Mexico City Matadors Train in Parks Following Ban on Lethal Bullfighting

In the quiet corners of Mexico City’s public parks, the “dance of death” continues, though the stage has moved from the world’s largest bullring to the grass of urban plazas. Elite matadors are now seen practicing their intricate footwork and cape movements in full view of joggers and families, a direct result of a sweeping legislative shift that has fundamentally altered the tradition in the capital.

The transition follows a landmark decision by the Mexico City Congress in March 2025, which voted 61-1 to ban traditional bullfights where animals are killed or wounded. This law effectively replaced the centuries-old “to-the-death” model with a “bloodless” version of the spectacle, forcing the city’s bullfighting community to adapt or take their performances elsewhere.

Training equipment used by matadors to simulate movements outside of the traditional arena.

The Shift to “Bloodless” Spectacles

Under the 2025 regulations, any bullfighting event held within Mexico City must adhere to strict non-violent protocols. The bulls can no longer be stabbed with puyazos (lances) or banderillas (barbed sticks). Instead, the animal must be returned alive to its ranch after a strictly timed performance, usually lasting between 15 and 30 minutes.

While the law permits these non-violent versions, many traditionalists have rejected the bloodless model, leading to a standstill at the Plaza México. The world’s largest bullring, which can hold up to 50,000 spectators, has not hosted a traditional bullfight in over 18 months as of October 2026. The shift has been bolstered by constitutional reforms supporting animal welfare, endorsed by President Claudia Sheinbaum as part of a broader national move toward non-violent cultural practices.

Park Training and Regional Realities

Despite the restrictions in the capital, bullfighting remains legal in several other Mexican states. This regional patchwork is why matadors like Luis Conrado continue to train for traditional fights. In public spaces, matadors use a “bull” made of real horns mounted on a frame, pushed by an assistant who mimics the animal’s charge. This allows them to maintain the muscle memory and precision required for the high-stakes environment of out-of-state arenas.

The practice is not merely theatrical; it is a necessity for a profession where the margin for error is razor-thin. Conrado, who has previously suffered life-threatening injuries in the ring—including a chest wound that he described as “tearing his chest in half”—emphasizes that the physical and mental preparation must remain as rigorous as ever, even if the local laws have changed.

For these performers, the public park has become a surrogate arena. While the future of the industry in Mexico City remains tied to the new “bloodless” requirements, the sight of matadors practicing their passes among the trees serves as a reminder of a tradition that refuses to disappear, even as its legal boundaries are redrawn.

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