The first running of the bulls for the 2026 San Fermín festival took place Tuesday morning in Pamplona, Spain [1].
This event marks the official start of one of the world's most famous cultural celebrations, drawing thousands of spectators and participants to the streets of Navarra to witness the traditional race.
The event began at 8 a.m. [1]. Six bulls from the Fuente Ymbro ranch, a livestock operation based in Cádiz, led the charge through the city streets [2]. This was the first of eight scheduled runnings for the duration of the festivities [3].
Reports on the outcome of the race varied slightly regarding the number of casualties. La Sexta said there were five injuries [1], while MSN said four people were injured [2]. According to MSN, the run was a fast race that resulted in two individuals being transported to the hospital [2].
Local authorities and emergency services remained on high alert as the crowd gathered to watch the animals and runners navigate the narrow corridors of the city. The Fuente Ymbro bulls were specifically selected to headline the opening of the 2026 program [2].
Participants and officials said the event followed the established tradition of the San Fermín festivities. The race is a central component of the city's cultural identity, and a significant driver of tourism for the region during the month of July.
“The first of the eight runnings of San Fermín 2026 begins at 8:00h”
The opening of the San Fermín runnings signals the beginning of a high-intensity tourism period for Pamplona. The discrepancy in injury reports between sources highlights the chaotic nature of the event, while the continued use of specific ranches like Fuente Ymbro maintains the traditional livestock standards required for these high-profile public spectacles.
