Summertime in the United States is a great time for families to bond over baseball games, barbecues, and the hit television show American Ninja Warrior, which has over the last several seasons become a major summer hit.
Families across the country gather around the television each Monday night to watch amateur athletes compete on obstacle courses that are increasingly wild, challenging and entertaining for viewers. The person who completes the course in the fastest time wins $1,000,000 and the right to the title of America Ninja Warrior for the year.
The show holds five regional competitions across the country, finding the best ninjas to compete in the finals in Las Vegas, which will be aired later this summer.
Universal Studios, Los Angeles
The show holds a regional competition in sunny California, and there’s no better place than the Los Angeles Universal Studios back lot. Universal Studios is where many of the best television and movie shows are filmed.
The wildness of the salmon ladder and warp wall fit right in among the massive and spectacular filming locations like the full-fledged airplane disaster set.
Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Across the country in Atlanta, Georgia, fans gather from across the southeast to cheer on the athletes as they compete on the course, running and jumping through the obstacles on their way to Las Vegas and the chance to compete for a million dollars.
The show is filmed outside the Mercedes Benz Stadium in downtown Atalanta, where the Falcons NFL team play, concerts are held, and other major events take place.
Oklahoma State Capitol, Oklahoma City
In downtown Oklahoma City, hopefuls have the chance to compete for a million dollars in the shadow of the state capitol building.
American Ninja Warrior episodes were filmed earlier in the year, but contestants and audience members do a great job of keeping the results a surprise for the viewing audience.
Tacoma Dome, Seattle/Tacoma
Seattle and Tacoma are two of Washington’s largest cities and often share sites and resources, including the Tacoma Dome, which hosts concerts, sports events and other major events.
American Ninja Warrior is filmed onsite, attracting contenders from across the Pacific Northwest.
Downtown Cincinnati
For those from the east and northeast United States, Cincinnati is the best location for competitors seeking a path to Las Vegas. On the banks of the Ohio River, ninjas run, jump, and muscle their way to the buzzer for their shot at the opportunity to become the next American Ninja Warrior.
The Strip, Las Vegas
After qualifying and elimination rounds at each regional location, the best ninjas from across the country meet in Las Vegas where they compete under the dazzling lights and energy of the Las Vegas Strip, making the event even more exciting for both contestants and viewers alike.
Each year the course is revised to be more difficult, taxing the athletic ability, metal acuity and psychological endurance of the athletes. Ninjas have time between their qualification and final rounds of competition to prepare for the increased challenge, but even the best struggle to complete the crazy obstacles.
In the eleven seasons, only two people have completed the course. Recently, the show has instituted a cash award for the competitor who makes it through the most of the course in the shortest time, even if they don’t complete it and win the $1,000,000.
The final episodes will air over the next few weeks on Monday nights on NBC. Be sure to tune in for the drama as we watch to see if America gets a new Ninja Warrior.