Scorn greets Airbnb deal to bring gladiator ‘fights’ to Rome’s Colosseum after 2,000 years

As Gladiator II hits cinemas, Airbnb and guardians of the Roman ruin team up to offer faux fights there under a deal decried as ‘a disgrace’

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Rome’s Colosseum will see gladiatorial action for the first time in centuries as Airbnb offers users the chance to partake in faux battles. Photo: dpa

Published: 4:45pm, 18 Nov 2024Updated: 4:50pm, 18 Nov 2024

The Colosseum in Rome will be the venue of gladiator fights for the first time in two millennia under a US$1.5 million sponsorship deal with Airbnb that aims to promote “more conscious tourism”.

But visitors to the monument, and housing activists in Rome, were sceptical about the value of the arrangement. They cited controversies in many cities over short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb fuelling overtourism and limiting the availability of affordable housing for residents and students.

The sponsorship, announced by Airbnb and the Colosseum on November 13, will cover the renewal of an educational programme inside the ancient Roman amphitheatre which covers the history of the structure and gladiators.

Eight of the platform’s users and their plus-ones will be able to participate in faux gladiator fights after the Colosseum’s closing time on May 7-8, taking the same underground route to reach the arena as gladiators did in ancient Rome.

Paul Mescal in a still from Ridley Scott’s film Gladiator II. Photo: Paramount Pictures

People can apply for the experience on November 27 at no cost; the “gladiators” will be chosen by lottery.

The superintendent of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, Alfonsina Russo, says the deal was struck to coincide with the release of Ridley Scott’s new film Gladiator II, now in cinemas.