[5] Season 7 champion Isaac Caldiero participated and finished the Indianapolis qualifiers, marking his return to competition in the series.
Actors Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard both made special appearances.
This course consisted of two new obstacles on the back half: the Baton Pass and the new finals closer, the Spider Trap.
The Dallas Finals replaced the first and fourth obstacles with the Archer Steps and the Broken Bridge respectively.
The Indianapolis Qualifying marked the return of the only winner of American Ninja Warrior; bus boy and rock climber, Isaac Caldiero who achieved "total victory" three seasons ago.
U.S. Women's Hockey Olympic Gold medalist Kendall Coyne and IndyCar racer and 2008 Indianapolis 500 champ Scott Dixon ran the course which was held at the historic Monument Circle.
Cannonball Drop was replaced with the Fly Wheels, and a new obstacle, Cane Lane, was added to the back half.
His former teammate Quintin Mikell and current Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills showed their support on the sidelines.
The Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders and the team's mascot Viktor the Viking and drumline the "Skol Line", along with the University of Minnesota cheerleaders and the school's mascot, Goldy Gopher, and also the Mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey came to support the ninjas.
[7][8] The lot is close to the Las Vegas Village location of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shootings, which led the producers to consider finding another venue before deciding to return.
In attendance were the Vegas Golden Knights cheerleaders and mascot Chance cheering on the competitors.
Jessie is seen on the Stage 1 finals Day 2 episode in Canary Islands, Spain telling the viewers about it and wishing her fellow competitors "good luck".
The Double Dipper knocked out 26 competitors on Stage 1, the most of any obstacle on Stage 1, including David Campbell, Brett Sims, Travis Rosen, Flip Rodriguez, Jeremiah Morgan, Chris DiGangi, Karsten Williams, Neil Craver, Abel Gonzalez, Tyler Yamuachi, Rigel Henry, Michael Johnson, Rachael Goldstein, Abby Clark, and the man who made it the farthest the previous season, Joe Moravsky.
The highlight of Stage 1 was Jamie Rahn who became the first competitor in ANW to finish the course barefoot when he ran the course (for the most part) without shoes when his right sneaker came off during the Propeller Bar.
Stage 1 featured four new obstacles, Archer Alley, Jeep Run, the Razor Beams, and Twist & Fly.
For the first time on American Ninja Warrior, a cash prize is guaranteed to the player who makes it furthest in the competition of $100,000, in the event that no one completes Stage 4.
However, because of an announcement in July 2020 over the ongoing United States v. Drechsel litigation that affects Drechsel's prize money being held in escrow over eligibility requirements (his alleged crimes took place before this season was taped), should he be convicted, Bryan would claim the prize by forfeit.