All You Need to Know About Monster Jam (Review) 2026

Needing a great Monster Jam review to help you decide if you’re up for this epic show? Monster Jam is back for 2026, and is going to blow your kid’s mind! Maybe your life is ready for some thrilling entertainment or maybe you need something that is perfectly safe for you, yet still feels a little dangerous. Or, perhaps you just have some kids who LOVE anything with an engine and wheels? Try Monster Jam! Here is everything you need to know about the show!

• Complimentary tickets were given to make this Monster Jam review possible. All opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links and has been updated with 2026 dates and costs.
• This page contains affiliate links.

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Monster Jam: Review and What it is!

Monster Jam is a live sporting event competition featuring seven monster trucks. It showcases the trucks’ abilities to crush cars, fly through the air, and spin. Monster Jam typically involves three main events:

• The wheelie contest: judges score the trucks on the most impressive jump over a line of three cars
• Truck racing: trucks jump over the line of cars while trying to be the first to cross the finish line
• Freestyle: each driver is given 60 seconds to perform whatever stunts he wants; this event is also scored by judges

These trucks are massive at approximately 12 feet tall and wide. The tires are 66 inches and weigh at least 10,000 pounds. The trucks can travel up to 100 MPH and they can fly up to 125 to 130 feet out at up to 35 feet in the air. This is an amazing show that’s an experience your kids will talk about for a long time.

The performance previously also included dirt bike and quad bike (four-wheeler) stunts and races.

Check out our video review: Monster Jam

What Happens During Monster Jam (A Monster Jam Review)

Monster Jam is a unique experience! We brought our five-year-old son, who was very excited to see the huge trucks. All of the trucks have sensational designs and paint jobs, and the drivers do a good job of getting the audience involved and cheering. I must say that I was truly impressed by the power and ability of the trucks, as well as the skill and daring of the drivers.

After each of the three events, the winning driver was presented with an award, which he then gave to his “biggest fan” in the crowd. I noticed that kids who had made signs for their favorite truck were easy for the driver to spot. So if you want the chance to bring home a (free) memento, make a sign! (Souvenirs are available for purchase in the lobby, if you want to be sure to have something to bring home.)

Honestly, though, my favorite part of the show was the dirt bike stunts. The bikers sped up a ramp and then executed impressive aerial acrobatics before landing. The dirt bikes only made one appearance, but I think we would have loved to see more of them.

Note: Our Monster Jam review was based on the Greenville, SC show. The show is pretty consistent across arenas, though slight variations in programming may occur.

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TIPS: Know Before You Go to Monster Jam

1 – Monster Jam is LOUD. Like, you can hear the trucks from outside the stadium if you’re standing across the street. Ear protection is a must.  The music is loud, the engines are loud, and the announcer is loud.

2 – Get ear protection before you go or buy them at the arena. You can find affordable ear protection muffs for children at a sports store such as Dick’s Sporting Goods or on Amazon (see a list of ear protection options). Many parents I know recommend using both earplugs and earmuffs. It is really ear-splitting loud and you can’t be too careful protecting your children’s ears.

3- If you have a child who is sensitive to loud noises, don’t take them. The rumbling is crazy loud and can scare smaller kids or those sensitive to this type of noise.

4 – Sometimes between events, the momentum dips and kids can lose focus. You know your kid and if sitting for a longer period of time is hard, perhaps consider this event for when they are older.

5 – It’s chilly because the arena needs to be ventilated (no one wants to breathe in all that exhaust) so be prepared with a scarf, heavy jacket, etc.

6 – Try to get your tickets before you arrive for the event. The longest lines at the arena are the box office lines. Plus, you’ll save a lot of money in Ticketmaster fees if you buy direct at the arena.

7 – Do bring: cash for parking, cash for anything you might buy at the arena, a camera, and a sign for your favorite truck. Do not bring food or drink. Only clear bags are allowed in the arena.

8 – Sometimes one of the Monster Trucks will show up in a public place the day of the first show. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram as we will post where and when it is if that happens. It’s free!

9 – Anyone ages 2 and up needs a ticket so plan for that when purchasing tickets.

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Greenville, SC Monster Jam 2026

How long is Monster Jam?

In Greenville, SC, the show we attended officially began at 7:00 pm, but there were pre-show activities for at least 30 minutes before the show began. The show concluded right before 9:00 pm. There is a 15-minute intermission when “construction” trucks smooth the dirt arena and move the crushed cars. (This may have been the most fascinating part of the show for my son.)

Pit Party

The Pit Party happens on Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 am. To attend the Pit Party you must have a ticket to the 12:30 pm show, as well as an add-on ticket Pit Pass. At the Pit Party, you will walk down on the arena floor and get to view the trucks up close, as well as meet drivers. There’s an opportunity for photos and autographs. Pit Party passes are $20/each.

There are also post-event Meet & Greet tickets available for $40/each after each show.

The 2026 Monster Jam Show in Greenville is:

• Saturday, April 25th, 2026 at 12 pm (Pit Party at 9:30 am)
• Saturday, April 25th, 2026 at 5 pm
• Sunday, April 26th, 2026 at 12 pm (Pit Party at 9:30 am)

Tickets start at $25, Pit Passes are $20, and are sold at The Well Box Office, Ticketmaster.com, and by calling Ticketmaster at 1.800.745.3000.

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Columbia, SC Monster Jam 2026

How Long is Monster Jam?

Monster Jam will be in Columbia, SC at the Colonial Life Arena. The show will start at 1:00 pm, and 7:00 pm on April 18th and 2:00 pm on April 19th, 2026. Guests can come an hour early for pre-show activities that are included in your ticket, including Monster Jam Trackside which includes competition previews, behind-the-scenes activities, opening ceremonies, and giveaways. Part way through the show, there is a 15-minute intermission where the dirt is smoothed by construction trucks and crushed cars are removed. The entire show takes around 2 hours.

Pit Party

If you’re looking for an extra special experience, you can purchase Pit Party tickets along with your admission ticket. The Pit Party in Columbia, SC is on April 18th, 2026 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm, and again on April 19th, 2026 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

The Pit Party gets you up close and personal with the monster trucks! Guests can meet their favorite drivers, get autographs, takes photos with the trucks, and play in the Pit Stop Play Area. The play area will have inflatable slides, a remote-controlled truck course, new photo opportunities, and more.

There are also post-event Meet & Greet tickets available for $40/each after each show.

The 2026 Monster Jam Show in Columbia, SC is:

• Saturday, April 18th, 2026 at 1 pm (Pit Party at 10:30 am)
• Saturday, April 18th, 2026 at 7 pm
• Sunday, April 19th, 2026 at 2 pm (Pit Party at 11:30 am)

Tickets start at $20, and are sold at The Colonial Life Arena, through the Ticketmaster.com and by calling Ticketmaster at 1.800.745.3000.

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Who should go to Monster Jam?

I noticed a lot of kids at the arena, and it is definitely a kid-friendly show. I wouldn’t recommend the show for very small children, but everyone that I saw from 4 years to 75 years enjoyed the event. (If your child is frightened by roaring engines or cars getting smashed, then Monster Jam is not for him.)

If you want to see the trucks up close, consider buying your tickets for Saturday with the Pit Pass add-on. This special pass will allow you to go into the Pit with the drivers and see the trucks up close before the show.

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Monster Jam FAQ :

Kidding Around Team members have been many, many times to Monster Jam, reviews are from experience! Here’s our quick and helpful FAQ.

Hopefully, our Monster Jam review helped you decide to attend this awesome experience!

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