‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 18 Episode 12 Release Date and Time

The National Finals are heating up, and ‘American Ninja Warrior’ fans are gearing up for another action-packed Monday night on NBC. Season 18 Episode 12 is titled National Finals 3 and continues the third night of the national finals as remaining ninjas from across the country face off in a series of races with the hope of being crowned champion.

With the competition down to its final stretch, the stakes have never felt higher for this year’s crop of elite athletes. Viewers who have followed the season’s new racing format are eager to see who survives the latest round of head-to-head-to-head showdowns before the season finale arrives.

‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 18 Episode 12 Release Date and Time

Episode 12 of ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 18 airs August 24, continuing the show’s established Monday night pattern for the season. New episodes of ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 18 air Mondays on NBC, streaming the next day on Peacock.

The series had briefly shifted its start time earlier in the summer. Two episodes of Season 18 aired one hour earlier than usual, moving to 8 p.m. ET on NBC instead of the standard 9 p.m. ET slot, before the show returned to its regular 9 p.m. ET schedule afterward. That means fans tuning in for episode 12 should expect the program in its normal, later evening position, though it never hurts to double check local listings the day of broadcast.

The season has kept a remarkably consistent release cadence since its debut. ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 18 debuted on NBC on Monday, June 8, and the show has continued airing weekly ever since.

Where To Watch ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 18?

For anyone hoping to catch the National Finals live, the process remains simple and familiar for longtime viewers. ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 18 airs on NBC, with new episodes streaming the following day on Peacock.

Cord cutters and those without traditional cable access still have plenty of options to keep up with the ninjas. Peacock remains the go to streaming destination for next day viewing, and it also houses the show’s growing library of past seasons for anyone wanting to catch up before the finale.

Viewers can also watch ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 18 with a Peacock subscription or purchase episodes through Fandango. That flexibility gives fans multiple paths to stay current no matter how they prefer to watch their favorite summer competition series.

What to Expect From the ‘American Ninja Warrior’ National Finals?

This season introduced sweeping changes to the competition format that have completely reshaped how ninjas reach the finish line. Season 18 brought new Regional Qualifiers from the West, Central, and East regions of the country, feeding into all new Regional Finals before athletes reach the National Finals stage.

The racing element has become the season’s signature hook, and it has only intensified as the competition narrows. Season 18 debuted a brand new round featuring a supersized three lane racecourse, where three ninjas face off head to head to head, and the National Finals now use an all racing format culminating in a champion taking home the grand prize of $250,000.

Competitors have not been shy about how different this format feels compared to previous seasons of ‘American Ninja Warrior.’ The Regional Finals bring a two round format, with Round 1 featuring an intense six obstacle course and the fastest 14 men and 6 women advancing to Round 2, known as The Tripleheader.

Past champions have spoken about what makes this environment so electric for both athletes and audiences. Former ANW champion Daniel Gil described the event as bringing together competitors from all across the country in one place, calling it a community unlike anything else and noting how much energy translates through the screen.

The Road To The ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Season 18 Finale

As National Finals 3 approaches, the pressure on remaining competitors is mounting with every passing week of ‘American Ninja Warrior.’ The prior episode, National Finals 2, saw more ninjas take on the course as the remaining competitors from across the country faced off in a series of electrifying races.

Fans eager for closure will not have to wait much longer once episode 12 wraps. Episode 13, titled National Finals 4, is set to air August 31 and marks the last night of the national finals, with the top four women ninjas also competing for the title of Season 18 women’s champion.

The blend of new formats, fresh faces, and returning veterans has kept the fan conversation lively all summer long. Whether longtime viewers are rooting for a repeat champion or a fresh face to break through, the tension heading into these final two episodes is exactly the kind of drama that has kept ‘American Ninja Warrior’ a summer staple for eighteen seasons running.

Between the new Tripleheader racing format and the tightening field of competitors, National Finals 3 sets up what could be one of the most unpredictable finishes the show has seen yet, so who do you think is walking away with the Season 18 title?