The Italian public authority to protect free competition has imposed a fine of 20m euros on the company that until last year managed the disposal of Colosseum tickets, as well as a number of travel agents.

The reason for the decision, that many tourists who wanted to visit the Roman Flavio Amphitheater, that is, the Colosseum, for a long time could not, online, find tickets.

The research began in 2023 and came to the conclusion that the company that managed the disposal of tickets from 1997 to 2024 contributed decisively to their lack. In many cases, the tickets were purchased by large tourism companies which then moved them to a higher price, linking them to guided tours, or with “quick access” to the monument. Something that allows, in essence, do not wait in the queue to enter the Colosseum. “Teaching” visits were also organized, providing historical and archaeological information.

Citizens, according to the Italian Authority for the protection of competition, were forced to pay higher amounts in order to admire the Roman Amphitheater by purchasing compulsory and “extra” services. For this reason, part of the overall fine was imposed on six large tour operators.