Monster Jam brings world-renowned drivers and 12,000-pound trucks from arenas and stadiums across the nation for exciting racing and freestyle competitions.

Each event includes a timed race, two-wheel skills challenge, donut competition and freestyle event; audiences decide the winners by scoring using mobile devices.

The History of Monster Jam

Monster Jam has since grown into an annual spectacle seen by millions worldwide, but it didn’t start this way. Monster Jam originated during the lifted truck craze of the 1970s when owners modified factory four-wheel-drive pickup trucks by raising them up on lifts and installing massive 48″ farm tires to mud bogging and tractor pulling competitions.

Freestyle competition provides drivers with 2 minutes to show their strength and dexterity by performing gravity-defying stunts that show off both physical and mental prowess. Fans love this controlled chaos that allows fiberglass bodies to fall, axles to break, and sometimes cars even catch fire!

Monster Jam fans were also once able to witness Monster Jam drivers compete in a points series; this feature was discontinued in 1999 before later making a comeback (though not currently part of any USHRA tour). Each Monster Jam event still hosts its own official World Finals championship event.

The Trucks

Monster Jam events and their trucks may look staged, but monster truck racing actually dates back to when lifted pickup owners would jack up factory four-wheel-drive trucks and fill them with giant tires – before Monster Jam even existed!

At each event, trucks compete in three separate events: head-to-head racing, freestyle and skills challenge – each winner receiving their own trophy for their victory.

Freestyle competition is judged annually, and drivers use their trucks to perform tricks for audiences and earn points. Each year the tour crowns a champion for freestyle–not necessarily Grave Digger or Bigfoot but other drivers like 2023 World Finals Champion Tristan England have their own rides that they use during freestyle performances.

Monster Jam’s success can be credited to its hundreds of employees who work together seamlessly to keep it running, from choreographing drivers’ entry into the hot pits (where 47 trucks are staged between rounds with two entering and leaving at all times) and maintaining trackside repairs to making sure fans enjoy themselves and remain engaged – its passionate fan culture fueling its rapid expansion.

The Arena

Monster Jam events feature an arena-style setup that gives fans a close-up view of the trucks and drivers competing. This format has played an instrumental role in Monster Jam’s incredible growth – now offering over 350 shows annually in 30 countries!

Last week, the traveling crew responsible for turning the Dome into a monster truck arena arrived to start its work. They blocked off a section of parking lot between Dineen Hall and Campus West before setting up five of the company’s nine monster truck haulers capable of accommodating two trucks each.

Track construction begins one week prior to fans filling the Dome for fans to watch the action. Excavations takes place from an open field on Syracuse University’s campus and dirt is brought directly into the arena via truckloads; quality monitoring of each load of dirt ensures optimal conditions.

The Audience

Children form a large portion of Monster Jam audiences – no coincidence there. Monster Jam caters solely to children, and that shows. With ATV obstacle races, two-wheel skills competitions, donuts and their signature freestyle monster truck show event all taking place within its pages, kids will love this show!

Trucks roar into life and roll across the arena floor as their fans cheer with enthusiasm. Some have come prepared with earplugs or headphones for hearing protection; most seem delighted to be witnessing such destructive machinery up close and personal.

Monster Jam stands out from other sports events by appealing to an inclusive audience. While camo clothing and American flags might dominate attendance at Monster Jam events, there are numerous female spectators present and pro drivers take upon themselves the responsibility of creating an inclusive environment – Tom Meents of El Toro Loco fame and an early candidate for Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), runs Monster University as training program that fosters new drivers.