The Colosseum at Caesars Palace is the purpose-built concert theater on the Las Vegas Strip that invented the modern residency model, and it’s still where the biggest names in music and comedy go to play extended runs instead of one-off tour stops.
It opened on March 25, 2003, as the home base for Celine Dion’s blockbuster “A New Day…” residency, and its circular, Rome-inspired design and oversized proscenium stage set a bar that other Strip showrooms are still chasing more than two decades later.
Quick Answer
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace is a roughly 4,100-seat theater inside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, built in 2003 for Celine Dion and now home to rotating headliner residencies. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and the Caesars Palace box office, parking is available via self-park or valet (with Nevada-resident and Caesars Rewards exemptions), and no seat in the house sits more than about 150 feet from the stage.
🎤 Coming Up at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
Show 34 more dates
Stats at a Glance
Location: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada. Type: purpose-built residency theater. Opened: March 25, 2003. Capacity: about 4,100 seats (modular lift seating allows slightly higher general-admission configurations). Construction cost: about $108 million. Stage size: about 22,450 sq ft. Famous for: Celine Dion’s 717-show residency and Elton John’s two residencies (444 shows combined).
A Stage Built for Spectacle
The Colosseum’s circular design draws directly on ancient Rome, with a rotunda rising roughly 120 feet above the floor and a diameter of about 256 feet. Its proscenium arch stands 45 feet tall and 120 feet wide, backed by a massive LED screen and a bank of motorized stage lifts covering most of the performance surface, giving productions room for elaborate staging that few other theaters can match.
Despite its scale, the room was engineered for intimacy. The automated modular seating system installed in a 2019 renovation lets Caesars reconfigure the floor between VIP banquette tables, standard orchestra seating, and general-admission standing, while roughly 200 acoustic panels manage sound in a space built for arena-scale production values. That same renovation also upgraded the sound system, lighting rig, and video wall.
History’s Biggest Residencies
Celine Dion’s original residency ran from 2003 to 2007 and became the template for the modern Las Vegas residency, inspiring runs from Elton John, Cher, and Rod Stewart in the years that followed. Dion later returned to the Colosseum for a second residency from 2011 to 2019.
In the 2020s, the venue kept its marquee status with Adele’s “Weekends with Adele” from 2022 to 2024, followed by residencies from Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Lopez, cementing the Colosseum’s reputation as the Strip’s top destination for both legacy icons and contemporary superstars.
Current and Upcoming Residencies (2025–2026)
The Colosseum’s calendar stays packed with a mix of extended residencies and limited multi-night engagements. Recent and scheduled bookings include Kelly Clarkson’s “Studio Sessions” (with 2025 dates running through mid-November and additional 2026 dates in July and August), Jennifer Lopez’s “Up All Night” residency launching in late December 2025 with shows continuing into early 2026, and Def Leppard playing a run of dates in February 2026.
Blake Shelton is booked for a May 2026 run, and comedians Nikki Glaser and David Spade have added joint stand-up dates throughout 2026. The venue has also hosted limited engagements from artists like Sting, Cyndi Lauper, Mötley Crüe, and Tim McGraw. Because residency calendars shift frequently with newly announced dates, the official Caesars Palace Colosseum page is the most reliable place to confirm who’s currently playing.
Planning Your Visit: Tickets, Seating, Parking & Policies
Tickets for Colosseum shows are sold primarily through Ticketmaster, with the on-site box office (open on show days only, typically from early afternoon through about 30 minutes after showtime) handling walk-up sales and will-call. Pricing is tiered by section and show, ranging from general-admission standing or rear-balcony seats up to premium orchestra and VIP banquette tables with bottle and cocktail service for small groups, so the exact price range varies significantly by artist and demand rather than following a fixed scale.
Seating is arranged in tiered orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony sections, and thanks to the room’s compact, circular footprint, the farthest seat from the stage is still only around 145–150 feet away, meaning there isn’t a genuinely bad seat in the house. A bag policy applies: small clutches and clear bags are preferred, and large purses or opaque backpacks are typically restricted or subject to search at the door.
Caesars Palace offers both self-parking and valet parking in its garages, with daily rates that vary by day of week, valet location, and event demand; Nevada residents with a valid driver’s license typically get a complimentary self-parking window, and Caesars Rewards members may qualify for additional discounts or waived fees. Because prices, showtimes, and box office hours change, always confirm current details on the official Colosseum at Caesars Palace page before you go.
Photos
Take the dangerous peak off a loud show and keep the music sounding clear. They fit in a tiny case on your keychain.
Meets most arena and amphitheater clear-bag policies. Hands-free in the pit and quick through the gate.
Water on your back and hidden zip pockets against your body. Built for long festival days in crowds.
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace FAQs
When did The Colosseum at Caesars Palace open?
It opened on March 25, 2003, built specifically for Celine Dion’s Las Vegas residency.
How many people does The Colosseum hold?
The venue seats about 4,100 guests, though its modular lift seating can flex slightly higher in general-admission configurations.
Which artists have had residencies at The Colosseum?
Celine Dion, Elton John, Cher, Rod Stewart, Adele, Kelly Clarkson, and Jennifer Lopez have held extended residencies there, alongside limited engagements from artists like Sting, Cyndi Lauper, Mötley Crüe, Tim McGraw, Def Leppard, and Blake Shelton, plus comedy residencies from Nikki Glaser and David Spade.
Where do I buy tickets for The Colosseum?
Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and the Caesars Palace box office, which is open on show days only, generally from early afternoon until about 30 minutes after the show starts.
Is there a bad seat in The Colosseum?
Not really. The theater’s circular, tiered design keeps the farthest seat only about 145–150 feet from the stage, so sightlines stay strong from the front orchestra rows through the back balcony.
How much is parking at Caesars Palace for Colosseum shows?
Caesars Palace charges for both self-parking and valet, with rates that vary by day and demand; Nevada residents and Caesars Rewards members may qualify for free or discounted parking. Check the official Caesars Palace site for current rates.
What is the bag policy at The Colosseum?
Small bags and clear bags are preferred; large purses, bags, or backpacks are generally restricted and may be turned away or searched at the entrance.
Get More from The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Want the day’s theme park news in your inbox? Subscribe to ThrillZing Daily — free.