American Ninja Warrior

Hosts and co-hosts

The broadcast position for Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, seen here in season eight.

American Ninja Warrior was originally hosted by G4's American television personality Blair Herter, and actress and former television correspondent Alison Haislip. In the second season, American actor, comedian, and television host Matt Iseman joined the show, replacing Herter.^[8] Additionally, Jimmy Smith was brought in as a co-host, while Haislip was the sideline reporter. The panel remained the same throughout season three.

For season four, skier Jonny Moseley was brought in as the new co-host, replacing Smith.^[9] American journalist, sportscaster, and documentary filmmaker Angela Sun replaced Haislip.

For season five, two newcomers were added. Sports analyst and former NFL football player Akbar Gbaja-Biamila replaced Moseley, while ESPN sportscaster and model Jenn Brown replaced Sun as sideline reporter.^[10] The season five panel remained the same through the sixth season.

For season seven, CBS Sports reporter Kristine Leahy joined the show as the new sideline reporter, replacing Brown.^[11] The roster has stayed the same as of season ten, consisting of Iseman, Gbaja-Biamila, and Leahy.^[12]

Contestant eligibility

The final obstacle of all city courses, the Warped Wall, seen here in Indianapolis when the course was curved around Monument Circle.

There are some requirements contestants must meet before participating at a regional qualifier. Contestants must be legal residents of the United States and be in decent physical shape. There is no upper age limit, though participants must be at least 19 years old (21 years old during the first nine seasons). Contestants must fill out a 20-page questionnaire and make a video about themselves.^[13] The required length of the video has differed over the years. Submission video length requirements have varied from 2 to 8 minutes, depending on the season.^[14][15]

1,000 people applied to compete in season one,^[16] 5,000 people in season six,^[17] 50,000 in season seven,^[16] 70,000 in season eight,^[18] and 77,000 in season nine.^[19] Producers then select 100 contestants from the thousands of applicants to participate in each regional qualifier. They also select 20 to 30 "walk-ons" who may wait weeks camping outside to get a chance on the course.^[16]

City qualifying and finals

Season nine Cleveland city course filming view from Terminal Tower, looking out to Public Square.

In each city qualifier course, the competitors that the producers have selected compete on an obstacle course consisting of six obstacles. Descriptions of each obstacle in each course are provided by the sideline reporter at the beginning of an episode.

At the beginning of each run, a buzzer sounds off, allowing a competitor to begin the course. A timer begins simultaneously. The first obstacle on any city qualifying course is the quintuple steps or floating steps, in which competitors must run across. This is followed by four different obstacles that test a competitors balance, upper-body strength and grip. These five obstacles are built above water. If a competitor falls into the water or touches it, their run ends immediately and the timer records their time.

Until season nine, the sixth and final obstacle was the 14'6" warped wall, in which competitors are given three chances to reach the top. In season ten, the 18-foot "Mega Wall" was introduced adjacent to the warped wall. Competitors have only one attempt to reach the top of the Mega Wall, and if successful, will win $10,000. However, if unsuccessful, the competitor will only get one attempt at the warped wall. Competitors are given the choice of which to climb.

At the top of both walls, there is a buzzer a competitor presses which stops the timer and records their time, ending their run on the course. The top 30 competitors who go the farthest the fastest advance to the city finals course. Since season nine, the top five women also advance to the city finals, regardless if they finished in the top 30.

City finals courses are the follow-up to each city qualifying course. They contain four new obstacles, in addition to the six obstacles featured in the city qualifying course. These four obstacles are all placed after the original six obstacles. As of season ten, two of the original six obstacles are replaced with new obstacles for the city finals course.

The top 15 competitors who go the farthest the fastest from each city finals course move on to compete on the National Finals course. As of season nine, the top two women in each city finals course also move on to compete on the National Finals course, even if they do not finish in the top 15. Small prizes ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are awarded to first, second, and third finishers who complete the city finals course.^[20]

Qualifying and finals courses are filmed back-to-back, usually over two nights. Obstacles are designed and produced in the five months prior to an episode taping, with 3–4 new ones per city. In season eight, 18 obstacles were debuted.^[21]

Los Angeles

Miami

Dallas

Denver

Baltimore

St. Louis

Kansas City

Houston

Orlando

Pittsburgh

San Pedro

Atlanta

Indianapolis

Oklahoma City

Philadelphia

San Antonio

Daytona Beach

Cleveland

Minneapolis

Location of city qualifying and finals courses from seasons 1–10.

Finals

The National Finals takes place at "Mount Midoriyama", the final course for American Ninja Warrior. Located on the Las Vegas Strip, it consists of four stages, each containing various obstacles of increasing difficulty. Competitors must complete all of the 23 obstacles. Should they complete the first three stages, competitors will advance to Stage 4, where competitors attempt to climb the 75-foot rope climb, known as Mount Midoriyama, in 30 seconds or less.^[22] Should a competitor achieve Total Victory, he or she receives a money prize of $500,000 from season four to season six, and $1,000,000 from season seven. Beginning in season eight, if multiple competitors complete stage 4, the competitors split the prize money, although in prior years the fastest competitor would receive the full amount.^[20]

• Stage 1 consists of obstacles that test the competitors' agility and speed. The first stage is timed, and only the competitors who successfully complete it within the time limit of 2:35 will advance to Stage 2.
• Stage 2 consists of obstacles that test the competitors' strength and speed. Competitors must complete challenges that strain their upper-body strength (such as the Salmon Ladder) without running out of time. Just as in the first stage, only the competitors who successfully finish within the time limit of 4:00 move on to Stage 3.
• Stage 3 consists of obstacles that test the competitors' upper body and grip strength. It is the only stage in Mt. Midoriyama that has no time limit. Like Stages 1 and 2, only the competitors who successfully complete Stage 3 move on.
• Stage 4 of Mt. Midoriyama is a 75-foot rope climb. Competitors must complete the rope climb and hit the buzzer in under 30 seconds.

Season 1 (2009)

The first season of American Ninja Warrior was held in Los Angeles, where hundreds of competitors came to challenge themselves against the course and qualify for a shot at making it to Japan to compete in Sasuke 23 later in the year. The special premiered on December 12, 2009, on G4 TV and was hosted by G4's Blair Herter and Alison Haislip. Notable competitors this season included freerunners Levi Meeuwenberg and Brian Orosco, mixed martial artist Jason "Mayhem" Miller, and Hollywood stuntman Rich King. Along with competitors on every season, Lorin Ball, Brian Kretsch, Ryan Stratis, and David Campbell.

Out of the ten Americans who qualified to compete at Mount Midori in Japan, only Rich King, Levi Meeuwenberg and Brian Orosco successfully completed Stage 1. The majority of the American Ninja Warrior competitors ran out of time or failed the obstacles. Levi Meeuwenberg was the only American competitor to complete Stage 2. The sole American competitor on Stage 3 fell on the "Shin-Cliffhanger" and his run came to an end.^[23]

Season 2 (2010)

The second season premiered on December 8, 2010, on G4, and concluded on December 23, 2010 after 10 episodes. The city qualifiers were held near the beach in Venice, California, where 300 competitors took on the qualifiers course. 30 competitors advanced to the city finals course. The top 15 competitors in the city finals course then moved on to participate in "Ninja Warrior Boot Camp" in Simi Valley, where they competed in a series of team challenges for five days. The 10 finalists then moved on to compete in the season finale as part of Sasuke 26 in Japan. Five competitors completed Stage 1, while four competitors completed Stage 2. No competitor made it beyond Stage 3.^[24] David Campbell was the Last Ninja Standing, having gone the farthest the fastest among the American competitors in Sasuke 26.^[8]

Season 3 (2011)

The third season began airing on July 31, 2011, on G4 and concluded with the finale airing on August 22, 2011, as a two-hour primetime special on NBC.^[25][26] Tryouts took place in May 2011 at Venice Beach, California. After the tryouts, the top 15 competitors competed in Ninja Warrior Boot Camp with the top 10 moving on to Japan for the finals of the competition as a part of Sasuke 27 and a chance at becoming the first American to conquer the course and win a $500,000 endorsement deal with K-Swiss. No competitors made it beyond Stage 3.

Season 4 (2012)

Competitor auditions being filmed at the entrance of the Northwest Regional in Venice Beach, California during season 4.

The fourth season of American Ninja Warrior began airing on May 20, 2012, on both G4 and NBC. There were six regional competitions held in three locations: Venice Beach (Southwest and Northwest), Dallas (Midwest and Midsouth), and Miami (Northeast and Southeast), that determined the 100 competitors to participate in the qualifying rounds. The winner of the ANW season four competition would receive $500,000 and the coveted "American Ninja Warrior" title. The season finale, held in Las Vegas, was the first time that Mount Midori was held on U.S. soil. Submission videos for American Ninja Warrior season 4 had been collected since January 25, 2012.^[27]

The entire format was changed as well – regional qualifiers in different parts of the country were aired, and the Mt. Midori course was recreated just off the Las Vegas Strip for the national finals. The regional qualifiers would narrow down its selections down to 30 contestants who finished its qualifying course in the fastest time as well as the contestants who finished the furthest the fastest. Qualifying obstacles would include common Stage 1 obstacles such as the Quintuple steps and the Warped wall, but its contents would change from city to city. The 30 contestants were then cut in half in the regional finals where the course would extend to include common Stage 2 and Stage 3 obstacles such as the Salmon Ladder, Cliffhanger and Body Prop. The 100 contestants who qualified (including wild cards) earned tickets to Las Vegas to challenge Mt. Midori. Brent Steffensen was the first American to defeat the Ultimate Cliffhanger on Stage 3, and he made it the farthest that season, falling on the Hang Climb. He was the only competitor to reach Stage 3 in this competition.

Season 5 (2013)

The fifth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on June 30, 2013, on G4 with subsequent shows airing on NBC and G4.^[28] Notably, the sideboard advertising along the course listed Esquire Network as the broadcaster as the fifth season was to premiere after G4's transition to Esquire on April 22, 2013. The network switch was eventually delayed to September 23, 2013, and Esquire took over Style Network's channel space instead. Because of this, additional reruns of the season aired on Saturday nights on NBC through the summer to maintain ratings momentum due to G4's lame duck status, with ANW being their only new program since they wound down all their original programming in January 2013. The success of the NBC re-airings led to the series being considered for NBC's main summer schedule for the next season.

Regional competitions were held in Venice Beach, Baltimore, Miami, and Denver. Tryouts for the season began in February 2013^[29] and ended with the last of the regional rounds taking place the following May.^[30] The finale was once again held in Las Vegas. No one defeated Stage 3, but Brian Arnold fell on the last obstacle, the Flying Bar, making him the farthest-going American on the Mount Midori course since Kane Kosugi reached the final stage on Sasuke 8.

Season 6 (2014)

The sixth season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on May 26, 2014, on NBC with subsequent shows airing on Monday nights at 9:00 pm EST^[31] and Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm EST on Esquire Network.^[32] Regional competitions were held at Venice Beach, Dallas, St. Louis, Miami, and Denver. The season finale was again held in Las Vegas, the permanent home of the U.S. version of Mount Midori. Notable competitors this season included The Biggest Loser personal trainer Kim Lyons, U.S. Olympic gymnasts Jonathan Horton and Terin Humphrey, among others. Female competitor Kacy Catanzaro became the first female to make it up the "Warped Wall" in the Dallas Qualifiers. Later in the Dallas Finals, she became the first woman to complete that finals course, in 8 minutes, 59 seconds. Again, no competitor achieved "total victory". Kacy's run has over ten million views. Joe Moravsky, the "Weatherman", made it farther than anyone on season six, falling on the Hang Climb, where Brent Steffensen failed two years ago.

Season 7 (2015)

Many competitors train extensively before a season begins.

The seventh season of American Ninja Warrior premiered on NBC on May 25, 2015. This season's grand prize was increased from $500,000 to $1,000,000. Qualifying and finals courses were held in Venice Beach, Kansas City, Houston, Orlando, Pittsburgh, as well as a special military-only course in San Pedro. Stage 1 had a total of 38 finishers including Brent Steffensen and Dustin McKinney. In Stage 2, 30 of the 38 competitors failed. Only eight were remaining in Stage 3 including Drew Dreschel, Abel Gonzalez, Isaac Caldiero, Ian Dory, Jeremiah Morgan, Kevin Bull, Joe Moravsky and Geoff Britten. Only two competitors finished the course: Isaac Caldiero and Geoff Britten. It was the first time that any American had finished Stage 3. The season concluded with a victory: Geoff Britten was the first to complete Stage 4 with a second remaining; however, Isaac Caldiero achieved the Stage 4 rope climb in a faster time and was awarded the grand prize of $1,000,000 and the title of "American Ninja Warrior". Geoff Britten was the first Ninja to complete all six courses in a single season.

Season 8 (2016)

The Fly Wheels, the third obstacle during the Indianapolis City Qualifiers and City Finals in season 8.

Season eight of American Ninja Warrior began on June 1, 2016, on NBC, with encore episodes airing the following day on Esquire Network. Regional competitions were held in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, and Philadelphia, with 28 new obstacles. Over 40 percent more women registered for season eight compared to the previous season. Additionally, prize money for possible Stage 4 winners would now be split equally among competitors who complete the rope climb in under 30 seconds.^[20]

In Philadelphia's city finals, no competitors completed the finals course, a first in American Ninja Warrior history. In Stage 1 of the National Finals, many veterans of the show such as Geoff Britten and Brent Steffensen were eliminated early, while Jessie Graff became the first woman to complete Stage 1, placing fifth.^[33] Tyler Yamauchi became the shortest person ever to complete the Jumping Spider obstacle at 5'1". Only 17 competitors successfully completed Stage 1, the lowest in ANW history.^[33] On Stage 2, all athletes were eliminated except Drew Drechsel and Daniel Gil. During Stage 3, both Drechsel and Gil could not complete the course. Gil fell on the Ultimate Cliffhanger, while Drechsel went the farthest, but fell on the Hang Climb. Contrary to season seven's multiple winners, no season eight competitor made it past Stage 3.

Season 9 (2017)

Season nine of American Ninja Warrior began on June 12, 2017, on NBC; Esquire Network ended operations fifteen days later on June 27, thus encore episodes shifted over to NBCSN on non-event nights with this season. The premiere was preceded by a special episode, "Celebrity Ninja Warrior" on May 25, 2017, the U.S. Red Nose Day, which was followed by a "USA vs. the World" special on June 4. New for season nine, the top five women in each city qualifying course qualified for the city finals course, and the top two women in each city finals qualified for national finals, regardless of their placement overall. Also this season, fans were given the opportunity to design their own obstacles through ANW Obstacle Design Challenge and seven fan-submitted obstacles have been featured on the show.

In the national finals, a record 41 competitors successfully completed Stage 1, including Allyssa Beird, the second woman to complete Stage 1. On Stage 2, all athletes were eliminated except Joe Moravsky, Sean Bryan and Najee Richardson. During Stage 3, none of the three could complete the course. Richardson and Bryan fell on the Ultimate Cliffhanger, while Moravsky went the farthest, but failed Time Bomb. As in season eight, no competitor was able to complete Stage 3.

Season 10 (2018)

Season ten of American Ninja Warrior began airing on May 30, 2018, with new changes including a $10,000 bonus for clearing the new 18-foot Mega Wall and $100,000 prize money for the "Last Ninja Standing". Drew Drechsel and Sean Bryan, the only two who made it to stage 3, both fell on the Ultimate Cliffhanger, however Drechsel made it faster, crowning him the Last Ninja Standing.

USA vs. The World

NBC has aired a series of 5 specials in which ANW fan favorites compete in a team against teams of competitors from regions across the world, including Japan, Europe, Latin America, and most recently, Asia. The competitors race on the same course used in the ANW finals.

The first special was entitled USA vs. Japan, while the rest have been named USA vs. The World. The inaugural competition was aired on January 13, 2014, and was won by Team USA. The second special aired on September 15, 2014, and was won by Team Europe. The third special aired on January 31, 2016, and was won by Team USA. The fourth international competition was aired on June 4, 2017, and was again won by Team USA. The most recent special aired on March 11, 2018, and was won by Team Europe.

All of the specials have been hosted by Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila. The first two included sideline reporter Jenn Brown. Since the 2016 special, Kristine Leahy has sideline reported.

All-Stars

Celebrity Ninja Warrior for Red Nose Day

Celebrity Ninja Warrior features celebrities competing on the American Ninja Warrior course while being coached by ANW favorites.^[36]

Ninja vs. Ninja

On October 9, 2015, Esquire Network announced a spin-off of American Ninja Warrior which would feature 24 three-person teams (two men and one woman) of popular ANW alumni, initially titled Team Ninja Warrior. The teams compete head-to-head against each other, running the course simultaneously, thus creating a new live duel dynamic (including crossing points where the two competitors can affect the other's progress.) The two teams with the fastest times advance to the finale where one team will be crowned the winners and receive a cash prize. Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila host alongside actor and journalist, Alex Curry.^[40][41][42] The series is Esquire Network's most-watched program in the channel's history.^[43]

On May 31, 2016, Esquire Network ordered a sixteen-episode second season that also included a five-episode special college edition that had college-aged competitors go head-to-head against rival schools.^[43] On March 6, 2017, it was announced that Team Ninja Warrior will be moving to sibling cable channel USA Network as Esquire Network winds down its linear channel operations and relaunches as an online only service. The show's second season premiered proper on April 18.^[44] Ahead of its third season, the show was also re-titled American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja.

American Ninja Warrior Junior

On May 2, 2018, the second spin-off of American Ninja Warrior, entitled American Ninja Warrior Junior, was announced. Set to premiere on Universal Kids on October 13, 2018, Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila will reprise their roles from ANW as hosts, with Olympic 2016 gold medalist Laurie Hernandez joining as co-host, guiding competitors in head-to-head challenges. The series will feature 200 kids age 9–14 competing along a course of miniature, kid-friendly ANW obstacles such as the warped wall. Similar to ANW, males and females will run along the same course. However, they will be divided into three age groups: 9–10, 11–12 and 13–14,^[45] with each category coached by fan-favorite athletes: Drew Dreschel, Kevin Bull, Natalie Duran, Meagan Martin, Najee Richardson, and Barclay Stockett.^[46]

Awards and nominations

U.S. Nielsen ratings

Notes