Located just east of the Roman Forum, the huge stone amphitheater known as the Colosseum was built around AD 70–72 by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty as a gift to the Romans.
In AD 80, Vespasian’s son, Titus, opened the Colosseum — officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater — with 100 days of games, including gladiatorial fights and wild animal fights.
After four centuries of active use, the grand arena was abandoned, and until the 18th century it was used as a source of building materials.
Although two-thirds of the original Colosseum has been demolished over time, the amphitheater remains a popular tourist destination, as well as an iconic symbol of Rome and its long and tumultuous history.
A lot of people like free things. Likewise for entry into this tourist spot. There are specific categories and times, which can allow you to enjoy the Colosseum without spending money to buy an entrance ticket.
Colosseum Free Entry
In recent years, travelers have enjoyed “Free Sundays,” where state museum and site tickets are free on the first Sunday of each month.
These sites include the Colosseum/Roman Forum/Palatine Hill, as well as sites like Castel Sant’Angelo, Baths of Caracalla, and other sites across Italy such as Pompeii.
You certainly can’t pre-book tickets, so you’ll need to pick up a free ticket that day from the ticket office next to the Colosseum, and the Full Experience ticket won’t be available, just a regular access ticket.
Since Free Week is only once a month, if it doesn’t coincide with your trip to Rome, check out what else this article covers to see if you can still get your Colosseum free admission:
The Colosseum is regularly free of charge:
1. For everyone under 18
2. For holders of any other Roma Pass or Roma city pass that allows entry to the Colosseum, and you choose this as one of your free sites
3. For persons with disabilities and their carers/accompaniments (with valid medical documentation of disability)
4. For a European tour guide (with proper documentation)
5. For newborns and a maximum of 2 family members accompanying them, until the baby’s first birthday. This initiative is called “Born in Culture.”
There are several more categories that qualify for free entry to the Colosseum, as follows (according to CoopCulture, the Colosseum’s official ticketing website):
1. EU travel translators as long as they are active
2. Employees of the ministry of cultural heritage and activities
3. Italian language teacher
4. Member of ICOM (International Museum Council)
5. Member of the ICCROM (International Organization for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage)
6. Italian Ministry of Heritage (MIBACT) employees
7. European Union school group with one teacher and maximum 10 students. (Reservation is required).
