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Predictions and background info on American Ninja Warrior’s return to Denver

The show will tape a third season in the city in May.

Adam Larkey/NBC

American Ninja Warrior has a soft spot for Denver, Colorado. The show taped Qualifying and City Finals courses there in both seasons five and six. In May of 2017, the crew will roll into town again to tape for season nine.

When asked why the show likes to return to Denver, Executive in Charge of Production Kristen Stabile said,

It’s been reported that the course will set up once again at Civic Center Park, which provides ample space for the course and the audience, while providing the backdrop of the State Capitol.

In the past, Denver has been the originating course for some of the most prolific American Ninja Warriors.

It’s where Isaac Caldiero first appeared as a walk-on.

He would go on to be crowned the first American Ninja Warrior, completing the final climb of Mount Midoriyama with the fastest time in season seven.

Denver is close to home for Brian Arnold, who has qualified for the National Finals season after season.

In 2014, we saw Meagan Martin become the third woman to defeat the Warped Wall.

Recording the show in Denver is a home court advantage for the Wolfpack, four American Ninja Warriors who have made domination of the National Finals their singular goal.

Currently, Denver is slated to be the last city filmed before the National Finals in Las Vegas. While the dates may change, it’s currently planned for May 23 and 24.

This is a strategic decision made with both the Ninja Warriors and crew in mind. Denver is notorious for its unpredictable weather. In past seasons, the Warped Wall has needed to be cleared of snow for the competitors.

In an effort to keep everyone as warm as possible, producers put Denver as close to the late spring weather as they could.

Adam Larkey/NBC

While casting is still in the very early stages, here are a few of our predictions of which American Ninja Warrior veterans we’ll see in the Mile-High City:

  • Meagan Martin
  • Brian Arnold
  • Ian Dory
  • Noah Kaufman
  • Lance Pekus
  • Jake Murray
  • Jon Stewart
  • Carl Fantauzzo

We can’t help but hope we’ll spot Isaac Caldiero, even though he took a break from the show for season eight. With the Denver area having an incredibly strong climbing community, we have no doubts the walk-on line is going to have a few surprises for us as well.

Who do you think we’ll see in Denver? What do you think about the producers’ decision to return there for a third year? Tell us in the comments.