What you need to know about Monster Jam Ramped Up

The event will be held over three days at Utilita Arena Birmingham

Thousands of monster truck fans will flock to Birmingham for an event that will see five-tonne vehicles performing aerial stunts.

Monster Jam Ramped Up will visit the Utilita Arena from 12 to 14 September.

But what is a monster truck, how can you see them close up, and how do you become a monster truck driver?

We have compiled all the information you need to know ahead of the event.

What is Monster Jam?

Monster Jam is a huge, well-known monster truck tour,. It's so popular it boasts 1.2m followers on YouTube, 1.7m followers on Instagram, and 2.7m followers on Facebook.

It tours across the world, with dozens of drivers behind the wheel of different types of trucks - some branded with big names such as JCB and Marvel.

Each truck is about 10.5ft (3.2m) tall, 12.5ft wide (3.8m) and 17ft long (5.1m). They weigh about 5.4 tonnes.

The engines generatel 1,500 horsepower and are powered by methanol fuel - so they can give it some welly.

When and where is it?

The event is at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham from 12 to 14 September.

• 12 September - 19:00 BST start

• 13 September - pit party at 10:30 BST, start time 13:00

• 13 September - later event 19:00 BST start

• 14 September - pit party at 10:30 BST, start time 13:00

What is happening?

The drivers will face a ramp called the Monstergon

The drivers, described as the world's best, will take on something called the Monstergon.

It's a multi-sided ramp that launches the trucks into the air, and allows them to do stunts.

These include big-air jumps, "sky wheelies", "cyclone donuts", two-wheel skills and backflips.

Also happening at the two 13:00 BST start events are pit parties, which allow the crowd to get up close to the trucks.

Ticket holders can meet the drivers and crews, get autographs and take part in other activities.

• Watch: World's first monster truck flip

Who are the drivers?

The Megalodon will be driven by Blake Granger

Although the line-up is subject to change, the drivers are as follows:

• "JCB DIGatron" – Brandon Arthur

• "The Amazing Spider-Man" – Charlie Pauken

• "Black Panther" – Bari Musawwir

• "Thor" – Chelsea VanCleave

• "Grave Digger" – Matt Cody

• "Megalodon" – Blake Granger

How do I get tickets?

Tickets are available to buy on the Monster Jam website, or via Ticketmaster.

If you want to attend a pit party, you can buy the pass along with a normal ticket order.

However, it's worth noting that you can't leave the venue between the pit party and the main event.

How do I get there and where can I park?

The arena itself has on-site parking - north, south and west.

The west car park, off St Vincent's Street, is only for pre-booked and hospitality customers, and has blue badge parking bays on level eight - which will allow you to get to the nearest accessible entrance.

South car park also has access to accessible entrances - you need to park on any odd level.

North car park's accessible spaces are on level nine.

The venue is a short walk from local train stations - Birmingham New Street, Moor Street, Snow Hill and Five Ways.

Buses run past the arena all day. From Digbeth bus station, it is about 30 minutes by foot, or you can get a taxi.

There are taxi pick-up and drop-off points to the arena.

How do you become a Monster Jam driver?

Monster Jam drivers usually go to a special university facility in Illinois, US, to train

Monster Jam drivers don't just take on events like this, there is a championship where they earn points to try and be the best.

Some are scouted, with new drivers joining the roster every year.

When they become trainees, they work with specialists and experienced drivers to learn the ropes.

They are taught everything from operating the trucks, safety, driver skills and public relations - the whole package.

A lot of the training is done at the Monster Jam University in Illinois, where there are realistic tracks and obstacles.

Some drivers get into the sport through more traditional routes, like having previous motorsport careers, such as Myranda Cozad who began as a drag racer.

Former Monster Jam driver Bernard Lyght drove The Amazing Spider-Man and was a cheerleader beforehand - he told the BBC in 2024 that his acrobatic talents had helped him stand out.