Bullfight

Bullfight, or corrida de toros, is a public spectacle in which a trained torero, or matador, confronts a bull in a bullring. The event is traditionally associated with Spain and parts of Portugal and Latin America. Its aim is to demonstrate skill, control, and artistry through a series of staged maneuvers with the bull, culminating in the animal's death.

An official corrida unfolds in three stages, or tercios. In the first, the matador and assistants perform passes with the capote, a large cape, to gauge the bull's behavior and guide its movements. In the second, picadores on horseback pierce the bull with a lance to weaken its neck and stamina. In the final tercio, banderilleros place banderillas, decorative barbed sticks, to further exhaust the bull. The matador then performs the estocada, a sword thrust, to kill the animal. If successful, the crowd often signals approval.

Bullfighting has medieval and early modern roots and has become a cultural practice in diverse regions. The form is known as tauromaquia and varies by country in rules, attire, and tradition. Bulls are bred specifically for fighting in estancias or ranches (ganaderías) and are selected for temperament and strength.

The practice is controversial. Supporters see it as a long-standing art form and a regional identity; opponents describe it as animal suffering. Debates have led to legal restrictions and bans in some areas, while others continue to permit and regulate corridas, sometimes with welfare reforms and age limits for spectators.

Most corridas take place in purpose-built arenas called plazas de toros, with professional matadors, banderilleros, and picadores. The event is not only a sport but also a social and economic affair, linked to festivals, tourism, and breeding programs.