Online vacation rental service Airbnb recently announced that users can book the Colosseum in Rome as their newest experience. Yes, you read that right. 16 lucky guests will get to have an after-dark experience in the Roman Colosseum essentially. The offering is in partnership with Paramount Pictures for Ridley Scott’s upcoming film, Gladiator II. The best part is that you get it for free if selected.
The experience is titled “Train for Gladiator II glory” and is hosted by Lucius, humorously referencing Paul Mezcal’s character Lucius Verus in the film. However, despite being an Airbnb, you actually can not stay the night at the Colosseum. That is obviously a major bummer, but what is more important, sleep or fulfilling your gladiator destiny?? As the listing reads, “The Colosseum is a place of combat, not of rest. By decree of the Emperor, no guest shall stay the night.”
So what exactly will someone do during their experience? It begins by descending into the Hypogeum, which is the underground chamber of the Colosseum. Here, you’ll get suited up in armor, according to the description on the website. The armor matches the type of gladiator you are: murmillo, thraex, provocator, retiarius, or contrarete.
Once decked out, guests watch seasoned gladiators fight and study their techniques as they will take part in battle very soon, but not before feasting…kind of. Guests will enjoy a spread akin to a charcuterie board with grapes, pomegranates, almonds, and walnuts.
Fueled with measly fruit and nuts, guests train for gladiator combat and face off against each other. “A summa rudis—your referee—will ultimately determine your fate. May you taste the sweetness of glory with infestus pollex and join the ranks of victorious gladiators since time immemorial,” says the website.
The experience is part of Airbnb’s Icons program, which launched in May. Icons are a collection of experiences based on fictional properties and real-life celebrities. Previous Icons experiences have included “Step into X-Men ’97” and “Drift off in the Up house.”
“Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination—until now,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO. “As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world. With Icons, we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth.
Guests have the option to book one of two three-hour experiences on Nov 27, similar to a normal Airbnb booking, except you’ll need to answer a question about why you want to go. The experience itself will take place on May 7 and 8, 2025.
