2010 Calendars

T-Shirts & More

Spanish

Google Languages

2009 order of reports - latest news at bottom

Giraldes Radio Report - Sat. April 11, 2009

Giraldes gives a sneak peak into the upcoming Tijuana Temporada Press conference; The season or temporada in the Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana will consist of 7 Bullfights and will be run by the new Empresario Mario Alberto Bustamante. The season opens May 24 with Rejoneador Gaston Santos, Fermin Spinola and local favorite - Jose Rodriguez “Pepehillo”.

Press conference regarding 2009 Tijuana season

The Press conference held in Tijuana April 15th confirms Giraldes’ report and lists the season dates as follows; Season opener May 24: Rejoneador Gaston Santos, Fermin Spinola and Jose Rodriguez “Pepehillo”. June 14: Fernando Ochoa, Jose Mauricio, Manuel Gonzales. July 5: Manolo Mejia, Alfredo Rios “El Conde” and Cesar Castaneda. The remaining dates are: July 26, August 9 & 23, September 6.

Swine Flu Information

Sunday May 3, 2009.

Due to the Outbreak of H1N1 “Swine Flu”, the Mexican Government has canceled all public events, asked all restaurants to only serve take-out and the closing of all schools, bars, movie theaters and business of a large public nature. These closures are expected to be lifted by May 6th and should have no effect on the opening day of the Tijuana Bullfighting season. However the American Government’s recommendation of US citizens not traveling to Mexico unless for necessity my still be in place. There are no confirmed cases of the H1N1 Flu in Baja.

Travel Information

Sunday May 3, 2009.

The Mexican Government has announced it will begin searching ALL inbound vehicles into Mexico and it will cause significant travel delays at the border. Also, June 1st is the scheduled US requirement of a valid Passport to reenter the US at all Mexican and Canadian border crossings. There will also be a significant increase in auto searches and mandatory secondary inspections causing further return delays.

Pepe Lopez Hurtado Dies - Opening of Season Postponed

Sunday May 3, 2009.

The owner of Plaza Monumental Tijuana “Las Playas” died of a heart attack on April 27 2009. The opening day of the 2009 season has tentatively been postponed until June 14th. The future of the Plaza may be in question.

“Pepehillo” Confirms Opening Date in Tijuana

Tuesday May 5, 2009.

I spoke with “Pepehillo” Today and he confirms the original opening day in Tijuana of May 24 is back as scheduled.

2008 order of reports - latest news at bottom

First press conference regarding 2008 Tijuana season

The season or temporada in the Plaza Monumental de Playas de Tijuana will consist of 5 bullfights, and will be organized by Renovacion Taurina 2000, the same Empresa that organizes Autlan in Jalisco, Moroleon in Guanajuato and others all over Mexico. Besides the 5 bullfights there is slated to be 2 or 3  Corridas organized every July by the Mayor's wife for DIF, celebrating the anniversary of the city of Tijuana.

Hurtado argument with Zotoluco might close season.

Frontera Newspaper Reports:

The season of Bullfighting in the city of Tijuana was suspended temporarily by Jose Lopez Hurtado, one of the owners of the Plaza Monumental, who took the decision yesterday because of problems with the Matador Eulalio Lopez "Zotoluco." The employer taurino reported yesterday to inform Frontera claims that high fees and blackmail by "Zotoluco" caused him to take the difficult determination to leave Tijuana without Bullfighting. "I do it so that the public becomes aware of the damage they do to the 'Fiesta' some scoundrels, they are unable to give me some cowardly face," said Lopez Hurtado. The businessman, who reported from Mexico City, explained that Eulalio Lopez was scheduled to open the season but refused arguing that it would be as a spectator to the fair of San Isidro, as well as his economic claims were very high. "He asked that no money can be given; does not lead people to square in relation to what he wants to charge. Last year with that Bullfighter more money was lost with him", added the businessman. In addition, accused "Zotoluco" of modifying a Cartel for failing to meet his claims (refusing to allow Matador Jose Mauricio [managed by Hurtado] to perform with him). "It is not fair to remove a Cartel of a bullfighter (Jose Mauricio) for not giving “Zotoluco” money that he does not deserve. It's blackmail and I say this in your face," he said. Giraldes: “Zotoluco” is blackmailing him and arguing what was said to his face by Jose Lopez Hurtado Businessman taurino.”

Hurtado won’t allow new Cartel for July 6th - ends season!

Newspaper Esto. Wednesday June 11, 2008

Renovacion 2000 surprised due to cancellation of the Temporada.

Very surprised and looking for words to explain it, Jose Israel Cinta on behalf of Renovation 2000 informed of the cancellation of the Corrida for July 6. Such Corrida, the second of the temporada 2008, was about to be announced in yesterday’s press conference, Mr. Cinta even had the Matador’s contracts to be signed. Mayito, Castaneda and pepehillo would have been a historic first time Cartel with all three Tijuana Matadors. The objective of the press conference could not happen as Pepe Lopez Hurtado owner of the Plaza simultaneously announced to other media that due to problems to make up the Cartels and due to violence in the city, the temporada was completely cancelled. Mayito said he was very sad as he cannot understand all of this.

Plaza Monumental Tijuana to be demolished?

After 103 years Tijuana’s Fiesta Brava runs out

Written by: Roxana Di Carlo, Síntesis TV/Noticias. 7-3-08

The Fiesta Brava will cease to be a part of Tijuana. The square property of Plaza Monumental Playas will be demolished as the fans attempt every effort to preserve the property. July 3^rd 1938 inaugurated the first Bullring in Tijuana, the same month as the announcement of the demolition of the cities last standing Plaza de Toros. As a part of what had been the 70^th anniversary of Bullfighting, fans and the city authorities both face the struggle with the Plaza’s external management to preserve the Monumental Playas de Tijuana. All efforts seem to face the same fate as the Plaza which is the third largest Plaza in the world after Mexico City and Las Ventas in Madrid. Now, after 103 years of Taurine tradition on this border, Tijuana ceases to offer the wonder of the Fiesta Brava. Along with the demolition will be the loss of opportunity to attract tourism for those attracted to the Bullfights. The first Bullfight Plaza of Tijuana, according to history was located on Calle Quinta and Niños Héroes of downtown, where the golden era of Bullfighting took place in the 1950’s – 60’s. The hope now for the fans is that entrepreneurial players in the locality could enter the ring and invest in the Fiesta Brava.

Hurtado mends fences and books original July 5th Cartel

El Mexicano, Sunday July 27, 2008.

Ismael Gomez Tijuana .- "Mayito" will head the cartel reopening of the Plaza Monumental, Playas de Tijuana the next August 31.

Ismael Gomez Tijuana .- "Mayito" will head the cartel reopening of the Plaza Monumental, Playas de Tijuana the next August 31. It will be the second Bullfight of the year. The Cartel is completed by two other Bullfighters born in Tijuana, Cesar Castaneda and Jose Rodriguez "Pepehíllo" who would face the Bulls of San Mateo. Reliable sources assured the Mexican, who in addition to this there will be a bullfight and that more could well be in September with the hiring of a Spanish bullfighter. After problems with the bullfighter Zotoluco, Hurtado decided to stop the celebrations that started in May. Ismael Gomez "Mayito" return to the ruedos after 5 years, his last appearance was in 2003 when alternated with Mariano Ramos and Rogelio Leduc who that day was dismissed from the circle. It was a Bullfight in the municipality when the Mayor was Jesus Gonzalez Reyes. Bulls Monteverde not embistieron and despite that the Bullfighters were very willing. In the 80's, Mayito became the great idol of the fans from Tijuana and sadly over the years the illusion that touched levels of bullfighting were diluting for various reasons.  It will be the first occasion on which alternate bullfight Pepehíllo with his nephew, who was inspired by the matador bullfighting Ishmael.

Frontera Newspaper. Tijuana. Sunday, July 27, 2008 -By Giraldes

Plaza Monumental will hold 2nd Corrida of 2008 Temporada on August 31.

Jose Lopez Hurtado, owner of Plaza Monumental of our city of Tijuana. called Frontera to inform that the bullfight season of 2008 will continue on Sunday August 31. Pepe Lopez called Giraldes from Mexico City on Friday and announced this exclusive news in his saturday weekly broadcast Sol y Sombre of Radio Enciso 1310 AM. The season was suspended 3 months and now Pepe Lopez has worked out his problems and is able to have good carteles for the rest of the season. On Sunday August 31 the cartel with be with 3 matadors of Tijuana, Ismael Gomez Mayito, his nephew Jose Rodriguez Pepeillo and Cesar Castaneda. The fourth Tijuana Matador Alejandro Amaya has relocated to Seville, Spain and is recovering from a goring last week. Pepe Lopez will announce the ganaderia for this second corrida of the season very soon.

Fiesta Brava guaranteed in Tijuana in years to come

as Plaza Monumental Playas de Tijuana will be preserved.

Frontera Newspaper Tijuana, Monday August 4, 2008. By Staff.

Plaza Monumental de Toros de Tijuana will not be closed and will not be demolished, as it will be used for national and international events, informs the Tijuana Mayor’s office representative, the delegate of Playas de Tijuana Manuel Gonzalez Reyes. Mayor Jorge Ramos’ representative recently had a meeting with the representative of the owners of the Plaza Monumental Gilberto Bosques Tistler. Tijuana’s Mayor Office offered all their support to Pepe and Antonio Lopez Hurtado, owners of Plaza Monumental Bullring to make the 22,500 people building a magnificent place for big events and continue to be an emblematic space of Tijuana and improve the image of the city before the eyes of the world. Mr Gonzalez Reyes informed that most certainly the Plaza Monumental will be considered a protected cultural historic asset of Baja California –patrimonio cultural- the same way as Cortijo San Jose, El Faro and El Malecon of Playas deTijuana. Mr Bosques Tistler, on behalf of Pepe and Antonio Lopez Hurtado, reassured the importance of the building for the Tijuana community and compromised their best efforts to bring quality cultural events, for which will receive the support of Tijuana Mayor’s Office, especially the delegation playas de Tijuana.

Four More Bullfights in Tijuana 2008 Season

Esto Newspaper, Friday August 15, 2008.

Temporada 2008 in Tijuana will hold four additional Bullfights. After the suspension of the Temporada one month ago the fiesta Brava is back in Tijuana. It will happen on Sunday August 31 in Plaza Monumental de Playas with Bulls from San Mateo and three Matadors from Tijuana as previously announced; Mayito, Castaneda and Pepehillo. Israel Cinta, on behalf of Renovacion Taurina 2000 - of Jose Antonio Chilolin Gonzales and La Rondena of Jose and Antonio Hurtado informed that there will be an additional three Corridas besides the one on August 31 - held in September and October with the final one in November to conclude the Temporada 2008 with a total of five Bullfights for the season. The explanation given by Cinta was the misunderstanding with Matador Zotoluco, but now Eulalio Lopez - “Zotoluco” will perform in one of the upcoming Corridas. He also said that the Fiesta Brava tradition will continue in Tijuana for years to come and the empresa hopes the public attend these Corridas. There is no Cartels at the moment except for the August 31 Bullfight.

Possible Delay in 2008 Season

Giraldes; Monday September 22, 2008.

There is no information at all about the next Corrida in Plaza Monumental Tijuana. From Giraldes’ (a popular Radio Host) understanding there is a problem concerning the purchase of Bulls for the next Corrida. The best Bull ranches have committed to Corridas elsewhere in Mexico for some time. There may be a Bullfight in Plaza Monumental Tijuana Thanksgiving weekend in the end of November.

Tijuana Season Continues

A final event will be held on October 26 featuring Jose Rodriguez “Pepehillo”, Jose Mauricio and Julio Benitez “ El Cordobes hijo”.