Airbnb Is Giving 32 Individuals the Probability to Go to the Colosseum After Hours to Watch a Gladiator Combat

Constructed almost 2,000 years in the past, the Colosseum is without doubt one of the most iconic historical constructions nonetheless standing in Rome. However visiting it right this moment, you may solely start to think about what it will have been prefer to attend a gladiator struggle throughout the days of the Roman Empire. Quickly, although, in honor of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel, which can hit theaters on Nov. 22, just a few fortunate winners may have the prospect to enter the amphitheater after hours to witness a gladiator struggle and even don armor and study a few of the strikes themselves.

Created in partnership with Paramount Footage, this ultra-exclusive expertise is one in every of Airbnb’s Icons, a sequence of epic stays and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that the home-sharing platform is bringing to life — and we received a sneak peek. As a Rome-based journalist, I’ve been to the Colosseum quite a few instances — alone, on guided group and personal excursions, throughout the day and after hours — however I’ve by no means seen it fairly like this.

Upon getting into the rear gate on a latest night, I discovered myself ringside, the place a seating space coated in pink velvet cushions and illuminated by torches and fireplace pits was arrange overlooking the world flooring. I watched rapt as two males in gladiator armor started to struggle, their weapons clashing in opposition to their shields and helmets, the clanging sounds reverberating within the night time. Once I requested the professional information in the event that they had been actors, she defined they’re not actors however historic reenactors who’ve devoted themselves to learning gladiators.

Afterward, she led me down into the hypogeum, a warren of underground chambers the place animals had been stored in cages and corridors and gladiators walked earlier than rising within the enviornment. There, in one of many chambers, I received an up-close have a look at helmets, shields, armor, and weapons made to duplicate those utilized by historical gladiators. Individuals will be capable of select an outfit akin to one of many kinds of gladiators (murmillo, thraex, provocator, retiarius, or contrarete) and study the strikes they might have utilized in a struggle earlier than placing their abilities to the take a look at.  

“Icons take you inside worlds that solely existed in your creativeness till now,” Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s co-founder and CEO, mentioned at Icons’ Summer time Launch occasion in Los Angeles. “What we’re centered on is creating extra magic in the true world — and the whole lot we do is in service to this concept as a result of magic will not be restricted to our creativeness.”

Requests to e-book this unforgettable expertise will open on Nov. 27 at 6 a.m. PT at airbnb.com/gladiatormovie. The precise experiences will happen on Might 7 and eight, 2025. Every expertise has the capability to host 16 folks (eight winners and their plus-ones), which means simply 32 folks may have the prospect to expertise a night as a gladiator on the Colosseum. The reserving interval will shut on Dec. 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The expertise is free, however contributors are accountable for getting themselves to Rome and paying any prices related to their journey.