Airbnb Launches Once-in-a-Lifetime 'Gladiator II' Experience Inside the Colosseum After Hours (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ever wonder what it was like to be a gladiator? Airbnb is about to make that a possibility.

In anticipation of Gladiator II (out Nov. 22), thelong-awaited sequel toRidley Scott’sAcademy Award-winning 2000 blockbusterGladiator,the vacation rental site is hosting a one-of-a-kind experience inside the Roman Colosseum after hours, PEOPLE can exclusively announce.

The limited experience is the latest introduction in Airbnb’s"Icons" series, which gives adventurous travelers access to some of their favorite fictional homes — likethe Deetz residencefromBeetlejuice Beetlejuice,the floating house fromUpor the X Mansion fromX-Men.

Unlike its typical listings, theGladiator IIexperience is not an overnight stay, but will welcome visitors into the iconic landmark after hours for the first time ever.

Airbnb’s ‘Gladiator’ experience at the Colosseum.Airbnb

Airbnb

Once inside the historic arena, guests will “suit up in historically accurate armor and put their skills to the test to determine their fate in battle,” according to Airbnb.

Photos of the spectacular experience show the Colosseum being illuminated with orange light fixtures to resemble fire and torches, as well as a variety of different shields and weapons on display.

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Guests will be invited to watch “seasoned gladiators engage in a thrilling showdown” before training in the “art of gladiator combat” themselves and fighting against fellow warriors.

Throughout the evening, guests will also be treated to a spread straight from the big screen of grapes, pomegranates, almonds and walnuts.

while the once-in-a-lifetime experience is free, snagging a spot may be the ultimate challenge. It will be available to book for two, three-hour experiences on May 7 or 8. Each experience can accommodate up to 16 guests and costs $0 per person. (Guests are responsible for their own travel to Rome).

Booking requests will be open from November 27 at 6:00 a.m. PT. to December 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT atairbnb.com/gladiatormovie.

The Colosseum, known as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is a massive arena where gladiators fought to the death against other fighters and wild animals for public entertainment.

Gladiator IIstarsPaul Mescal,Pedro PascalandDenzel Washington. The movie picks up where its predecessor left off with a new fighter, Commodus’ nephew Lucius (Mescal), ready to enter the arena.

Paul Mescal plays Lucius in ‘Gladiator II’.Cuba Scott/Paramount Pictures

Cuba Scott/Paramount Pictures

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The movie has already receivedgenerally favorable first reviewsfrom critics withThe Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney writing that Mescal “is magnetic as always” in his portrayal.

“Gladiator IImight not have a protagonist with the scorching glower of [Russell] Crowe’s Maximus, but it has plenty of the eye-popping spectacle and operatic violence audiences will want,” Rooney wrote.

source: people.com