NBC has officially renewed American Ninja Warrior for its 18th season, according to Variety. The popular summer competition series is set to begin filming later this year in Las Vegas, with a notable twist added to its format.
Season 18 will introduce a new supersized three-lane racecourse, which will feature head-to-head-to-head races — a first for the show. Contestants will go up against each other simultaneously on parallel obstacle tracks in a high-speed test of strength, agility, and endurance.
Casting for the upcoming season is already underway, and, as in previous seasons, competitors will battle through a series of physically demanding challenges for the chance to win the grand prize of $250,000. The high-stakes knockout bracket — introduced in Season 17 — will also return as part of the format.
Hosts Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbajabiamila, and Zuri Hall are all confirmed to return to guide viewers through the action-packed course and offer commentary on the competitors’ performances.
American Ninja Warrior remains a cornerstone of NBC’s summer programming. The current 17th season premiered in June and has already reached over 23 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, the network reports.
Produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions, the series is executive produced by Arthur Smith, Kent Weed, Anthony Storm, Brian Richardson, and Kristen Stabile. The show is based on the Japanese hit series Sasuke, which has aired 42 seasons on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television.
In addition to American Ninja Warrior, NBC continues to bolster its unscripted summer lineup with shows like America’s Got Talent and Destination X, along with scripted programming like the Canadian medical drama Transplant, which airs Thursdays.
Season 18 of American Ninja Warrior is expected to deliver even more intense competition with its newly expanded race format and returning fan-favorite hosts.
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