Duel

It’s a real one on one battle of grit and determination, with Gladiator and Contender standing on opposite podiums, only 1.1m in diameter. Armed with pugil sticks, aka massive cotton buds, it’s the arguably the most iconic event, appearing in every single series since 1992.

With a combined win rate of 76.19% across the first two BBC series, only two contenders have managed to remove the Gladiators from their podiums. 

NB: Bionic’s one loss was disqualification for stepping onto the contenders platform.

Gladiators you wouldn’t want to come up against: Cyclone & Phantom

Gladiators you could win some points against: Athena & Viper

Hang Tough

The “aerial game of chess” where Gladiator and Contender are stood on platforms at opposite ends of the arena. The challenge? Getting across the 60 rings suspended 3.6m above the arena floor without the Gladiator bringing them down. Just like Duel, it has appeared in every series since 1992, and ended in a splashdown during the Sky revival in 2008-09.

Across 24 challenges over the two series, the Gladiators have successfully prevented Contenders scoring points 66.67% of the time, with five lucky Contenders managing to get to the other side of the rings.

Gladiators you wouldn’t want to come up against: Athena, Dynamite & Apollo

Gladiators you could win some points against: Sabre, Bionic & Viper

The Edge

A brand new event when the BBC relaunched the series in 2024, The Edge is an aerial game of bulldog, as Contenders race across an elevated grid, trying to reach the other side while the Gladiator attempts to push them off.

Contenders can score points in this event by passing from one side to the next, so the statistics are based on whether the Gladiator managed to push them off The Edge in the 60 second game. Most Gladiators have managed to do that, with a 73.21% win rate for the Gladiators across the first two series.

*Fury may have the lowest percentage win for the female Gladiators, but her seven wins in her eleven appearances is something we cannot ignore. She’s fierce.

Gladiators you wouldn’t want to come up against: Dynamite & Legend

Gladiators you could win some points against: Sabre & Apollo

The Wall

First appearing in the first ever episode of Gladiators in 1992, the cat and mouse chase up The Wall has appeared in all twelve series, and is set to return in January.

The event is also one of the highest scoring events for Contenders, with a 36.84% win rate from the Gladiators across the BBC series.

Gladiators you wouldn’t want to come up against: Diamond & Nitro

Gladiators you could win some points against: Sabre & Apollo

Unleash

A brand new event for the 2025 series of Gladiators, where Contenders begin in a smoked-filled tunnel and race around a track, beating obstacles and steps along the way. Wondering where the name Unleash comes from? The Gladiator is a complete mystery until the whistle blows and they’re unleashed, and their one aim is to track that Contender down.

The female Gladiators were hot on the heels of the Contenders in series two, with a 75.00% win rate against a mere 33.33% from the men. 

Gladiators you wouldn’t want to come up against: Fire & Apollo

Gladiators you could win some points against: Cyclone & Viper

*Watch out for Nitro in Series 3. As one of the quickest Gladiators, he’s back from injury and could be a real threat for Contenders in this event.

The Ultimate Gladiator

So, after two series, who really is proving their worth as a Gladiator?

As the Gladiators warm up for battle, new events are rumoured to keep them on their toes, with an old friend returning that saw Nightshade remain undefeated throughout 1993, and where David really did beat Goliath in 2009. 

So who will reign supreme in series three? And who will be left eating mat? With twelve episodes of challenges, only time will tell whether contenders can take on the real challenge, the might of the Gladiators.

Gladiators returns to screens with a Celebrity Special on Christmas Day starring Joe Wicks MBE, Sam Thompson, Nicola Adams OBE, and Vogue Williams.