Monster truck fans should be in their glory in 2024 when Monster Jam arrives at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham.

No, it’s not a concert, but some of us have been waiting for another big entertainment event to be booked at the stadium at 1020 24th St. North, ever Garth Brooks christened the 41,700-seat venue with a show there in July 2022.

Typically, the stadium, owned and operated by the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center Authority, has been used as a home field for the UAB Blazers football team. (The stadium opened on Oct. 2, 2021, as the UAB Blazers faced the Liberty Flames in the first game at the venue.) Protective Stadium also been a hub for the United States Football League and the venue for opening and closing ceremonies of the 2022 World Games.

Now, folks at the BJCC have announced a March 23 date for Monster Jam, a motorsports extravaganza that features colorful, 12,000-pound monster trucks with names like Grave Digger, ThunderROARus, Monster Mutt and Bakugan Dragonoid. Tickets for the 6 p.m. show are on sale via Ticketmaster, priced at $25-$90, plus service charges.

“Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete,” a press release says, “but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world.”

The lineup for March 23 is set to feature:

• Grave Digger, driven by Adam Anderson.
• Son-uva Digger, driven by Ryan Anderson.
• Bakugan Dragonoid, driven by Camden Murphy.
• ThunderROARus, driven by Colt Stephens.
• Soldier Fortune, driven by Kayla Blood.
• El Toro Loco, driven by Joe Foley.
• Megalodon, driven by Cory Rummell.
• Monster Mutt, driven by Chris Koehler.
• Avenger, driven by Jim Koehler.
• Vendetta, driven by Mike Christensen.
• Velociraptor, driven by David Olfert.

One monster truck and driver are TBA, the release says, and the lineup is subject to change.

Monster Jam’s March 23 date also includes a Pit Party before the show, 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. A separate ticket is required for that, priced at $20 via Ticketmaster, plus service charges. An early access pass to the Pit Party, starting at 12:30 p.m., is $35 via Ticketmaster, plus service charges. You must have a ticket to the Monster Jam show to attend the Pit Party, the Ticketmaster website says.

“Fans can see the massive trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, get autographs, and take pictures. Activities include the Sand Box play area, inflatable slides, Spin Master remote control truck course, coloring and temporary tattoo station, and photo ops, including the chance to take a photo with the Series trophy,” the press release says.

Monster Jam has a history of appearances in Birmingham, with events typically held at the 18,00-capacity Legacy Arena at the BJCC. Moving to the outdoor stadium allows the trucks and drivers more room to spread out, tear up the dirt and show off their speed and skills. It allows allows for larger audiences at the show.

Tad Snider, executive director and CEO of the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center Authority, had mentioned that Monster Trucks would be on the agenda for the stadium during an interview with AL.com in 2021.

“We can set up for different types of events — whether it’s an outdoor version of Monster Trucks, whether its Arenacross, whether it’s an X Games type thing — that’s all part of the program,” Snider said.