American Ninja Warrior Qualifiers to Be Held in Philadelphia

Isaac Caldiero became the first American Ninja Warrior during last year’s competition. | Photo by Kyle Rivas/NBC

If you can get over the fact that half the contestants seem to be parkour professionals, American Ninja Warrior is one of the most fun shows on television. It’s just a simple obstacle course competition, similar to the American Gladiators Eliminator or the 1990s Nickelodeon game shows. But it’s impossible. Adapted from the Japanese show SASUKE, the show becomes such a treat when you realize how hard it is. When someone completes a round of the course — or just gets past a few obstacles, even — it’s a thrill for the audience. Last season, the show finally got a winner: Isaac Caldiero.

This year, Philadelphia is getting in on the action. Trials and regional finals will be held in Philadelphia on May 26th and 27th, according to television audience company On Camera Audiences. The news was first reported by NinjaWarrior.info, a Ninja Warrior training and fan site based in Bryn Mawr.

And, according to casting company A. Deign & Co., the American Ninja Warrior course will be set up at the old Richmond Generating Station on Delaware Avenue near Lewis Street.

The site is owned by Exelon. NBC, which airs American Ninja Warrior, did not return a request for comment.

The period for online application submissions has passed, though A. Deign & Co. says there will be opportunities for walk-on tryouts at some locations. The company says it will post info on its Facebook page when that becomes available.

Free tickets will be released a few weeks before the show tapes and will be available at On Camera Audiences.