The Colosseum is about 1,950 years old, with construction starting around 70–72 AD and its inauguration in 80 AD.

Quick Scoop: How old is the Colosseum?

If we go by its official opening in 80 AD, the Colosseum is roughly 1,946 years old as of 2026.

If we count from when construction began (around 70–72 AD under Emperor Vespasian), it’s closer to about 1,954–1,956 years old.

Fast facts

  • Construction began under Emperor Vespasian around 70–72 AD.
  • It was completed and inaugurated by his son Titus in 80 AD, with 100 days of games.
  • Later, Emperor Domitian added further structures (like the hypogeum and the fourth story) in the early 80s AD.

So when people ask “how old is the Colosseum,” most guides round it to “about 2,000 years old,” since it was built in the late first century AD and is now in the mid‑2020s.

TL;DR: The Colosseum in Rome is nearly 2,000 years old, begun around 70–72 AD and opened in 80 AD, making it about 1,950 years old today.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.