August 4, 2025

NBC announced today that American Ninja Warrior has been picked up for Season 18 - its 15th on the network. The veteran athletic competition is a summer staple for NBC, garnering consistently-solid ratings that perform well against its time slot competition.

The current season has reached over 23 million total viewers across NBC and Peacock so far this summer, and is a top 5 summer entertainment show among linear total viewers.

Based on the Japanese series 'Sasuke,' which has now aired 42 seasons, American Ninja Warrior began its stateside run in 2009 on the now-defunct cable channel G4 before moving to NBC in 2012.

The show closely mirrors the original Japanese format, featuring athletes from all walks of life taking on a series of extreme obstacle courses in Las Vegas. Those advancing move on to the final round, which features a four-stage course that closely resembles Japan's well-known Mount Midoriyama course. The winner takes home a grand prize of $250,000.

Hosts Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbajabiamila and Zuri Hall will return to call the action in Season 18. A brand-new round is being introduced next season, featuring a supersized three-lane racecourse, where ninjas will face off head-to-head-to-head in thrilling side-by-side races.