Ninja Warrior UK has revealed it will be expanding into Leeds next month, sharing plans to open its biggest park yet in the city this August.
The new Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park will be inspired by the ITV game show; where 250 competitors from across the country take on six different obstacle courses, tackling warped walls and floating steps along the way before one is ultimately crowned the champion.
At this mega day out for all the family (well. all the family over aged 4), you'll need to balance and swing your way across the courses, dodging obstacles and using your ninja skills to maneuver across classic challenges from the TV show like the big dipper and cargo swing.
What's more, to give the opening the real authentic Nina Warrior experience, TV co-host Chris Kamara will be at the new Leeds site welcoming the park's first-ever visitors when it opens its doors on 5 August.
The courses here will have varying levels of difficulty, making it as accessible to everyone as possible.
The new site will also feature a Ninja Cafe and inflatable ‘airpark’ with bouncy balls, tunnels and a battle zone.
Inside the new battle room at Leeds Ninja Warrior UK / Image: Ninja Warrior UK Leeds Facebook
Adventure sessions, which start from £11 for an hour, give you the freedom to explore the park at your own pace and tackle some of those more daunting obstacles as and when you feel ready to do so.
The new site in Leeds comes as part of an agreement between ITV and its new Ninja Warrior UK operator, BGL.
BGL currently manages existing sites in Sheffield and Southhampton, and the partnership agreement includes plans to open three new sites every year in the first five years.
A mock up of how some of the course will look at the new Leeds site / Image: Ninja Warrior UK Leeds Facebook
The new site, which is set to be the biggest to date, will be the eleventh UK opening - following sites in Stoke-On-trent, Wigan, Cardiff, Gloucester, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Eastbourne, Southampton, Watford and Leicester.
There are also plans to open two more in Harlow and Bradford later this year.
“We’re so excited to be bringing a slice of brilliant, wholesome family entertainment to Leeds with the Ninja Warrior UK brand, which is loved by all age groups,” said Jacob Clarkson, general manager at Ninja Warrior UK.
“We like to think we’ve created the perfect and safe place to escape to with each and every session carefully organised and managed so that parents, guardians and grandparents have no excuse.”
"Expect to tackle some obstacles very similar to the television show – including a chance to try and beat our very own warped wall,” Clarkson added.
A bookshop in Leeds is inviting its customers to vandalise Harry Potter books for charity.
Well, this is definitely one we haven't seen before.
The Bookish Type on Great George Street in Leeds is a fabulous independently-owned queer bookshop that prides itself on being a safe space for all.
They're raising money for trans healthcare by inviting customers to vandalise Harry Potter novels for just 25p per go.
A bargain if you ask us, and all for a good cause. And don't worry, all the books are second hand and have been donated.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not understanding the immediate connection between the two, then allow us to fill you in.
J.K. Rowling, the author of the famous Harry Potter novels, has over recent years expressed transphobic comments and anti-trans political beliefs on social media.
Yesterday, Wednesday 25 March, the trailer for the new HBO Max Harry Potter series was released which has encouraged many people to speak out against Rowling and claim she should no longer be supported.
So, The Bookish Type are showing support for the trans community and asking those who feel frustrated to have a doodle and whilst they're at it, donate to a good cause.
If you're not able to make it into the shop, The Bookish Type have said "You will soon be able to donate online and we will personally deface a page with your message/doodle/scribble."
We're absolutely obsessed.
Find out more about The Bookish Type and if you can, pop in for a browse and a doodle whilst you're at it.
Featured image - The Bookish Type Leeds (Supplied)
News
Leeds to be transformed into a giant board game as Trivial Pursuit takes over the city
Clementine Hall
Leeds is set to become a giant board game this summer as Trivial Pursiot arrives in the city centre to celebrate a landmark moment in its history.
To mark 400 years since Leeds was granted its royal charter, LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District) is transforming the city into a live interactive version of Hasbro’s iconic Trivial Pursuit board game, inviting residents and visitors to test their knowledge of all things Leeds.
It follows the huge success of the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover back in summer 2024 and this year, LeedsBID is once again working with leading game, IP and toy company Hasbro to bring another of its iconic games to life.
This time, the focus is on the stories, achievements and surprising facts that have shaped Leeds over four centuries.
Running from 25 July to 30 August 2026, the free experience will see participants journey across the city centre answering questions and collecting wedges, just like the classic trivia game.
Key locations will represent the six traditional Trivial Pursuit categories: Entertainment, Geography, Sports & Leisure, Science and Nature, History, and Art & Literature.
Matt Proulx, Senior Vice President of Global Experiences, Partnerships and Music at Hasbro said: “After the incredible response to the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover in 2024, we’re proud to collaborate with LeedsBID once again to reimagine another iconic brand in a bold new way.
"This is exactly how we think about Global Experiences at Hasbro - taking our brands beyond the table and creating experiences that are social, shareable and deeply connected to the communities they celebrate."
Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive of LeedsBID, said: “TRIVIAL PURSUIT Leeds is about celebrating everything about this great city, from those headline facts and figures people know to the lesser-known surprising details and discoveries.
“LeedsBID’s raison d’etre is to put Leeds on the map and tell the stories and successes of the city. Trivial Pursuit Leeds is doing just that, providing a free, fun and entertaining activity for all ages while sharing new and interesting achievements of this amazing place.”
Georgina Pellant -
28th July 2021 
