BARCELONA, Spain — Matadors drove the killing sword into bulls for the last time Sunday in Spain’s powerful northeastern region of Catalonia in an emotive farewell fight before a polemical regional ban on the country’s emblematic tradition takes effect.

Three of Spain’s top bullfighters, including No. 1 Jose Tomas, starred in the sold-out show at Barcelona’s 20,000-seat Monumental ring. Catalan bullfighter Serafin Marin closed the fight killing the last of six bulls to great applause.

Many fans then invaded the ring to grab handfuls of sand to keep as souvenirs.

The bullfighters were later carried shoulder high from the ring into the streets outside the bullring.