Roman officials, travel experts express concern with Airbnb's gladiator night at Colosseum

Government officials and travel experts have conflicting views on a newly announced Airbnb experience at the Roman Colosseum, with critics citing the harm of short-term rentals and questioning the event's historical and educational authenticity.

Airbnb and Paramount Pictures have teamed up to offer two free nights of entertainment at the Colosseum next year. The experience, which is not an overnight stay, is in conjunction with the upcoming release of Ridley Scott's "Gladiator II," a much-anticipated sequel to 2000's "Gladiator" (Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix).

"The news of a gladiatorial show inside the Colosseum leaves us perplexed, to say the least," Massimiliano Smeriglio, a former member of European Parliament, said in an Instagram statement this week. "We cannot turn one of the most important monuments in the world into a theme park."

In protest, Smeriglio said he sent a letter to the CEO of Airbnb and Rome's Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, asking the organizations to cancel the experience.

Lacey Pfalz, an associate writer for the online publication TravelPulse, called the experience "more a social media stunt than a cultural experience" in an opinion column on Friday.

"I'm happy that Airbnb is helping fund part of the Colosseum's educational programs, but it's getting this gladiator experience in exchange," Pflaz told USA TODAY. "As this isn't an experience everyone who visits the Colosseum can experience for themselves, and the monument isn't in any danger of not having enough visitors, it seems the main entity left to benefit is Airbnb."

Pfalz said she would prefer Airbnb to fund the Colosseum's educational or restoration programs through a charitable foundation, rather than hosting such an event as the one planned.

Airbnb, Colosseum continue to support experience

Amid pushback, Airbnb sought to clarify the purpose of the Colosseum experience, saying that it's preservation. The experience follows a $1.5-million donation to the Colosseum, which is part of a $10 million investment that Airbnb has made throughout Europe over the past two years, an Airbnb spokesperson told USA TODAY on Friday.

Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, expressed her continued support for the collaboration on Friday, saying in a statement that "the collaboration is to enhance the historical and cultural heritage of the Flavian Amphitheater through immersive activities that fully respect the monument, based on rigorous historical research.

"The collaboration aims to combine conservation, education and innovation to bring an ever-broader audience closer to the cultural richness of the amphitheater," she said.

Airbnb and the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum are working with the Ars Dimicandi Association and the Roman Historical Group to organize the historical reenactments to be held during the experience, Russo added.

The Airbnb collaboration will also include an update to the exhibition, "The Colosseum Tells Its Story" in the amphitheater's second tier. This exhibition will open during the experience and remain available for visitors afterward.

What does the Airbnb Colosseum experience include?

According to an Airbnb news release, guests will experience the following:

• Enter the Colosseum after sunset, led by a master of ceremonies.

• Descend into the hypogeum, the underground chambers where gladiators prepared for battle. Guests will choose armor that closely reflects their gladiator type.

• Travel through the bowels of the Colosseum by torch light.

• Enjoy refreshments like grapes, pomegranates, almonds and walnuts.

• Train in the "art of gladiator combat" and face off against other warriors.

Between Nov. 27 and Dec. 9, people can request to book one of two three-hour experiences at the Colosseum for up to 16 guests. The free experience will be offered May 7-8, 2025. Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Rome.

The event is an Airbnb Icons experience. The Airbnb Icons collection features one-of-a-kind events and stays. Past Airbnb Icons have included a sleepover at Polly Pocket's Compact, two-night stay at Shrek's Swamp and houseplant retreat with Seth Rogen.

"Gladiator II," starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, releases in the U.S. on Nov. 22.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Airbnb faces backlash for 2025 gladiator nights at Roman Colosseum