Corpus Christi Bullfighting Fair in Granada is a heartfelt tribute to David Fandila “El Fandi”. In truth, it could be said the last 25 years — the exact length of his career as a matador — have already been a tribute. The Granada-born torero has been the cornerstone and lifeblood of the city’s bullfighting calendar throughout his professional journey.

It was at the Monumental de Frascuelo arena where he took the alternativa, receiving his doctorate from maestro Manzanares, with El Juli as witness. Despite dislocating his elbow and fracturing his ulna, he not only made the grand entrance but was triumphantly carried out on the shoulders of the crowd. That day likely marked the beginning of an enduring love story between El Fandi and his fellow Granadans — who have since witnessed countless heroic afternoons from him, as he fought shoulder to shoulder with the very best in the bullfighting world.

In Granada, for instance, he’s starred in several mano a mano events, including one against Enrique Ponce with bulls from Partido de Resina in 2004, another with Castella in 2008, and one alongside El Juli in 2021. He has also taken on full bullfights alone — notably in 2005 and 2013 — both of which left him injured, yet he returned bravely to complete the afternoon and left the arena on the shoulders of the crowd.

He also triumphed in 2017, arguably his most emotionally difficult day in the ring, when he was told, while in the bullring alley, of the death of his friend Iván Fandiño. That day, despite the ears he had earned, El Fandi chose to leave the arena on foot, shoulder to shoulder with Enrique Ponce and Roca Rey, his face stricken with grief and tears in his eyes.

This year, as only fitting, El Fandi will mark his silver jubilee as a matador in his hometown, taking part in two major afternoons of the fair. On Thursday 19th June, he’ll share the bill with Manzanares and Talavante, facing bulls from Álvaro Núñez. Then, on Saturday 21st, he takes on a true challenge — facing a full herd of Victorino Martín bulls, joined by Sebastián Castella and Miguel Ángel Perera. Two top-tier line-ups, featuring leading figures in the bullfighting world. Defending his home turf. Just as he always has. Just as he will, for as long as he remains in the ring.

But there’s even more to this year’s fair: on Friday 20th June, another stellar card brings together Morante de la Puebla, Roca Rey, and Pablo Aguado with bulls from Matilla. And the final day of the fair, Sunday 22nd, features a high-profile rejoneo (mounted bullfighting) event with Andy Cartagena, Diego Ventura, and local rider Sebastián Fernández, facing bulls from Ángel Sánchez.

All in all, it’s a perfectly crafted programme, packed into four thrilling days. And while the spotlight is on El Fandi’s anniversary, the entire fair is more than worth the trip. One of the most beautiful cities in Spain is waiting for you — with great bullfighting and unforgettable experiences.