Plans to offer Airbnb customers the change to take part in gladiator-style battles in Rome’s Colosseum have been decried as an insult to the UNESCO-listed ancient arena.

The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights for the first time in two millennia under a $1.5-million sponsorship deal with Airbnb.

A new deal between Airbnb and the Roman Colosseum will let eight people and their plus-ones participate in faux gladiator fights at the ancient amphitheater.

Alberto Campailla, the coordinator of Nonna Roma, a nonprofit organization which works to provide food and housing for low income people, said that Airbnb and other short-term rental sites such as Vrbo “are literally driving people out of not only the city center, but also the outskirts and suburban neighborhoods.”

In a partnership aimed at promoting what it describes as 'conscious tourism,' Airbnb has signed a $1.5 million deal with Rome's Colosseum to sponsor a series of staged gladiator fights. The sponsorship,

Romans are furious about an “insulting” deal to allow tourists to dress up as gladiators and stage mock fights in the Colosseum.

Luckily, there’ll be no bear battling or rhino slaying next May as the Master of Ceremonies greets groups after sunset and leads them through the great gates of the amphitheatre. Guests will be guided through the torch-lit underground chambers and prepare for combat, donning armour just as the gladiators would have done almost 2,000 years ago.

In May 2025, Rome's Colosseum will revert to a fighting arena, as Airbnb offers visitors a chance to train as gladiators

The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights for the first time in two millennia under a $1.5 million sponsorship deal with Airbnb

If you're excited for Gladiator 2, you don't just have to watch the movie – you could actually live it, thanks to Airbnb. A new experience from the rental space marketplace promises an authentic gladiator experience (well,