Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
On June 8 and 9, 2024, the Etihad Arena will become the coliseum for the return of the titans of Monster Jam, where athletes and their trucks will clash in a spectacle of speed and might, marking not just high-octane thrills but also a storied history in the region.
As Monster Jam prepares to take over Abu Dhabi once again, it’s clear that the event has cemented its place in the city’s cultural fabric. It’s a symbol of the UAE’s love for grand spectacles and its ability to host world-class events.
The origins of Monster Jam in Abu Dhabi trace back to a decade ago, when the city first hosted the event in 2013, when the Zayed City Sports Complex transformed into a battleground for behemoths on wheels. It was the first time Monster Jam roared into the Middle East, bringing with it a fleet of 10 of the most iconic monster trucks and a lineup of world-class drivers. The event was a spectacle of gravity-defying stunts and mud-slinging action that left the audience in awe and yearning for more.
The inaugural event set a precedent, but 10 years went by before the giant wheels churned the desert sands of Abu Dhabi again. In 2023, Monster Jam made a roaring comeback, solidifying the enduring popularity of these mechanical beasts and their ability to captivate audiences across the globe.
Weighing around 5,500 kilogrammes the trucks, with their massive tyres and towering frames, are masterpieces of design and power, capable of crushing anything in their path. Each one is a unique work of art, crafted to reflect the personality of its driver and the legacy it carries. They are the modern-day dragons, and the arena is their lair.
The drivers, equally as impressive, are athletes who have mastered the art of controlling these behemoths, executing stunts that defy logic and physics. The lineup for this year’s event is a roll call of legends and rising stars, each paired with their mechanical counterparts, duos of mythic proportions, etching their stories in the dirt and mud of venues globally.
El Toro Loco, with Blake Granger at the helm, is a beast that breathes fire and charges with the ferocity of a bull. Its horns are a testament to the unbridled power that Granger commands.
Black Panther, driven by Bari Musawwir, moves with the grace and agility of its namesake. It’s a truck that embodies the spirit of the warrior king, swift and decisive in every turn and jump.
The Amazing Spider-Man, with Bernard Lyght behind the wheel, weaves through the competition as effortlessly as the superhero swings through the skyscrapers of New York. It’s a spectacle of acrobatics and aerial mastery.
Thor, piloted by Myranda Cozad, brings the thunder from Asgard to the sands of Abu Dhabi. Each leap is like the strike of Mjolnir, each landing a clap of thunder that resonates through the stands.
And then there’s the iconic legend Grave Digger, with Matt Cody as its driver, haunting the track with a spectre of power that has been a fan favourite for generations.
Megalodon, with Charlie Pauken on the wheel, is the prehistoric predator of the deep, now hunting on land. Its jaws know how to take a bite out of the competition.
The event is a celebration of the Monster Jam culture. Fans will have the unique opportunity to participate in the pre-show Pit Party, an interactive experience allowing them to get up close with the colossal trucks and meet the daredevil drivers behind the wheels.
As Monster Jam prepares to take over Abu Dhabi once again, it’s clear that the event has cemented its place in the city’s cultural fabric
