Colosseum’s New Commodus Passage — and Why You’ll Struggle to See It

Yes! A New Area Opens Inside the Colosseum!

And we predict it’ll be one of the toughest tickets in town 😅

You read that right: the Commodus Passage (Passaggio di Commodo) has just opened to the public for the very first time in almost 2,000 years.

This was the underground corridor used by emperors to enter the Colosseum unseen — because when you’re the ruler of Rome, you don’t exactly queue with the crowd.

After an 11-month restoration, this imperial tunnel is now open to visitors.
Sounds amazing, right? It is — but here’s the catch: the number of people who can actually visit it is tiny.

🧮 The Math (Even if I’m No Math Genius)

Every article and press release about this new opening mentions that tours will be small… but most skip what that actually means.

So let’s break it down.
At the moment, visits are:

• Only two days per week,

• Between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.,

• With groups of just 8 visitors per slot,

• Each tour lasts around 30 minutes.

Now, I’m not a math wizard — but that’s roughly 70 people total per day who’ll walk the emperor’s path.

Compare that to the 25,000 daily visitors the Colosseum receives and you’ll see where I’m going with this...

Let’s just say your chances of seeing this passage are somewhere between winning a raffle and finding an empty Trevi Fountain at noon. 🎭

🎟️ How to (Try to) Get Tickets

To visit the Commodus Passage, you’ll need a “Full Experience – Passaggio di Commodo” ticket.

This specific version gives you access to the Colosseum and the newly restored passage — and that’s it. It does not include the standard underground areas or the Roman Forum, as other Full Experience versions do.

So, before booking, double-check the ticket description to make sure it explicitly says Passaggio di Commodo — otherwise, you’ll end up in a different part of the Colosseum altogether.

And yes, expect these tickets to disappear faster than a gelato on a Roman summer day. 🍦

💭 Final Thoughts — and a Little Help for You

The opening of the Commodus Passage is a huge archaeological win, and it’s fantastic that it’s finally open.
But let’s be honest — with these restrictions, most visitors simply won’t be able to include it in their trip (at least not yet).

That doesn’t mean you can’t still have an epic Colosseum experience. There are several other ticket types that offer incredible access — maybe even better suited to your group, schedule, and interests.

So don’t get too caught up in the hype. Plan smart, buy wisely, and you’ll still walk away with a great story to tell.

If you’re planning your trip to Rome and want to make sense of all the different Colosseum ticket types — including how to (maybe) score these ultra-rare special-access tours — keep an eye out for my upcoming Colosseum Ticket Guide 2026.

It’s almost ready to launch and will break down every ticket option, what’s worth it (and what’s not), and how to match the right ticket to your travel style and budget.

📅 Coming soon right here on Colosseum Ticket Guide — make sure to check back soon so you don’t miss it!

Because when it comes to the Colosseum, a little insider knowledge can save you a lot of frustration 😉