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 the arena. The show, which made a remarkably successful comeback, will again be staged at Sheffield's Utilita Arena, where a new cohort of contestants will undergo the ultimate challenge of strength, agility and stamina against the formidable Gladiators.
Returning Presenters and Challenges
Presenting duo Bradley Walsh and his son Barney Walsh are confirmed to return, taking viewers through another series filled with fierce competitions and family-friendly entertainment. The upcoming series will feature a yet-to-be-announced event alongside other established challenges including Duel, Hang Tough and the legendary Eliminator. Fan-favourite additions from the last series—Everest, Destruction and Suspension Bridge—are also confirmed to make a comeback following positive audience reception.
Audience Tickets and Production Details
Supporters keen to witness the spectacle first-hand can now register for complimentary audience tickets to forthcoming recordings, providing an opportunity to observe the drama live from the venue. Created by Hungry Bear Media in collaboration with MGM Alternative UK, part of Amazon MGM Studios, Gladiators continues to be among the BBC's premier entertainment offerings. The latest series, which concluded in March, drew an average of 4.6 million viewers on BBC One and BBC iPlayer over a 28-day period, while maintaining particularly strong appeal among younger demographics.
Executive Comments
Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC's Head of Entertainment, commended the programme's lasting appeal, saying: "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."
Hungry Bear Media Managing Director Dan Baldwin also shared his excitement, stating: "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 series will feature 11 hour-long episodes, while the celebrity special will broadcast as a separate 60-minute programme. Commissioned for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the production will be overseen by executive producers from Hungry Bear Media and MGM Alternative UK. Gladiators is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
