In an Instagram post uploaded on Wednesday, April 15, CBS confirmed that “The Amazing Race” is set to air its 39th season as part of the network’s Wednesday night line-up this fall.
The latest season of the hit reality competition series, which challenges pairs of competitors to a high-stakes race around the globe in chances of snatching the $1 million grand prize by being the first team to cross the finish line, will air alongside new episodes of “Survivor” Season 51 later this year.
We already know that longtime host Phil Keoghan will return to preside over the forthcoming season, but what else can fans expect from the new installment?
Here’s everything we know so far about “The Amazing Race” Season 39 – so far.
When Does ‘The Amazing Race’ Season 39 Come Out?
CBS/GettyWhile we don’t have an exact premiere date just yet, we do know that CBS has confirmed the new season of “The Amazing Race” will air as part of its Fall 2026 schedule.
The 39th season – following after last year’s crossover installment featuring former “Big Brother” players and their loved ones – will hit CBS screens every Wednesday night at 9:30pm ET this fall, immediately following new episodes of “Survivor 51.”
In each 90-minute episode, racers will travel to a new international destination to compete in a series of increasingly difficult challenges specially tailored to the location. At the end of each leg, the duo to cross the finish line last will be eliminated from the competition until a single pair remains.
Judging by previous seasons, “The Amazing Race” will likely premiere this September. Last year, the series launched one week after the premiere of “Survivor 49,” hinting that we could see our racers approaching the starting line as soon as Wednesday, September 24, 2026.
Who is on the Cast of ‘The Amazing Race’ Season 39?
Based on previous seasons’ cast sizes, we can safely assume that Season 39 of “The Amazing Race” will once again feature 13 competing teams. Similar to past installments, each duo will share some sort of pre-existing relationship.
According to @realitytv_fan on Instagram, an account well-known for unearthing cast members ahead of official cast announcements, the upcoming season will feature the following teams:
– Ali Krieger (41) & Joanna Lohman (43) – Professional Soccer Teammates
– Cody Langlois (35) & Jaime Tribo (37) – Siblings from Illinois
– Katie Schultz (25) & Charlotte Schultz (20) – Sisters from California
– Dafina Dunmore (51) & Saran Dunmore (50) – Sisters from Illinois
– Daisha Wilks (27) & Dalton Hamby (26) – Dating from Alabama
– Erin Vintimilla-Taylor (28) & Javier Vintimilla (29) – Newlyweds from Florida
– Ann-Marie Tejcek (56) & Riley Tejcek (28) – Mother/Daughter from Indiana
– Anuar Tager (57) & Andrea Tager (24) – Father/Daughter from Texas
– Michelle Patterson (30) & Matt Patterson (35) – Married from New Jersey
– Zach Johnson (28) & Nate Johnson (26)– Brothers from Minnesota
– Conner Wilson (27) & Garrett McGuire (26) – Best Friends from California
– Doug Matter (72) & Dylan Matter (18) – Grandfather/Grandson from California
The final 13th team wasn’t able to be identified by @realitytv_fan, though the account referred to the duo as “Unknown Blonde Moms.”
Keep in mind, however, that this is purely speculative, and that an official cast has not yet been unveiled.
What Countries Will ‘The Amazing Race’ Visit in Season 39?
CBS/GettyUnlike other reality competition series that film on a dedicated, private set, “The Amazing Race” takes place out in the open as contestants journey across the globe, interacting with locals.
As such, the franchise is much more difficult to keep under wraps than its CBS sister series “Survivor” and “Big Brother.” It also means that we’ve got a pretty good idea about the destinations this season’s players will visit on their journey towards the show’s $1 million grand prize.
According to eagle-eyed fans from around the world who witnessed filming take place between September 22 and October 17, 2025, Season 39 will kick off at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver, Canada.
From there, players will race to Madrid, Spain and Marrakesh, Morocco before travelling to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Later on, teams will continue their journey towards the million by jetting off to Laos, with stops in both Vang Vieng and Vientiane.
The vast majority of the season, however, will take place in Australia and New Zealand , with players set to explore the city of Melbourne – including landmarks such as Hosier Lane, Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Royal Exhibition Building at Carlton Gardens – and Christchurch, with stops at the Avon River, Edmonds Band Rotunda and the Christchurch Botanical Gardens.
For the final leg of the race, remaining teams will journey back to the U.S. in hopes of being the first to cross the finish line in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The world-wide stops are a marked change from last season’s “European Adventure,” which limited destinations primarily to Western Europe, dipping only as far south as Greece and as far east as Romania.
“The Amazing Race” Season 39 will similarly mark the first season of the franchise to not feature any legs whatsoever on the United States mainland.
