Pamplona on Monday fired the starting gun for Sanfermines 2026 with the traditional chupinazo, the rocket launch that officially marks the start of nine days of festivities and the world-famous bull runs. From early morning, thousands of people dressed in white and wearing the traditional red neckerchief packed the Town Hall Square to experience one of the most iconic moments in Spain’s festive calendar.
This year, the rocket was fired by representatives of Navarre’s Accident and Emergency Subdirectorate, chosen in a public vote as a tribute to the work carried out by healthcare staff during the celebrations and, in particular, during the bull runs.
After the traditional cry of “¡Pamplonesas, pamploneses, viva San Fermín! Iruindarrak, gora San Fermín!”, the festivities will officially get under way. They will run until 14 July and once again bring together hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over Spain and abroad.
The first bull run will take place on Tuesday at 8:00, kicking off one of the best-known and most dangerous traditions of Sanfermines, in which hundreds of runners cover the 848 metres separating the Santo Domingo pens from the bullring.
The opening day will also be marked by intense heat. The authorities have warned that temperatures could reach 40ºC in Navarre, and they have reinforced medical and emergency services to attend to revellers as the festivities get under way.