The Jerez City Council has presented the balance of the recent 2026 Horse Fair, highlighting a notable increase in attendance and improvements in key services. The data shows a 50% rise in public transport usage, hotel occupancy nearing 95% on peak days, and over 3,200 attendances at the Violet Point. Concurrently, the council has initiated preparations for the 2027 edition, which will commemorate the event's 60th anniversary.
Mayor María José García-Pelayo met with representatives from the booth associations and Jerez Hospitality to evaluate the fair's results and plan the next edition, with formal preparations set to begin in August. In terms of mobility, the urban bus service transported 94,792 people to the fairgrounds, a 50% increase from the previous year. Taxi services were also enhanced.
Hotel occupancy reached 94.15% on the Friday and second Saturday of the fair, surpassing last year's 93.11% and marking the best figure in the last five years, according to the local government. In social protection, the Violet Point provided assistance to 3,276 individuals, with 2,703 being women and 573 men. The accompaniment service assisted 1,411 people, and a well-utilized nursing room was available.
The Red Cross health services provided 798 attentions, with an additional 203 at the on-site health module. Nearly a hundred cleaning staff worked daily. The council also highlighted improvements in lighting for secondary streets, booth numbering, and electrical supply, along with enhanced access control for carriages and riders, and animal welfare measures.
Representatives from the booth and hospitality associations positively assessed the fair and the coordination with the City Council. Jesús Viloita, president of the Jerez Horse Fair Booth Association, described the final evaluation as "very good," despite a rainy start. Similar sentiments were shared by Álvaro López de Carrizosa, president of the traditional booth association, and Alfredo Carrasco, president of Jerez Hospitality, who emphasized the collaborative effort.
Looking ahead to the 60th anniversary in 2027, the Jerez City Council plans measures to advance supplier service start dates and organize commemorative initiatives, including a book publication and a special sevillana dance. The opening address will once again be held at the Municipal Bandstand. The date for the next edition will be adjusted to avoid conflicts with the Motorcycle Grand Prix calendar, with planning meetings scheduled after the summer.




