From Living Room To Arena: The Gladiators Live Experience Brings The Iconic Show To Life

Back in 1992, ITV launched their equivalent of the hit US series, American Gladiators. While the show had done well Stateside, there was little anticipation that the UK equivalent, Gladiators, would become the 8-series phenomenon that ended in 2000 with a diminishing viewership of around 6 million. While Sky TV did try and briefly resurrect the show in 2008, the series did not quite have the impact of the original. However, its fate was altered back in 2024, when the BBC decided to resurrect the show and propelled it back to family favourite status. With a live tour having already proved popular, the stakes have now been raised even higher as an experience opens at Birmingham's NEC.

Promising to allow fans of the show the opportunity to live out their dreams while taking part in some of the show's now-iconic challenges, the experience is a wondrous one from the moment you arrive at Hall 12 at the NEC. Transformed into a huge Gladiators arena, the size of the Eliminator is the first thing you notice, while taking mental note of the other challenges that build up to it is both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

Once checked in to the experience, it is off to the colourful kit room, which is reminiscent of the one shown on the current series, where the first battle of the day begins – ensuring that your pads are in place. Be warned – the knee pads are tight – for your protection – but this means you produce your first sweat of the day just putting them on.

Importantly, you need to ensure you leave the kit area to your left – for an all-important warm-up. Several other contenders were overheard saying they wish they had warmed up, and we definitely found the guided warm-up very useful in preparing for the challenge ahead.

Following the advice of on-site staff, we undertook our challenges in an order of availability. With a 75-minute time slot, it was important to prioritise, and with only a short queue at that time for the Eliminator, the final challenge became our first hurdle.

And wow, what a challenge it is! A massive adrenaline rush, this is not a feat for the faint-hearted, and it certainly tests every aspect of your physicality. With referees on hand for advice, you are guided through with encouragement each step of the way, and that final swing is extremely rewarding as a result.

Having taken on the biggest challenge first, the rest of our experience was fuelled by fun and adrenaline rushes in equal measure. The thrill of hitting the red button at the top of the Wall to the fear of being knocked to the ground on the Duel (somehow I managed to remain standing) were experiences I had never anticipated having but am truly thankful for.

While the adult challenges at Gladiators Live Experience are definitely designed (inevitably) for those with a good level of fitness, those that are just going along for fun and not just with a need to win will be rewarded with big smiles along the way and a real sense of personal achievement.

However, what is most magical is that as a family-driven show, those younger audience members are far from forgotten. With each event made accessible, alongside some specially crafted events for those younger audience members, this chance for a friendly but realistic competition with your family members of all ages and sizes is pure gold.

Once the winner has been decided through the physical exertion – somehow me in our case – a look through the Gladiators vault is packed with photo opportunities aplenty and the chance to create your own Gladiator stats and name (something, you will note, I failed at – using Jem instead of Gem on my image!).

Overall, the Gladiators Live Experience is a truly memorable one. Go prepared for a real physical challenge, but one that is laden with laughter along the way.

Gladiators Experience is at the Birmingham NEC until 29 August. https://www.gladiators-experience.co.uk/