Plans to offer Airbnb customers the chance to take part in gladiator-style battles in Rome’s Colosseum have been decried as an insult to the UNESCO-listed ancient arena.

The short-term rentals company is promising armour and sword fights at the ancient arena to a chosen few, but Rome's councillor for culture and local housing activists have criticised the plan.

The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights for the first time in two millennia under a $1.5-million sponsorship deal with Airbnb.