Bullfighting season canceled at Merida’s Plaza de Toros
Bullfighting at Plaza de Toros Mérida has come to an abrupt halt, shorting the 2024-25 season by two events.
Just days before what would have been the fifth event of the series, Toros Yucatan announced in a statement that they were ending the season due to causas de fuerza mayor.
Sunday’s event was set to feature four toreros and eight bulls from two prestigious ranches — Barralva and Ordaz. The lineup included Spanish horseback bullfighter Andy Cartagena, alongside matadors Juan Pablo Sánchez, Spanish-born Román Collado, and Sergio Flores. However, part of the bull lineup failed to receive approval from authorities due to insufficient size and physical condition requirements.
Toros Yucatan has announced that they will provide refunds for tickets purchased for Sunday’s event. Ticket holders can claim their refunds starting Monday, Feb. 17, at the Plaza de Toros box office located on Reforma Avenue.
Bullfighting Controversy
The cancelation comes amid ongoing debates about bullfighting in Mexico. While Mérida has maintained a strong bullfighting tradition, several Mexican states have banned the practice in recent years. Mexico City’s historic Plaza México, the world’s largest bullring, faced a temporary suspension of activities in 2022 due to legal challenges from animal rights activists.
Yucatán, however, has historically defended bullfighting as part of its cultural heritage, with the Plaza de Toros being a significant venue since its construction in the early 20th century. The practice remains legal in the state despite growing opposition from animal rights groups who argue against what they consider animal cruelty. Supporters, meanwhile, defend it as an important cultural tradition that contributes to the local economy and maintains historical ties with Spain.
The current cancellation, while attributed to technical issues with the bulls rather than regulatory pressure, adds another chapter to the ongoing discussion about the future of bullfighting in Mexico, where tradition and animal rights concerns increasingly clash.
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