Events

Let the Games Begin

Contenders compete against the show’s Gladiators in a series of physical challenges called Events.

Each event tests the Contenders’ speed, strength, skill, and agility, with different objectives for scoring. The Gladiators are tasked with preventing the Contenders from scoring.

The show culminates in the Eliminator, a thrilling one-to-one race where the Contenders’ starting times are based on their performance in the previous events.

Atlaspheres

Inside metal spheres known as Atlaspheres, Contenders must try to roll onto scoring pods whilst the Gladiators try to stop them.

Breakthrough & Conquer

A two-part challenge that involves a combination of American football and freestyle wrestling.

Catapult

Suspended from the ceiling on bungee cords, Contenders must try to score by throwing a ball into the Gladiators goal.

Collision

Contender’s attempt to cross a precarious suspension bridge whilst avoiding four Gladiators who swing across attempting to knock them off.

Danger Zone

In this game of hit and miss, Gladiator and Contender aim for a direct hit on each other, testing both accuracy and speed.

Dogfight

Suspended beneath giant airships, Gladiator and Contender clash in mid-air, attempting to make their opponent fall.

Duel

Armed with pugil sticks, Gladiator and Contender battle on opposite podiums, attempting to knock each other off.

Earthquake

Gladiator and Contender battle on an unstable platform, each trying to wrestle the other off in a test of strength and balance.

Gauntlet

Contenders must run through five zones, each guarded by a Gladiator, attempting to avoid tackles and reach the finish line.

Hang Tough

In this aerial game of chess, Gladiators attempt to catch and remove the Contender from swinging rings, testing their strength and agility.

Hit & Run

Gladiators control demolition balls attempting to knock the Contender off a bridge, making it a race against time while dodging the impact.

Joust

Riding sky bikes, Gladiator and Contender face off with combat clubs, aiming to knock each other off their bikes in a clash of strength and balance.

Pendulum

A game of chase and evasion whereby the Gladiator chases the Contender around a huge swinging Pendulum, attempting to catch them.

Pole-Axe

The race to the top of a rotating pole, with the first to reach the summit retracting their opponent’s climbing support, in a test of speed and nerve.

Powerball

Two Contenders attempt to score by placing balls into five pods on the Powerball pitch, which are fiercely defended by three Gladiators.

Pursuit

Two Contenders race each other over an obstacle course, pursued by two Gladiators trying to catch them.

Pyramid

Contenders race to the top of a giant Pyramid while the Gladiators try to stop them from reaching the summit.

Rocketball

Contenders and Gladiators are launched into the air, aiming to score by throwing balls into baskets while the Gladiators defend against them.

Skytrak

Two Contenders, each pulling a detonator, are chased by two Gladiators while suspended upside down on the figure-of-eight Skytrak course.

Sumo Ball

Contender and Gladiator attempt to push each other off a circular platform using the Sumo Ball.

Suspension Bridge

Armed with Hammer Heads, the Contender must cross the Suspension Bridge while the Gladiator tries to stop them by knocking them off.

Swingshot

Attached to bungee cords, Contenders bounce to grab coloured balls from a pole, while Gladiators attempt to block them.

The Edge

The Contender races across an elevated grid, trying to reach the other side while the Gladiator attempts to push them off.

The Ring

Contenders attempt to press the button in the centre of The Ring as many times as possible, while the Gladiators try to stop them.

The Wall

Contenders must scale a climbing wall whilst a pair of chasing Gladiators attempt to pull them off before they reach the top.

Tightrope

Gladiator and Contender race along sloping parallel tightropes with the objective of sending their opponent flying into the net below.

Tilt

A tug-o-war between Gladiator and Contender, with the Gladiator on a higher tilting platform, both trying to pull their opponent off.

Unleash

A Contender sprints down a futuristic running track, navigating several obstacles while being chased by a mystery Gladiator hot on their heels.

Vertigo

A straight race between Gladiator and Contender to traverse five flexible poles, swinging across each to reach a hanging ring to claim victory.

Whiplash

Contender and Gladiator are locked in battle, holding a dog bone, as the Contender tries to pull the Gladiator out of the playing circle.

The Final Event

Eliminator

The Eliminator is the final event of every episode, where two Contenders face off in the ultimate obstacle course. For each point the Contender with the higher score has, 0.5 seconds is added to their head start. The first Contender to complete the Eliminator course, including the dreaded Travelator, wins the episode and progresses to the next round of the competition.

Non-UK Events

International

Discover Events that have not been featured in the UK version of Gladiators but have appeared in International versions…

Human Cannonball

Contenders swing on a rope from an elevated platform and try to knock the Gladiators off their podiums.

The Maze

Contenders negotiate their way through a life-sized labyrinth which hides four Gladiators who are ready to block their progress.

Shoot Out!

A Contender competes in a penalty shoot out, attempting to kick five balls into a goal defended by a Gladiator.

SideSwipe

Contenders jump across five platforms trying to deposit a ball into a goal whilst trying to avoid three Gladiators swinging on ropes trying to knock them off.

Snapback

Attached to bungee cords, the Contenders attempt to grab hanging scoring cylinders whilst trying to evade the Gladiators.

Snapback v2

Attached to bungee cords, the Contenders try to reach as far as possible into four scoring zones with the Gladiators pulling them back.

Spider Cage

The Contender climbs inside of the Spider Cage attempting to collect rings to score points whilst the Gladiator has to try and prevent them.

Behind the Scenes

Interview

Cyclotron: The Unseen Event

In this exclusive interview, John Coombes, the mastermind behind some of the thrilling events seen on Gladiators, reveals the untold story of the never-before-seen Cyclotron. This high-speed pursuit on revolving Ferris Wheel bicycles never made it to the show, but now you can discover the creativity, excitement, and challenge behind this daring event that almost was!