The rule in one sentence
You can buy a ticket 30 days before the visit, not earlier. The entry slot is chosen at purchase, the ticket is named and an original ID is required at the gate. The name can be changed only once, up to seven days before the visit.
When sales open for your date
| Visit date | Sales open (30 days before) |
|---|---|
| 15 December 2026 | 15 November 2026 |
| 2 January 2027 | 3 December 2026 |
| 1 April 2027 | 2 March 2027 |
| 1 May 2027 | 1 April 2027 |
| 1 August 2027 | 2 July 2027 |
Count 30 days back from your chosen date. Check the ticket site, which shows the dates actually open.
Prices to know before you log in
The standard 24h ticket (Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine) costs €18; the Full Experience (underground, arena or attic) costs €24. European Union citizens aged 18 to 24 pay €2 and entry is free under 18, in both cases with a reservation. Since 25 October 2026, the Colosseum closes at 16:30 (last entry 15:30), so fewer afternoon slots remain.
What to do when it is sold out
- Check back every day: places reappear when tickets are changed or cancelled, especially shortly before the date.
- Change slot or day: the first morning slots go first, afternoon ones last longer. The basic ticket is easier to find than the Full Experience.
- Aim for the right ticket: if the underground is full, look at the arena or the attic; see the Colosseum, the arena and the underground.
- Take a guided tour: tours sold by operators are separate bookings and often show dates when the official ticket site shows none, with no guarantee; always check what the price includes.
- The first Sunday of the month: entry is free, without a reservation, but the queue is long.
To compare every paid site in the city, read which tickets to book in Rome.
A guided tour, an option when the ticket site is full
The most-booked guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine on GetYourGuide lasts 2h30 in a small group and shows 4.8 out of 5 from over 93,000 reviews, from about $55 (read on 25 October 2026). It suits those who found no official ticket or want a guide; check the activity page for dates, language and what the price includes.
Going further
Opening hours and access are on the Colosseum page. For the rest of the visit, read around the Colosseum; and if you visit many paid sites, Roma Pass or Omnia Card.
