NINJA CHAMPIONSHIPS
2025 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, USA
The Ninja World Championships are Ninja speed competitions held on a 2-lane, 100 meter course with 10 to 12 obstacles. The format is similar to Ninja versus Ninja, American Ninja Warrior Junior, and Team Ninja Warrior TV show competitions.
This event will include senior and youth courses. Although all age categories are eligible to compete, there will be limited modifications to courses. Some youth, masters and veteran athletes may not be capable of completing all obstacles.
Individual women, individual men and mixed relays from national teams compete head-to-head to be World Champions! Athletes who are not on a national team (qualified by the national association/federation) are ineligible for awards. Athletes must be qualified in a competitive category, on a national team, to compete to be a World Champion.
The course will be open for fun runs for fans of American Ninja Warrior and the general public!
EVENTS
- Individual Women
- Individual Men
- National Team Relay (two women + two men)
CATEGORIES
Competitive race categories in 2025 include individual men and women in:
Elite: No age limits
Youth (10/11, 12/13, 14/15)
Junior (16/17, 18/19)
Senior (20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39)
Masters (40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59)
Veterans (60+ in 2-year increments to the oldest athlete)
Open (Senior course, no upper or lower age limits, non-team athletes only, time and rankings included, no semi finals or finals)
REGISTRATION
Registration dates and fees will be announced in December
EVENT HOSTS
The City of Birmingham, City Walk BHAM, Eventive Sports and USA Ninja Association are the 2025 Ninja World Championship hosts. Course build by The ATS Team, set shop for Ninja Warrior TV shows worldwide.
SCHEDULE
Preliminary schedule of events – SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Wednesday 4/9
Arrivals, packet pick up, course practice, technical briefing
Thursday 4/10
Arrivals, packet pick up, qualification runs, opening ceremonies
Friday 4/11
Morning: packet pick up, qualification runs,
Afternoon: qualification runs,
Evening: semi-finals
Night: finals, medal ceremonies, entertainment
Saturday 4/12
Morning: packet pick up, qualification runs
Afternoon: qualification runs
Evening: Semi-finals
Night: Finals, medal ceremonies, entertainment
Sunday 4/13
Morning: packet pick up, qualification runs
Afternoon: qualification runs
Evening: Semi-finals
Night: Finals, medal ceremonies, entertainment closing ceremonies
Monday 4/14
Departures
COMPETITION DETAILS
AWARDS
Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded for top three in each age group. Only members of a national team, qualified by their national association are eligible for awards. Medal tally will be kept for the top-performing countries.
AGE DEFINITION
Age category for Youth, Junior, and Veteran athletes is the age of the athlete on race day. Age group category for Senior and older athletes is the age you are on December 31st, 2024 (the age you turn this year). An athlete who is 15 years old on race day and turns 16 before December 31st in the year of competition shall compete in the Junior (14/15) category. Athletes cannot compete in more than one category.
ANTI-DOPING
FISO has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code and World Obstacle Anti-Doping Rules are implemented to advance FISO’s continuing efforts to prevent doping in the sport. All athletes of legal age (18 years old and over) racing in competitive categories in FISO world level events are encouraged to complete the WADA Anti-Doping e-Learning (ADeL) talented athlete education programme and provide the certificate of completion prior to competing. ADeL is proved free of charge. Register and complete the programme on the WADA ADeL website, then download your completion certificate and upload during race registration, or show at packet-pick up with your photo ID. Instructions for creating an account:
- Register on the ADeL platform (green button, top right)
- Accept all cookies when asked
- In the Language field select your preferred language (you will enter your native language later)
- In the Role, field select “Athletes”
- In the Sport field select “Obstacle Sports”
- In the Level in sport (Athlete) field select “International-level athlete (competing internationally – Major Games)
- In the Discipline field, type “Ninja”
The WADA prohibited substances and methods list are available for download from the World Obstacle Anti-doping page.
ELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE
The Ninja World Championships is open to all qualified athletes. Priority is given to:
- Athlete on a national team qualified by a national member federation of World Obstacle and UIPM.
- Athlete members of a national member federation of World Obstacle and UIPM.
- International athletes (those not representing the host nation, the United States).
- All other athletes subject to capacity. Judging and results (rankings) will be provided.
- Open (results and rankings provided)
- Fun runs (no results or rankings provided)
The World Obstacle National Federation eligibility guideline specifies that for a competitor to represent their country in competitive categories of federation championships they must be in good standing with their national federation per the World Obstacle Competition Rules. The nationality of a competitor is guided by the Olympic Charter Rule 4. Member federations of World Obstacle decide on the qualification criteria and national team size.
QUALIFICATION
Qualification for national teams is specified by each National Federation. All others register in the Open category.
SAFESPORT
Our mission is to make athlete well-being a priority for Obstacle athletes worldwide. All athletes deserve to participate in Obstacle Sports free from bullying, hazing, sexual misconduct or any form of emotional or physical abuse. FISO encourages all coaches, trainers, officials and people in frequent contact with youth and junior athletes to hold a current International Safesport i-Protect education certification. Register and create a free account for i-Protect here. Training is free. Safeguarding or SafeSport certification is mandatory in many countries. Please check with your national federation, national sports authority or National Olympic Committee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to qualify to register?
You must be qualified by a national member federation of FISO to compete on a national team. Qualification is not required for fun runs. If you do not have a national federation or association in your country, please send an email to [email protected]
Do I need a medical certificate to compete?
Yes. The medical safety of all participants is of paramount importance, and a signed doctors certificate will help us keep you safe in the event of a medical incident. If you are unable to provide a doctors certificate that you are in good health, we will accept a signed, witnessed Event Medical History Form, available here.
Acceptable medical certificates include an annual physical, or doctor’s letter that includes a medical history.
Will I need to sign a waiver and release of liability?
Yes. This form is provided when you register and must be signed by you if you are over 18 years old, or signed by your parent, or guardian if you are under 18 years old.
Is my registration automatically confirmed when I sign up online?
Yes! You will receive an email with the final confirmation. National Teams members will be confirmed by their national association
What documents are required at packet pickup?
- Photo identification such as passport or driver’s license
- The printed or digital registration confirmation
What are the registration prices? (to be confirmed, prices subject to change)
- Fun run: US$30 per run (no time or ranking)
- Open: US$50 per run (includes a time and ranking)
- Individual: US$125 (includes 2 qualification runs, event shirt, finisher medal)
- Relay (team of 4): US$45 per person (includes one qualification run, event shirt, finisher medal)
Is my registration refundable or transferable?
Registrations cannot be deferred to another event and are non-refundable. The registration can only be transferred to another competitor in the same category.
Only the registered competitors can initiate the transfer. The replacement athlete must meet the same conditions as the previously registered competitor. The transfer fee is US$20.
Safeguarding
World Obstacle subscribes to Safe Sport Codes developed for athletes by national and international organizations. We are developing a culture of zero tolerance of sexual abuse and harassment in obstacle sports under the guidance of the World Obstacle Safe Sport Committee. You can download the Safe Sports Guide here.