NBC Extends 'American Ninja Warrior' Through 2028 with All-Star 20th Season
NBC has renewed the competition series for two additional seasons, bringing it to its 20th edition in 2028. Season 19 will air in summer 2027 with the return of the Mt. Midoriyama course, while season 20 will feature champions from over a dozen countries and former Olympic athletes. The renewal follows the season 18 finale, which saw Josiah Pippel win his first grand prize after six seasons on the show.
The two-season pickup positions the series to align directly with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course will replace equestrian show jumping in the modern pentathlon. Tokyo Broadcasting System, creator of the original Sasuke format, has licensed obstacle designs to the sport's governing body for that event. Season 19 returns to Mt. Midoriyama in Las Vegas, while season 20 shifts to an international format.
Josiah Pippel captured his first grand prize in Monday's season 18 finale after six consecutive appearances, having reached the national finals stage every year without winning. The series is produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions, with Arthur Smith, Kent Weed, Anthony Storm, Brian Richardson and Kristen Stabile serving as executive producers.
This renewal could cement obstacle-course racing as a mainstream spectator sport, particularly as its Olympic debut approaches. Younger viewers who grew up watching the series may find new pathways into athletics, while international champions and Olympic athletes in season 20 could broaden the show's global appeal. The format's licensing to the modern pentathlon may also elevate the credibility of competitive obstacle racing, potentially influencing how other sports organizations view and adopt similar disciplines.