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 among the most iconic historical buildings nonetheless standing in Rome. However visiting it at this time, you may solely start to think about what it will have been wish to attend a gladiator battle in the course of the days of the Roman Empire. Quickly, although, in honor of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel, which is able to hit theaters on Nov. 22, a couple of fortunate winners may have the prospect to enter the amphitheater after hours to witness a gladiator battle and even don armor and study a number 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 obtained a sneak peek. As a Rome-based journalist, I’ve been to the Colosseum quite a few occasions — alone, on guided group and personal excursions, in the course of 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 hearth pits was arrange overlooking the sector flooring. I watched rapt as two males in gladiator armor started to battle, their weapons clashing in opposition to their shields and helmets, the clanging sounds reverberating within the night time. After I requested the skilled 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 saved in cages and corridors and gladiators walked earlier than rising within the enviornment. There, in one of many chambers, I obtained an up-close take a look at helmets, shields, armor, and weapons made to copy those utilized by historical gladiators. Members will have the ability to select an outfit equivalent to one of many forms of gladiators (murmillo, thraex, provocator, retiarius, or contrarete) and study the strikes they might have utilized in a battle earlier than placing their abilities to the check.  

“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 all the things we do is in service to this concept as a result of magic is just not 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 individuals (eight winners and their plus-ones), which means simply 32 individuals 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 members are answerable for getting themselves to Rome and paying any prices related to their journey.