Get ready, get set … The Amazing Race Season 39 begins Wednesday, Sept. 30, with host Phil Keoghan sending 13 teams of two on a race spanning five continents, nine countries, 13 cities, and more than 25,000 miles.
This season starts in Vancouver, Canada, where racers immediately encounter a new twist: 13 Express Passes, up front. Along the way, teams will jump 200 feet from the catwalk of BC Stadium, walk with camels in Morocco, fly a paramotor in Laos, and make the Race’s first visit to Albania. The first team to reach the final destination wins $1 million.
Key facts
- Premiere: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at 9:30 PM ET/PT
- Premiere event: Special two-night premiere, continuing Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026
- Host: Phil Keoghan
- Cast: 13 teams of two
- Premise: Teams race around the world, completing mental and physical challenges for a $1 million prize
- Starting line: Vancouver, Canada
- Season 39 twist: 13 Express Passes are in play, one for each team, and must be used by the end of Leg 6
- Route: Five continents, nine countries, 13 cities, and more than 25,000 miles
- Notable destination: Albania, visited for the first time
- Where to watch: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+*
*New episodes can be streamed live on Paramount+ as they air on CBS via the Paramount+ Premium plan, or they can be streamed on the day after they air via any Paramount+ plan.
When does Season 39 premiere?
The Amazing Race Season 39 premieres Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 9:30 PM ET/PT, on CBS. The season begins with a special two-night premiere event, with Part 2 airing Thursday, Oct. 1, at 9:30 PM ET/PT.
The Amazing Race streams on Paramount+. Paramount+ Premium subscribers can watch the show live as it airs. Subscribers of either tier (Paramount+ Premium or Paramount+ Essential) can stream the episode on demand the day after it airs.
What is Season 39 about?
The Amazing Race Season 39 sends 13 teams of two around the world as they complete mental and physical challenges and race to avoid elimination. The first team to reach the final destination wins $1 million.
The route covers more than 25,000 miles across five continents, nine countries, and 13 cities. Among the challenges, racers jump 200 feet from the catwalk of BC Stadium in Vancouver, walk alongside camels in Morocco, and fly a paramotor through the skies of Laos. The season also marks the Race’s first visit to Albania.
Watch the sneak peek
You can watch a sneak peak of The Amazing Race Season 39 right here. Get ready for action.
What is the new Express Pass twist?
For the first time in The Amazing Race history, 13 Express Passes are in play all at once. Each team receives one Express Pass at the starting line in Vancouver.
Teams can use the Express Pass strategically during the Race, but there is a deadline: Each team must play its pass by the end of Leg 6.
Who is in The Amazing Race Season 39 cast?
The Amazing Race Season 39 features 13 teams, including family members, friends, couples, and professional athletes.
The teams are:
Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman
- Professional athletes and moms from Montclair, N.J. and Silver Spring, Md.
- Ali, 42, is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion with the U.S. Women’s National Team
- Joanna, 44, played professionally and represented the USWNT
Ann-Marie Tejcek and Riley Tejcek
- Mother and daughter duo from Carmel, Ind. and San Diego, Calif.
- Ann-Marie, 56, is a healthcare executive
- Riely, 29, is a marine officer
Anuar Tager and Andrea Tager Ballesca
- Father and daughter from Houston, Texas
- Anuar, 58, is a developer
- Andrea, 25, is a medical student
Cody Langlois and Jaime Tribo
- Siblings from Los Angeles, Calif. And Tinley Park, Ill.
- Cody, 35, is a civil engineer
- Jaime, 33, is a dietitian
Conner Wilson and Garrett McGuire
- Childhood friends from Loomis, Calif. And Rocklin, Calif.
- Conner, 27, is a media producer
- Garrett, 27, is an engineer
Dafina and Saran Dunmore
- Sisters and best friends from Chicago, Ill.
- Dafina, 52, is a bond analyst and DJ
- Saran, 51, is a personal trainer and founder of Kids Leading Kids
Daisha Wilks and Dalton Hamby
- Dating couple from Flat Rock, Ala. and Jacksonville, Ala.
- Daisha, 28, is a videographer
- Dalton, 27, is also a videographer
Doug and Dylan Matter
- Grandfather and grandson from San Diego, Calif.
- Doug, 73, is a retired fire chief
- Dylan, 19, is a college student
Erin Taylor and Javi Vintimilla
- Married couple from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Erin, 28, is head of human resources
- Javi, 30, is a pilot
Jody Rebhun and Jenn Naso
- Best friends and moms from Branford, Conn. and Larchmont, N.Y.
- Jody, 44, is a history teacher
- Jen, 44, is a forensic scientist
Katie and Charlotte Schultz
- Sisters from Murray, Ky.
- Kate, 26, is an esthetician
- Charlotte, 20, is also an esthetician
Michelle and Matthew Patterson
- Married parents from Rutherford, N.J.
- Michelle, 31, is an auto body shop owner and real estate agent
- Matthew, 36, is a business ooperations director
Zach and Nate Johnson
- Brothers from Dallas, Texas
- Zach, 30, is a car salesman and co-founder of Pipley
- Nate, 27, is a director of sales
Who hosts?
Phil Keoghan returns as host of The Amazing Race Season 39. Keoghan starts the Race in Vancouver, where he reveals the season’s Express Pass twist to the 13 teams.
How to watch
The Amazing Race Season 39 airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
Paramount+ subscribers to the Paramount+ Premium plan can stream episodes live as they air on CBS. Subscribers to any Paramount+ plan, including the Paramount+ Essential plan, can stream episodes on demand starting the day after they air.
You can also watch past seasons of The Amazing Race on Paramount+
When do new episodes air?
Following the two-night premiere on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, The Amazing Race Season 39 returns to its regular Wednesday time period beginning Oct. 7 at 9:30 PM ET/PT, on CBS.
New episodes also stream on Paramount+, with live and on-demand availability based on subscription plan.
The Amazing Race
Watch NowFAQ
Where does Season 39 start?
The Amazing Race Season 39 starts in Vancouver, Canada, where host Phil Keoghan sends 13 teams on the first leg of the Race.
How many teams are on Season 39?
The Amazing Race Season 39 features 13 teams of two. The cast includes siblings, parents and children, friends, married couples, and professional athletes.
What is the prize for Season 39?
The winning team on The Amazing Race Season 39 receives a $1 million prize.
How many countries does The Amazing Race Season 39 visit?
The Amazing Race Season 39 travels through nine countries, 13 cities, and five continents across more than 25,000 miles.
Is The Amazing Race Season 39 on Paramount+?
Yes. The Amazing Race Season 39 streams on Paramount+. Subscribers to the Paramount+ Premium plan can stream episodes as they live on CBS, while all subscribers (with the Paramount+ Premium or Paramount+ Essential plan) can watch on demand the day after each episode airs.
