American Ninja Warrior is back, and Season 18 is already shaping up to be one of the most nail-biting competitions yet.

As another lineup of gravity-defying Ninjas steps onto the course, viewers can once again expect jaw-dropping saves, emotional stories of discipline, and unforgettable Buzzer slams as competitors go for the glory. For nearly two decades, ANW has celebrated extraordinary feats of strength while shining a spotlight on everyday people who push themselves to the highest limit. From teachers and firefighters to parents and professional athletes, ANW brings together competitors from all walks of life who share one thing: a drive to conquer one of the world’s most challenging obstacle courses.

In 2026, Season 18 is serving up some hallmark twists and turns, including a revamped Regional Qualifying round in which Ninjas from the West, Central, and East regions of the nation compete for a spot in the all-new Regional Finals, the next big step before National Finals. During the Regional Finals, fans can also expect the introduction of The Tripleheader, a new three-part obstacle course that will determine Season 18’s finalists.

“You’ve got guys and girls from all across the U.S., all here in one place, battling it out on the world’s toughest obstacle courses, and it is just a community and an event like no other,” ANW icon Daniel Gil told NBC Insider last season. “You can really feel the energy while watching the show. I think that’s part of the draw and the entertaining side of it.”

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Stay caught up on how the Ninjas perform in the Qualifiers, Regional Finals, and National Finals, below.

American Ninja Warrior Season 18, Episode 1: Results for the West Regional Qualifiers

Air date: June 8, 2026

In Episode 1 of ANW Season 18, 80 Ninjas from across the Western region of the U.S. were tasked with dominating the Shrinking Steps, Roller Bags, Diamond Dash, Kite Surfer, Kaleidoscope, and Warped Wall obstacles, with many rookies and legends alike sent splashing. Ninjas who managed to scale the Warped Wall in under 1:10 earn a shot at the 18-foot-tall Mega Wall, which grants the successful summiter a $10,000 prize. 

The Top 5 performing Ninjas earn the chance of being sent straight to Round 2 of the Regional Finals, where they’ll face the new Tripleheader.* Check out which Ninjas secured spots in the Regional Finals from the first round of Regional Qualifiers, here:

Josiah Pippel *

Completed Course (00:53.85)

John Mack *

Completed Course (01:04.81)

Kaden Lebsack *

Completed Course (01:06.27)

Sean Bryan *

Completed Course (01:08.12)

Cal Plohoros *

Completed Course (01:09.27)

Max Feinberg

Completed Course (01:20.41)

Max Manson

Completed Course (01:40.79)

Deren Perez

Completed Course (01:43.91)

Xzavian Ochoa

Completed Course (01:47.32)

Simeon Serrano

Completed Course (02:09.81)

Rai Flores

Completed Course (02:22.84)

Colby Player

Completed Course (02:24.64)

Brian Beckstrand

Kaleidoscope (00:54.65)

Luke Filar

Kaleidoscope (01:00.62)

Steven Cen

Kaleidoscope (01:11.62)

Baylee Beckstrand

Completed Course (02:45.20)

Jessie Graff

Completed Course (03:04.26)

Emily Gardiner

Completed Course (04:12.06)

Daniella Blanchard

Warped Wall (03:20.57)

Violet Kepo’o

Kaleidoscope (01:09.08)

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ANW co-hosts Akbar GbajabiamilaMatt Iseman, and Zuri Hall couldn’t be more pumped to welcome another dynamite lineup of Ninjas to the world stage. Which mind-boggling athlete will become our next Last Ninja Standing? Only time will tell, but the need for speed has reached new heights with Season 18’s remix.

“I am so grateful for the fans and for the athletes whose passion makes it possible for us to get to do this,” Iseman told NBC Insider. “Because Akbar and I always feel like we’ve got the best seats in the house for one of the best sporting events in the world.”

Watch new Season 18 episodes of American Ninja Warrior every Monday at 9/8c on NBC all summer long, or stream episodes the next day on Peacock.