American Ninja Warrior Season 17 Finale: Who’s Racing, What’s New, and How to Watch
- Cayden Jones
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
It all comes down to this. The Season 17 finale of American Ninja Warrior crowns a champion Monday, Aug 25 at 8/7c on NBC (stream next day on Peacock). This year’s finish is unlike any other, a head-to-head, bracket-style showdown that trades the traditional four Vegas stages for side-by-side races where only the faster Ninja survives. The winner takes home $250,000 and the title of Season 17 Champion.
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Why this finale is different (and wilder)
Season 17’s National Finals reinvented the endgame: 60 finalists were split into groups and raced each group member once; the two Ninjas with the most wins advanced to a March-Madness-style championship bracket. In the finale, that 32-Ninja bracket continues until only one remains. Former champion Daniel Gil summed it up: it’s no longer “you vs. the course,” it’s you vs. another Ninja, faster wins.
The 32 Ninjas racing for the Season 17 crown
These athletes survived three weeks of Finals racing to make the championship bracket. Expect speed, precision, and zero room for mistakes:
Hans Hertz, Sam Folsom, Evan Lavallee, Amir Malik, Kaden Lebsack, Luke Dillon, Jackson Erdos, Christian Hart, Evan White, Daniel Gil, Noah Meunier, Austin Baron, Matt D’Amico, Caleb Bergstrom, Josiah Pippel, R.J. Roman, Kai Beckstrand, Isabella Folsom, David Bergstrom-Wright, Nacssa Garemore, Luke Beckstrand, Jason Behrends, Kaden Forsha, Joe Moravsky, Enzo DeFerrari Wilson, Ben Behrends, Jay Lewis, Grant Kiningham, Max Feinberg, Elijah Browning, Isaiah Thomas, Taylor Greene.
Storylines to fuel your hype
The Brothers’ Blitz: Kai and Luke Beckstrand, Utah’s lightning-fast siblings, both reached the championship bracket and could collide in a dream sibling showdown. They’ve been among the season’s quickest racers.
Teen Titans of Stage 4: Jay Lewis, Nacssa Garemore, and Noah Meunier are part of the rare group who’ve previously reached Stage Four in past seasons, proof they’ve got end-game power as well as speed.
The Rookie Legend Returns: Kaden Lebsack, the unforgettable Season 13 Last Ninja Standing, knows how to peak deep in the Finals. If this bracket turns into a sprint-plus-grip test, he’s terrifying.
The Veteran Threats: Joe “The Weatherman” Moravsky has been here, done that, and thrives under pressure. Meanwhile, Daniel Gil brings champion pedigree and racecraft to this format.
Power Couple Energy: Sam Folsom & Isabella Folsom are both in the 32, partners in life and on the course. They’ve competed (and won) together in Couples Championship events; don’t be surprised if their strategies look dialed.
What the course will feel like
Producers teased a “back to the classics” vibe this season, bringing back fan-favorite obstacles (like Cannonball Alley) while keeping the side-by-side race format that instantly raises stakes. Expect courses that reward razor-sharp transitions and fearless commitments.
How to watch
Live: Monday, Aug 25 at 8/7c on NBC
Streaming: Peacock the next day (catch up on every Finals race).
Quick fan guide: Keys to victory in a race-finale
Explosive starts: Early missteps are fatal when your opponent is meters away. 2) Commit on transfers: Hesitation kills momentum. 3) Risk calculus: The fastest line isn’t always the safest; great racers know where to send it, and where to breathe. (That’s exactly what this format rewards.)
Season 17’s finale is the purest test of speed, nerves, and precision the show has ever staged. With 32 hungry Ninjas, returning legends, teen phenoms, and even a duo of married competitors in the mix, this bracket is stacked. Clear your Monday night, because by the final buzzer, we’ll have a brand-new champion.
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