Monster Jam is a popular motorsport event featuring large customized trucks competing in races and freestyle competitions. The length of Monster Jam events can vary, but most last around 2-3 hours. This includes time for qualifying races, the main event racing bracket, and the freestyle portion where drivers get to show off their skills.
Typical Monster Jam Event Schedule
A standard Monster Jam event will follow this general schedule:
- 6:30-7:00 PM – Doors Open, Pit Party
- 7:00-7:30 PM – Opening Ceremonies, Introductions
- 7:30-8:30 PM – Qualifying Races
- 8:30-9:00 PM – Intermission, Track Maintenance
- 9:00-9:45 PM – Main Event Racing
- 9:45-10:15 PM – Freestyle Competition
- 10:15 PM – Event Concludes
As you can see, most Monster Jam events run approximately 2-2.5 hours from the start of qualifying to the end of freestyle. This does not include the pre-show pit party where fans can get autographs and see the trucks up close.
Breakdown of a Monster Jam Event
Here is a more detailed overview of what occurs during a standard Monster Jam event:
Opening Ceremonies & Introductions
Monster Jam always kicks off with an opening ceremony reminiscent of a major sporting event. This includes a player introduction where all the competing trucks and drivers are introduced to the fans. The trucks usually drive out into the arena during their intro before lining up side-by-side. Some venues even play the national anthem prior to introducing the competitors.
Qualifying Races
After the intros, Monster Jam moves right into the qualifying races. These short races determine seeding for the main bracket racing later in the night. Drivers compete in heats of 2-3 trucks, racing head-to-head to see who can complete the short course fastest. Trucks are given lanes, must hit designated ramps, and usually have to clear a car jump along the way. The top qualifiers get the best lanes for bracket racing.
Main Event Racing
This is the meat of the Monster Jam competition. Trucks race head-to-head in a tournament bracket, usually best 2-out-of-3 heats on the same track. The last truck standing is crowned the racing champion. Racing tends to feature more car smashing and contact than the qualifying rounds as drivers get aggressive heading into the finals. Stadiums with multiple tracks may break racing into conferences to accommodate more competitors.
Freestyle Competition
After racing concludes, Monster Jam wraps up with a freestyle motocross-style exhibition. Each competitor gets their own freestyle run on the course, usually around 60-90 seconds, to perform as many tricks and stunts as possible. Trucks launch off jumps, spin in the air, crush cars, and often pull spectacular two-wheel moves or backflips. Judges score the freestyles based on a combination of technical difficulty and crowd excitement to determine a freestyle champion.
Average Run Times
In addition to the full event schedule, it’s useful to know how long each portion of a Monster Jam event normally runs:
Event Segment | Average Run Time |
---|---|
Opening Ceremonies & Introductions | 20-30 minutes |
Qualifying Races | 45-60 minutes |
Intermission | 15 minutes |
Main Event Racing | 30-45 minutes |
Freestyle | 30-45 minutes |
As you can see from the table, most segments run about 30-60 minutes. Qualifying takes a bit longer since there are more races, while intermission provides a short break. The main event racing and freestyle are the highlight attractions for most Monster Jam fans.
Why Monster Jam Events Last 2-3 Hours
There are several key reasons why most Monster Jam events end up lasting around 2-3 hours total:
- Fitting in all competition segments – With racing, qualifying, freestyle, and introductions, a full event needs around 2.5 hours to complete all the required pieces.
- TV broadcast considerations – Many Monster Jam events are televised, so the schedule has to fit reasonable broadcast time slots.
- Attention span of fans – Concentrated demolition action for more than 3 hours could become exhausting for live audiences, especially with young kids.
- Truck maintenance needs – These machines take a lot of abuse, so downtime is needed for crews to repair and prepare them between segments.
- Venue logistics – Most arenas have other events scheduled before and after Monster Jam, limiting available floor time.
Balancing all these factors leads to a standard Monster Jam runtime of right around 2-3 hours. This provides fans plenty of intense truck action without going overboard.
Differences in Event Length
While 2-3 hours is typical, not all Monster Jam events are the same length. Here are some of the reasons an event may be shorter or longer:
Reasons a Monster Jam Could Be Shorter
- Fewer trucks/competitors – Events with less than a full field of racers can trim event time.
- No qualifying rounds – Some shows skip directly to bracket racing.
- Earlier start time – A late afternoon start can mean an earlier finish.
- No freestyle – Occasionally only racing is held due to facility restrictions.
- Newer audience – Run times are sometimes shorter at first-year Monster Jam venues.
Reasons a Monster Jam Could Be Longer
- More trucks/competitors – Events with additional racing classes or exhibitions can extend the show.
- Extra track time – Lengthened qualifying or freestyle segments take up more time.
- Later start time – A start after 7pm usually means a later finish.
- Special attractions – Things like a donut competition or guest stars add time.
- Live TV extensions – Taping for live TV can involve schedule delays and extensions.
So while the standard Monster Jam format hits that 2-3 hour sweet spot, plenty of factors ultimately determine the exact running time at each stop on the tour.
Conclusion
In summary, most Monster Jam events run approximately 2-3 hours from start to finish. This includes 30-60 minutes for qualifying races, 30-45 minutes of main bracket racing, and another 30-45 minutes for the freestyle motocross finale. Opening ceremonies, introductions, special attractions, and intermission segments round out the schedule. The 2-3 hour runtime allows fans to enjoy an action-packed yet digestible portion of intense Monster Jam excitement at each tour stop.