<P> Season 9 of American Ninja Warrior began on June 12, 2017, on NBC; Esquire Network ended over-the - air operations fifteen days later on June 27, thus encore episodes shifted over to NBCSN on non-event nights with this season . The premiere was preceded by a special episode, "Celebrity Ninja Warrior" on May 25, 2017, the U.S. Red Nose Day, which was followed by a "USA vs. the World" special on June 4 . New for season 9, the top five women in each city qualifying course qualified for the city finals course, and the top two women in each city finals qualified for national finals, regardless of their placement overall . Also this season, fans were given the opportunity to design their own obstacles through ANW Obstacle Design Challenge and seven fan - submitted obstacles have been featured on the show . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (October 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (October 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> During the season 5 finale of American Ninja Warrior, NBC announced that a special "USA vs. Japan" matchup would take place, the first - ever team competition in American Ninja Warrior's history . The two - hour special premiered on January 13, 2014, at 8 pm EST on NBC and matched five Japanese Sasuke All - Stars and New Stars - heroes of the original Ninja Warrior - against five American stars representing American Ninja Warrior at the American reconstruction of the Mount Midoriyama course in Las Vegas . At stake was the United States vs. Japan championship; also branded as the first world championship for Sasuke / American Ninja Warrior, and a trophy to match . The special featured American Ninja Warrior's regular broadcasting crew: analysts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja - Biamila along with sideline reporter Jenn Brown . </P>

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