The show originally ran for three seasons from 1993 to 1994; it was directed by Hollywood director Renny Harlin, produced by Markus Selin, and filmed at Planet FunFun.
Persons becoming famous from the show included Tony Halme (Viikinki—Gladiator Viking) who would become a member of the parliament and Virpi Butt (Timantti—Gladiator Diamond) who committed a murder in 2003.
Competitors Pirjo Litilia, Riikka Hartikainen, Jarmo Jousisto, and Tommi Vuoristo would later compete on International Gladiators 1.
On 6 April 2017, it was announced that the show, owned by MGM Television, will return to the airwaves in Finland for a revival on Nelonen.
Filming of the series began on 11 February 2019 and is produced by MTV Warner Bros. International Television Production Finland.