American Ninja Warrior

The broadcast position for host Matt Iseman and co-host Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, seen here in the eighth season alongside a city course

During each episode, the play-by-play announcer and color commentator provide play-by-play on a competitor's run on the course while the sideline reporter introduces the obstacles and interviews competitors.[15]

American Ninja Warrior was originally hosted by G4's Blair Herter and Alison Haislip.[16]

In the second season, comedian and television host Matt Iseman joined the show, replacing Herter. Producers were fond of his knowledge of sports and lighthearted, enthusiastic delivery.[6][17] Additionally, MMA fighter Jimmy Smith was brought in as co-host while Haislip was assigned to the new sideline reporter position.[6][18] The panel remained the same throughout season three.[19]

For season four, Olympic medalist Jonny Moseley was brought in as the new color commentator, replacing Smith. Producers believed his experience as a freestyle skier would bring a unique perspective to the series. Meanwhile, sportscaster and television presenter Angela Sun replaced Haislip.[15]

For season five, two newcomers were introduced. Sports analyst and former NFL player Akbar Gbaja-Biamila replaced Moseley, while ESPN sportscaster and model Jenn Brown replaced Sun as sideline reporter.[20] Gbaja-Biamila was contacted to audition for the role of co-host in Los Angeles after being seen on the NFL Network by one of the series' executive producers.[21] 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, and remained on the show through season 10.[22]

Iseman and Gbaja-Biamila returned to host the eleventh season along with new sideline reporter Zuri Hall.[23] For season 12, the panel remained the same, as it will for the thirteenth season.

Before being eligible to compete, all contestants must first meet a number of requirements. Some of the requirements are; (1). Contestants must be legal residents of the United States. (2). Contestants must be in decent physical shape. (3). There is no maximum age limit, but contestants must be at least 19 years of age to apply (21 years old during the first nine seasons). Starting in Season 13 the producers asked specific teens ages 15–18 to submit a video to be on the show. (4). Contestants must fill out a 20-question questionnaire and make a video about themselves.[24] Video length requirements have varied from two to eight minutes, depending on the season. (It is currently two to three minutes).[25]

About 1,000 people applied to compete in the first season,[26] 3,500 in the fifth season,[27] 5,000 in the sixth season,[28] 50,000 in the seventh season,[26] 70,000 in the eighth season,[29] and 77,000 in the ninth season.[30] 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 a course to compete on it.[26]

City qualifier and finals courses are filmed back-to-back, usually over two nights.[31]

Indianapolis city qualifier entrance during the eighth season

In each city qualifier course, the competitors that the producers have selected compete on an obstacle course consisting of six obstacles.

At the beginning of each run, a buzzer sounds off and a timer begins, allowing a competitor to start the course. The first obstacle on any city qualifying course is the Quintuple Steps, Quad Steps, Floating Steps, or Shrinking Steps which competitors must run across. This is followed by four different obstacles that test a competitor's balance, upper-body strength, and grip. These five obstacles are built above water (although the balance obstacles were built above a safety mat until season 8). If a competitor falls into the water or touches it, their run ends immediately and the timer records their time.

Until the ninth season, the sixth and final obstacle was the 14'6" Warped Wall, in which competitors were given three chances to reach the top. In the tenth season, the 18-foot "Mega Wall" was introduced adjacent to the Warped Wall. Competitors had only one attempt to reach the top of the Mega Wall and, if successful, they won $10,000. In the eleventh season, competitors choosing the Mega Wall who failed on their first attempt could earn $5,000 on their second attempt and $2,500 on their third if they were successful on, respectively, their second or third attempts. Competitors are given the choice of which to climb.

At the top of both walls, a competitor presses a buzzer that stops the timer and records their time, ending their run on the course. The top 30 competitors who go the farthest in the least amount of time advance to the city finals course. Since the fifth season, competitors who complete the city qualifiers automatically move on to the city finals. Since the ninth season, the top five women also advance to the city finals, even if they do not finished in the top 30.[32]

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. In the tenth season, two of the original six obstacles are replaced with new obstacles for the city finals course, but this was dropped in season eleven.

The top 15 or 12 competitors who go the farthest in the least amount of time from each city finals course move on to compete on the National Finals course. Since the fifth season, competitors who complete the city finals automatically move on to the National Finals. Since the ninth season, 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 or 12. Previously, many women had been granted "wildcard" slots, which allowed them to advance to the National Finals.[32] Since the eighth season, small prizes ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are awarded to first, second, and third finishers who complete the city finals course.[33]

In the first three seasons, there was a semi-finals course in between the city finals and the National Finals courses, where the top 15 competitors from the city finals course were narrowed down to 10 and then sent to Japan to compete on Sasuke.[16] In the second and third seasons, this was referred to as "boot camp" and took place at a summer camp in Simi Valley, California.[6][34] During this time, competitors trained together for multiple days and took part in pressure challenges.[18][19] With the expansion of the series in its fourth season, there was no longer a need to narrow down competitors to 10, as they were no longer being sent to Japan, and this semi-finals course was removed.[5]

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

Obstacles are designed and produced in the five months prior to an episode taping. In the fourth season, each location contained one or two obstacles that differed between other locations. Since the fifth season, three to five obstacles have differed. In the eighth season, 18 obstacles were debuted.[31][35] In the tenth season, the show's first underwater obstacle was introduced during Stage 2 of the National Finals.[36]

Beginning with the ninth season, fans of the show have been given the opportunity to design their own obstacles through the ANW Obstacle Design Challenge. Seven fan-submitted obstacles have been featured on the series thus far.

In the first three seasons, the top 10 ANW competitors advanced to a Sasuke finals course in Japan. Since season four (except for season twelve), ANW has had a finals course on the Las Vegas Strip known as "Mount Midoriyama." The National Finals course consists of four stages, each containing obstacles of increasing difficulty. The course is about the same size as four football fields[35] and contains 23 obstacles.

Stage 1 consists of eight obstacles, which test the competitors' agility and speed. The first stage is timed, and only the competitors who successfully complete it within 2:35 advance to Stage 2.

Stage 2 contains six obstacles that test competitors' strength and speed. Competitors must complete the course within a time limit in order to advance to Stage 3. The time limit through the first nine seasons was 4:00.[37] In the tenth season, the time limit was increased by 30 seconds.[36]

Stage 3 consists of eight obstacles that test competitors' upper body and grip strength.[36] It is the only stage in the National Finals that has no time limit. Like Stages 1 and 2, only the competitors who successfully complete Stage 3 move on to compete on Stage 4. Starting in Season 10, Stage 3 has a clock that counts up to determine any tiebreaking times should no contestant advance from Stage 3, since the format guarantees prize money to the contestant that advances the furthest on the course, and the tiebreaker is based on how fast the contestants reached the previous obstacle prior to failing.

Stage 4 contains the final obstacle of the National Finals courses—a rope climb. Competitors must complete this rope climb in :30 or less in order to be crowned as "American Ninja Warrior." The rope climb's height was 50 feet from the first through third seasons,[38] and was increased to 65 feet in the fourth season.[39] It has been increased since to 75 feet.[13]

Aside from the first season, if a competitor completes all four stages of the National Finals, they receive a cash prize. In the second season, the prize money was $250,000.[4] In the third season, the prize was an endorsement deal with K-Swiss worth $500,000 and to become the face of a national advertisement campaign for the company as well as G4.[19] In the fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons, the cash prize was $500,000.[6] From the seventh to eleventh season, the cash prize has been $1,000,000.[12]

From the second through seventh seasons, the fastest competitor to beat the final stage would receive the full prize money, regardless of whether other competitors completed Stage 4 as well. Beginning with the eighth season, if multiple competitors completed Stage 4, the competitors split the prize money.[33]

Starting in the tenth season, a guaranteed $100,000 cash prize is offered, without regard of a player finishing all four stages. The player who advances the furthest on the course in the fastest time is declared the "Last Ninja Standing," and wins the prize. If any competitor finishes all four stages, the prize money is augmented to $1,000,000. If one competitor finishes Stage 4, he wins the entirety of the augmented prize. If multiple competitors completed Stage 4, the prize money is split among competitors that finished Stage 4, with the fastest competitor still declared the overall champion.[36]

The first season of American Ninja Warrior began production in July 2009.[3] The season premiered on December 12, 2009, on G4, and concluded on December 19, 2009. It consisted of eight half-hour episodes. The qualifying round took place in Venice Beach, where a tryout was opened, meaning, competitors from across the United States had to fly themselves there to compete.[16] Levi Meeuwenberg was the Last Ninja Standing, having gone the farthest in the least amount of time among the American competitors on Sasuke 23.[6]

The second season premiered on December 8, 2010, on G4, and concluded on December 23, 2010, after 10 hour-long episodes.[2] Qualifiers were held in Venice Beach in August.[4] Out of the 10 competitors sent to Japan to compete on Sasuke 26, five completed Stage 1, four completed Stage 2, while none completed Stage 3.[34] David Campbell was the Last Ninja Standing, having been the American gone the farthest in the least amount of time on Stage 3.[6]

The third season had the same format as the second season but aired in the summer. Qualifiers were held in Venice Beach in May.[40] It premiered on July 31, 2011, on G4, and concluded on August 21, 2011.[2] The finale was aired again on August 22, 2011, as a two-hour primetime special on NBC.[34] In addition to the 10 Americans sent to compete on Sasuke, one fan of ANW got the chance to compete as well. This was the result of an eBay auction in which proceeds were sent to the American Red Cross to help with recovery efforts following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.[15] During Sasuke 27, four of the six competitors who reached Stage 3 were American—a new record. Previously, only one American would reach Stage 3 per Sasuke competition.[9][41] David Campbell was again the Last Ninja Standing, having gone the farthest in the least amount of time among the American competitors on Stage 3.[6]

Filming at the entrance of the Venice, Los Angeles course during the fourth season

The fourth season was notable for differentiating American Ninja Warrior from Sasuke and began what is known as "the modern era" of the series.[6] Following the ratings success of the third season's NBC primetime special, the fourth season aired on both G4 and NBC.[6][41] It premiered on May 20, 2012, on G4, and concluded on July 23, 2012, on NBC. Regional qualifier courses were aired on G4, while the regional finals courses aired on NBC.[15][42] With an increased production budget,[6] preliminary rounds were held in three locations across the United States. Six regional competitions (Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Northwest, Midsouth, and Southeast) took place in Venice Beach, Dallas, and Miami.[41] During the National Finals, which were held for the first time in the United States,[6][15] Brent Steffensen was the only competitor to reach Stage 3 and became the Last Ninja Standing.[6] He went further on Stage 3 than any American had ever gone before—including on Sasuke.[35]

The fifth season premiered on June 30, 2013, on G4, and concluded on September 16, 2013, on NBC. City qualifiers and finals courses aired on both G4 and NBC.[42] Regional competitions were held in four locations: Venice Beach, Baltimore, Miami, and Denver.[43] In the Venice Beach qualifier, Jessie Graff became the first woman to qualify for a city finals course.[32] During the National Finals, 41-year-old Joyce Shahboz became the first woman to compete there twice in two years (as a wild card),[27] while Brian Arnold fell on the final obstacle of Stage 3 and won the title of Last Ninja Standing.[12]

The sixth season premiered on May 26, 2014, and concluded on September 8, 2014, with original episodes airing solely on NBC. Regional competitions were held in Venice Beach, Dallas, St. Louis, Miami, and Denver.[42] In the Dallas qualifier, Kacy Catanzaro became the first female competitor to make it up the Warped Wall. Later in the Dallas finals, she became the first woman to complete a city finals course. Catanzaro's two runs have been described as the first "viral moment" of the show and are credited with increasing the seventh season's submissions ten times over.[12][44] During the National Finals, Joe Moravsky fell on the antepenultimate obstacle of Stage 3[45] and became the sixth season's Last Ninja Standing.[12]

The seventh season premiered on May 25, 2015, and ended on September 14, 2015.[42] Regional competitions were held in six locations, including two in Los Angeles. In addition to Venice Beach, a special military edition was held in San Pedro for competitors who are either current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Regional competitions were also held in Kansas City, Houston, Orlando, and Pittsburgh.[46][47] During Stage 3 of the National Finals, two competitors, Isaac Caldiero and Geoff Britten, completed the course and advanced to Stage 4, marking the first time any competitor(s) completed Stage 3.[12] During Stage 4, Britten completed the rope climb in 0:29.65 seconds out of a maximum of 30 seconds, earning the title of "First American Ninja Warrior"[13] for being the first to complete all six courses (city qualifying, city finals, and four stages of Mount Midoriyama) in a single season,[48] and Caldiero completed the rope climb in 0:26.14 seconds out of a maximum of 30 seconds, earning the title of "Second American Ninja Warrior" and $1,000,000.

The Fly Wheels, the third obstacle on the Indianapolis city course in the eighth season

The eighth season of the series began on June 1, 2016, and concluded on September 12, 2016.[42] The eighth season marked a 40 percent increase in the number of female submission videos from the previous season. Regional competitions were held in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, and Philadelphia. During the Philadelphia finals, no competitor completed the course—a first in the series' history. In Stage 1 of the National Finals, many "veterans" of the show, including Ryan Stratis, Brent Steffensen, Travis Rosen, James McGrath, Jamie Rahn, Mike Bernardo, Kevin Bull, Ian Dory, Jojo Bynum, and Geoff Britten, did not complete the course. As a result, only 17 competitors advanced to Stage 2—the lowest in the series' history. However, Jessie Graff became the first woman to complete Stage 1, placing fifth.[49][50] On Stage 3, Drew Drechsel fell during his run and became the Last Ninja Standing.[32]

The ninth season premiered on June 12, 2017, and ended on September 18, 2017. Qualifiers were held in Los Angeles, San Antonio, Daytona Beach, Kansas City, Cleveland, and Denver.[42] A record of 41 competitors successfully completed Stage 1 during the National Finals, including David Campbell, Ryan Stratis, Drew Drechsel, and Allyssa Beird, who became just the second woman to complete it.[49] Stage 2 saw every competitor eliminated less Joe Moravsky, Sean Bryan, and Najee Richardson. However, none would go on to complete Stage 3. Bryan and Richardson fell on the Ultimate Cliffhanger, while Moravsky fell on the penultimate obstacle and became the Last Ninja Standing.[32][37]

The tenth season began airing on May 30, 2018, and ended on September 10, 2018. City qualifier and finals competitions were held in Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis.[42] Drew Drechsel and Sean Bryan—the two competitors to reach Stage 3 of the National Finals—both fell during their runs. However, Drechsel fell at a faster time than Bryan, crowning him the Last Ninja Standing. As the result of a format change introduced this season, Drechsel was also the first Last Ninja Standing to win $100,000 for being the competitor who went the farthest in the least amount of time on the National Finals course but did not complete Stage 4.[36][51] In 1 episode they did a Jurassic World night and showed a sneak peek of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

The eleventh season started its premiere on May 29, 2019, and ended on September 16, 2019.[52] City qualifier and finals competitions were held in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Oklahoma City, Seattle/Tacoma, marking the first time that a course was held in the Pacific Northwest, Baltimore, and Cincinnati. New rules regarding the Mega Wall obstacle, which was introduced in the previous season, came into effect. Competitors were given three chances to make it up the wall, but the prize money decreased after each attempt, starting at $10,000, then decreasing to $5,000, and finally $2,500. This season also introduced the Power Tower, where the top two finishers from each city qualifying would race on a giant metal structure to gain the "Speed Pass", which guaranteed them a spot in the National Finals. In City Finals, the Power Tower was modified, and the top two finishers would race for the "Safety Pass", which allowed them to rerun the course in either one of the first two stages (Stage 1 or Stage 2) if they fail. 28 of the 86 finalists completed Stage 1, and a record of an astounding 21 athletes completed Stage 2, and both Drew Drechsel and Daniel Gil completed Stage 3 of the National Finals. Daniel Gil was not able to complete the rope climb on Stage 4 in the 30-second time limit, but Drew Drechsel was able to climb it in 27.46 seconds, earning him the title of "Third American Ninja Warrior" and $1,000,000. In 1 episode they did Angry Birds obstacles in honor of Angry Birds Movie 2

On January 22, 2020, the series was renewed for a twelfth season, which premiered on September 7, 2020. For the first time, a Spanish-language version airs on Telemundo. Qualifying cities originally included returns to Los Angeles and St. Louis with a new location, Washington, D.C., with the National Finals initially set to be held again held in Las Vegas.[53] Production of the season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic with filming interrupted in the middle of production on the show, just a day before it was set to begin.[54][55] On August 12, 2020, it was announced that the season would premiere on September 7. The season, consisting of eight episodes, was filmed at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri; ANW was the first NBC series to have completed a full season of episodes during the current pandemic.[56]

The thirteenth season consists of 12 episodes aired from May 31 to September 13, 2021. The official age limit was 19, but it was revealed that 35 competitors between the ages of 15 and 18 were invited to compete. The season had 12 episodes, and a season format more similar to that of the fourth to eleventh seasons. There were 5 qualifying episodes, all of which were taped in the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. The top 30 competitors and top 5 women from each episode advanced to the semifinals. There were 4 semifinals episodes, all of which were filmed in the Universal Studios backlot in Los Angeles, California. In the semifinals, the Power Tower returned, and the two competitors who finished their semifinals course the fastest would compete on it for the Safety Pass. Those who won the Safety Pass were granted the advantage of being able to retry Stage 1 or Stage 2 if they fell on it. The four competitors who won the Safety Passes were Brian Burkhardt, Joe Moravsky, Vance Walker, and Austin Gray. The top 15 competitors and top 3 women from each semifinal episode would advance to the National Finals, which returned to Las Vegas, Nevada after not being held there the previous season due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. As with all of the seasons before the previous, competitors had to complete all of the obstacles of a stage on the first try in order to move on to the next stage, unless they won a Safety Pass. 68 competitors reached the National Finals, including 18 of the original 35 ninjas under 19 years old. 27 competitors completed Stage 1 and advanced to Stage 2, but Joe Moravsky had to use his Safety Pass to move on after missing the moving ring on the High Road. Another notable competitor to advance was Jesse Labreck, who, after failing the final obstacle 3 times in a row before season 12, became the first woman to advance to Stage 2 since Allyssa Beird in 2017, and only the third woman to advance to Stage 2 in the show's history. Only 4 of the 27 competitors completed Stage 2 and advanced to Stage 3: Vance Walker, Austin Gray, Kyle Soderman, and Kaden Lebsack. Brian Burkhardt failed the Double Salmon Ladder, used his Safety Pass, and then failed on the Epic Air Surfer. Vance Walker also failed the Double Salmon Ladder and used his Safety Pass, but he was able to then complete the stage. Austin Gray was the only competitor of the season to have a Safety Pass and not use it. On Stage 3, Kyle Soderman failed on the Ultimate Cliffhanger, and Vance Walker and Austin Gray failed on the Eyeglass Alley. Kaden Lebsack was the only competitor to finish Stage 3, and the fifth competitor to finish Stage 3 in the show's history, after Isaac Caldiero, Geoff Britten, Drew Drechsel, and Daniel Gil. But, on Stage 4, Lebsack timed out about 65 feet up. In Season 13, no ninja was able to defeat Mount Midoriyama, but by going the furthest the fastest, Kaden Lebsack was declared the Last Ninja Standing and granted $100,000.

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

All of the international competitions have been hosted by Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila. The first two included sideline reporter Jenn Brown. The next four included Kristine Leahy as the sideline reporter. The seventh included Zuri Hall as the sideline reporter.

The first international showdown was called USA vs. Japan, while the rest were named USA vs. The World. The first global competition aired on January 13, 2014, and was won by Team USA. The second global competition aired on September 15, 2014, and was won by Team Europe. The third global competition aired on January 31, 2016, and was won by Team USA. The fourth global competition was aired on June 4, 2017, and was again won by Team USA. The fifth global competition aired on March 11, 2018, and was won by Team Europe. The sixth global competition aired on January 27, 2019. For the first time, each team had at least one female competitor. It was won by Team USA. The seventh global competition aired on January 26, 2020, and was won by Team Australia.

On May 29, 2016, prior to the premiere of season eight, NBC aired a two-hour all-star special in which hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila chose their own all-star teams composed of three veterans, one rookie, and one woman. Teams competed on Stages 2, 3, and 4 of the regular season finals course, Mt. Midoriyama, as well as competitions on a supersized course that tested their skills in competitions on the Giant Pegboard, Supersonic Shelf Grab, Super Salmon Ladder, and Giant Jump Hang, concluding with a race to the top of the Mega Wall.

• There are 3 heats on Stage 2, 2 heats on Stage 3, and a side-by-side climb-off on Stage 4.
• In each heat, one athlete from Team Matt and Team Akbar will run.
• Stages 2 and 3 = 1 point
• Stage 4 = 3 points
• The team with the most points wins the competition.

Both Joe Moravsky and Lance Pekus completed Stage 2 for Team Matt, with Daniel Gil also completing it for Team Akbar. Moravsky finished in a record time of 1:08:52.

Both Meagan Martin from Team Akbar and Jessie Graff from Team Matt made history as the first two women to attempt Stage 3, and they both made it to the Ultimate Cliffhanger.

It was Lance Pekus of Team Matt vs. Flip Rodriguez of Team Akbar. Rodriguez won the competition for Team Akbar with a time of 0:30.23, making this the POM Wonderful "Run of the Night".

Final Score: Team Akbar: 5, Team Matt: 3

Champions: Team Akbar

• Giant Pegboard: Brian Arnold
• Supersonic Shelf Grab: Drew Drechsel and Isaac Caldiero
• Super Salmon Ladder: Mike Bernardo
• Giant Jump Hang: JJ Woods and Nicholas Coolridge
• Mega Wall: Flip Rodriguez

On February 20, 2017, NBC aired a second two-hour all-star special. Like the previous year's competition, ANW hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila chose their own all-star teams, this year composed of one veteran, one breakout star, and one woman. Team Matt featured Chris Wilczewski, Najee Richardson, and Jesse "Flex" Lebreck. Team Akbar featured Grant McCartney, Neil "Crazy" Craver, and Meagan Martin. Sideline interviewer Kristine Leahy picked her team, which consisted of Jessie Graff, Flip Rodriguez, and Nicholas Coolridge. Teams competed in a relay race to finish sections of Stages 1, 2, and 3 of the regular season finals course, Mt. Midoriyama. Next came the skills competition on a supersized course, where contestants tested their skills in competition on the 75-feet tall Endless Invisible Climb, the 4-story high Super Salmon Ladder, Striding Steps, Big Air Grab, Mega Wall, now 20 feet high, Thunderbolt, and Supersonic Shelf Grab.

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• All three teams will run Stage 1 as a relay race.
• Each ninja runs through a few obstacles and tags their teammate.
• The team with the fastest time gets a free pass to the finals on Stage 3.
• The other two teams will battle it out on Stage 2 for the other spot in the finals.
• Whichever team clocks the fastest time on Stage 3 wins the competition.

Team Kristine gets the fastest time of the season with a time of 1:18.78, beating Team Akbar's time of 1:25.42. Despite flying through the first four obstacles, Team Matt failed on Sonic Curve and could not post a time.

Both Jesse Labreck from Team Matt and Meagan Martin from Team Akbar made history as the first two women to get past the Wave Runner. Team Matt failed on the Double Wedge and eliminated Team Akbar, who failed on the Butterfly Wall.

Team Kristine completed Stage 3 in a record time of 5:30:62, making this the POM Wonderful Run of the Night. Team Matt made it all the way to the Hang Climb before failing.

Champions: Team Kristine

• Endless Invisible Climb: James McGrath
• Super Salmon Ladder: Karsten Williams
• Striding Steps: Thomas Stillings
• Big Air Grab: Nicholas Coolridge
• Mega Wall: Jon Alexis Jr.
• Thunderbolt: Geoff Britten
• Supersonic Shelf Grab: Drew Drechsel

On May 17, 2018, NBC aired a third two-hour all-star special. Like the last two seasons' competition, ANW hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, along with Kristine Leahy, chose their all-star teams composed of two male veterans and one female veteran. The reigning champs, Team Kristine (gray/pink), featured: Jessie Graff, Flip Rodriguez, and JJ Woods. Team Matt (blue) featured: Jamie Rahn, Lance Pekus, and Jesse Labreck. Team Akbar featured first-time all-stars: Allyssa Beird, Jon Alexis Jr., and Tyler Yamauchi, as well as competitions on a supersized course that tested their skills in competitions, which consisted of climbing the Super Salmon Ladder, 4 stories high in the fastest time, a speed and balance challenge on the Striding Steps, an upper body test on the Thunderbolt, the Wicked Wingnuts, and a new obstacle, the Mega Spider Climb, where eight women all-stars raced side-by-side 80 feet up to the top of the Stage 4 tower.

• Super Salmon Ladder: Sean Bryan
• Striding Steps: Jake Murray
• Thunderbolt: Jamie Rahn
• Wicked Wingnuts: Drew Drechsel
• Mega Spider Climb: Jessie Graff (POM Wonderful Run of the Night)

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• All three teams will run Stage 1 as a relay race.
• Each ninja runs through a few obstacles and tags their teammate.
• The team with the fastest time gets a free pass to the finals on Stage 3.
• The other two teams will battle it out on Stage 2 for the other spot in the finals.
• Whichever team clocks the fastest time on Stage 3 wins the competition.

All three teams completed Stage 1 in record time. Team Matt finished in 1:14.82. Team Akbar finished in 1:26.33. Team Kristine finished in 1:13.83, the fastest time of the season.

Team Matt completed Stage 2 with a time of 3:12.70, eliminating Team Akbar, who failed on the Swing Surfer.

Both teams completed Stage 3. Team Matt finished in 6:17.96, and Team Kristine finished in 6:12.06, winning the competition for the second year in a row.

Champions: Team Kristine

The fourth all-stars special aired on May 26, 2019, on NBC, prior to the eleventh season's premiere.[57]

Just like the last three seasons' competition, ANW hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, along with Kristine Leahy, chose their all-star teams consisting of two male veterans and one female veteran. Two-time winner Team Kristine (gray/pink), focused on young all-stars: Mathis "Kid" Owhadi, Tyler Gillett, and Barclay Stockett. Team Matt (blue) reached out on the same team that just missed out on winning last season: Jamie Rahn, Lance Pekus, and Jesse "Flex" LaBreck. Team Akbar (red) featured: Grant McCartney, Meagan Martin, and Jake Murray. Next came the skills competition on a supersized course, where contestants tested their skills in competition on the 80-foot tall Mega Spider Climb, Wicked Wingnuts, an upper body test on the Dual Doorknob Drop, a side-by-side race on the Striding Steps, 4-story Super Salmon Ladder, and a fun new obstacle, the Big Dipper Freestyle.

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• All three teams will run Stage 1 as a relay race.
• Each ninja runs through a few obstacles and tags their teammate.
• The team with the fastest time gets a free pass to the finals on Stage 3.
• The other two teams will battle it out on Stage 2 for the other spot in the finals.
• Whichever team clocks the fastest time on Stage 3 wins the competition.

Team Matt gets the fastest time of the season with a time of 1:20.48, beating Team Akbar's time of 1:22.40. Despite flying through the first four obstacles, Team Kristine failed on Tire Run and could not post a time.

Team Kristine failed on the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder and got eliminated by Team Akbar, who failed on the Swing Surfer.

Both teams completed Stage 3 (6 obstacles). Team Akbar finished in 4:59.06, and Team Matt finished in 4:52.63, winning the competition for the first time ever.

Champions: Team Matt

• Mega Spider Climb: Chris Wilczewski
• Wicked Wingnuts: Adam Rayl
• Dual Doorknob Drop: Josh Levin
• Striding Steps: Joe Moravsky
• Super Salmon Ladder: Sean Bryan
• Big Dipper Freestyle: Sean Bryan

The fifth all-stars (skills challenge) special aired on August 31, 2020, on NBC, a week before the start of the twelfth season's premiere. Like previous seasons' competition, ANW hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila returned, this time with Zuri Hall as the sideline reporter picking her first team this year, as well as competitions on a supersized course that tested their skills in competitions, which consisted of the Fearsome Ferris Wheel, Striding Steps, Mega Spider Climb, Big Dipper Freestyle. They chose their all-star teams consisting of two male veterans and one female veteran. Team Matt (blue): Karsten "Big Kat" Williams, Ryan Stratis, and Michelle Warnky. Team Akbar (red): Grant McCartney, Jake Murray, and Allyssa Beird. Team Zuri (yellow), like herself, Zuri chose a team of rookies: David "Cake Ninja" Wright, Seth Rogers, and Mady Howard.

Note: Some of the skills competition events that featured Drew Drechsel as one of the competitors were not shown on the special, due to US legal proceedings.

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• All three teams will run Stage 1 as a relay race.
• Each ninja runs through a few obstacles and tags their teammate.
• The team with the fastest time gets a free pass to the finals on Stage 3.
• The other two teams will battle it out on Stage 2 for the other spot in the finals.
• Whichever team clocks the fastest time on Stage 3 wins the competition.

Both Team Zuri and Team Matt completed Stage 1. Team Zuri finished with a time of 2:31.48, and Team Matt finished with a time of 2:29.16. Despite being the fastest through the first six obstacles, Team Akbar failed on the Diving Boards and could not post a time.

• Fearsome Ferris Wheel: Dave Cavanagh

Both teams completed Stage 2. Team Zuri finished in 2:34.11, and Team Akbar finished in 2:00.71.

• Striding Steps: Ben Udy
• Mega Spider Climb: Michael Torres

Team Matt completed Stage 3, winning the competition for the second year in a row. Team Akbar made it all the way to Cane Lane before failing.

Champions: Team Matt

• Big Dipper Freestyle: Jessie Graff and Grant McCartney

Celebrity Ninja Warrior is a special episode of ANW where celebrities compete on a modified American Ninja Warrior course and are coached by ANW competitors. The special aired as part of Red Nose Day, with money raised during the event donated to Comic Relief USA. Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila hosted both editions alongside ANW sideline reporter Kristine Leahy.

The first special aired on May 25, 2017. Nine celebrities competed. For every obstacle the celebrities completed, M&M's and The Rockefeller Foundation pledged to donate $5,000.. A total of $100,000 was raised.

The second special aired on May 24, 2018, and is notable for being the only time one of the show's hosts (Akbar Gbaja-Biamila) has actually run the course in competition. Each obstacle a celebrity completed raised $5,000 for Red Nose Day; earning up to $30,000 for finishing the whole course. A total of $185,000 was raised, courtesy of Comcast.

A special, American Ninja Warrior Women's Championship aired on May 9, 2021, on NBC at 7:00pm EDT. It featured 12 female competitors that battled through three rounds. In Round 1, all 12 women will face a six-obstacle course. The top 6 women will advance to Round 2, the extended ten-obstacle course. The top four women will advance to race head-to-head on the Power Tower. The winner takes home $50,000 and becomes the first-ever ANW female champion.[60]

ANW Women's Champion: Meagan Martin (in a come from behind win over Jesse "Flex" Lebreck on the Power Tower).

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 winner and receive a cash prize. Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila host alongside actor and journalist, Alex Curry. The series is Esquire Network's most-watched program in the channel's history.

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. 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. Ahead of its third season, the show was also re-titled American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja.

On May 2, 2018, the second spin-off of American Ninja Warrior—entitled American Ninja Warrior Junior— was announced. Premiered on Universal Kids on October 13, 2018, Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila reprised their roles from ANW as hosts, with Olympic 2016 gold medalist Elijah Browning joining as co-host, guiding competitors in head-to-head challenges. The series will feature 142 kids ages 9–14 competing along a course of miniature ANW obstacles such as the Sky hooks. Similar to ANW, males and females will run along the same course, and similarly to Ninja vs. Ninja and College Madness, competitors compete head-to-head. However, they will be divided into three age groups: 9–10, 11–12 and 13–14, with each category coached by fan-favorite athletes: Korey Kade, Lucas Gomes, Calle Alexander, Caleb Bergie, Danny Bergie, and Natalie Duran. In May 2021, it was announced that the third season would be moving to Peacock.