The BBC has officially announced that Gladiators will return for a fourth series in 2027, along with a brand-new celebrity special featuring well-known personalities competing in a one-off event. The action will once again take place at Sheffield's Utilita Arena, where a new batch of contenders will face challenges of strength, agility, and stamina against the formidable Gladiators.
Returning Hosts and Challenges
Presenting duo Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh are confirmed to return, guiding viewers through another series of fierce contests and family-friendly entertainment. The upcoming series will include familiar challenges such as Duel, Hang Tough, and the legendary Eliminator. Fan favourites from the last series—Everest, Destruction, and Suspension Bridge—will also make a comeback following positive audience feedback.
Audience Tickets and Production Details
Fans can register for complimentary audience tickets to upcoming recordings, offering a chance to see the spectacle live. The show is produced by Hungry Bear Media in collaboration with MGM Alternative UK, part of Amazon MGM Studios. The latest series, which concluded in March, averaged 4.6 million viewers on BBC One and BBC iPlayer over 28 days, proving especially popular with younger demographics.
Comments from BBC and Producers
Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC's Head of Entertainment, said: "Since Gladiators burst back onto screens in 2024, it's been amazing to see families across the UK rally behind the contenders and champion our phenomenal Gladiators as the true stars of Saturday nights. With a brand-new series confirmed and another Celebrity Special on the way, audiences can look forward to even more colossal clashes, even more edge-of-your-seat excitement and plenty of opportunities to raise those foam fingers high once again."
Dan Baldwin, Managing Director of Hungry Bear Media, added: "We are immensely proud to welcome Gladiators back to its rightful home on the BBC. This year is bigger, bolder, it's more gruelling, and it's going to be spectacular! We have some huge surprises for the audience. The countdown begins now..."
Episode Structure and Availability
The upcoming fourth series will feature 11 hour-long episodes, while the celebrity special will be broadcast as a separate 60-minute show. Both are commissioned for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with executive producers from Hungry Bear Media and MGM Alternative UK overseeing production. Gladiators is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
