The 39th season of the long-running competition series, The Amazing Race, premieres on September 30 on CBS. The race begins in Vancouver, Canada, with 13 teams of two competing for a $1 million prize.
The season opens with a special two-night premiere event on September 30 and October 1 before settling into its regular Wednesday schedule. Here’s everything you need to know before tuning in, including when the episodes premiere, where to watch and a preview of what’s ahead.
‘The Amazing Race’ Season 39 Premiere:
- Episode: Episode 1 — “Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass”
- Season: Season 39
- Air Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Host: Phil Keoghan
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
- Network: CBS
- Streaming Service: Paramount+
What Is ‘The Amazing Race’ About?
Hosted by Phil Keoghan, The Amazing Race sends teams of two around the world to complete physical and mental challenges while racing toward each new destination. Along the way, teams must navigate unfamiliar cities and complete Roadblocks, Detours and other tasks designed to test their mental and physical strength. The teams race to find Phil at the Pit Stop, and those at the back of the pack are eliminated as the race progresses. In the final episode, the first team to reach the final destination wins the $1 million prize.
Season 39 features 13 teams competing on a route spanning more than 25,000 miles across five continents, nine countries and 13 cities. The race begins in Vancouver, Canada, before sending teams across the globe to destinations throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. The route also includes the show’s first-ever visit to Albania.
How to Watch ‘The Amazing Race’ Season 39
The Amazing Race Season 39 premieres Wednesday, September 30, at 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Part two of the premiere airs Thursday, October 1, at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Following the two-night premiere, new episodes air Wednesdays on CBS beginning October 7. Paramount+ Premium subscribers can stream episodes live through their local CBS affiliate, while Paramount+ subscribers can watch episodes on demand after they air. Previous seasons of The Amazing Race are also available to stream on Paramount+.
You can watch CBS and stream Paramount+ through DIRECTV, making it easy to follow the race all the way to the finale. Get started today!
‘The Amazing Race’ Season 39 Premiere Preview
Here’s what to expect in the premiere, including a sneak peek from the trailer:
Season 39 starts in Vancouver, where Phil Keoghan reveals a first for the series: all 13 teams receive an Express Pass. The advantage allows a team to skip a task and move ahead in the race, but every team must decide when to use their pass before the end of Leg 6.
The two-night premiere begins with the teams racing through Vancouver before the competition heads overseas to Madrid, Spain, in Episode 2. Once in Madrid, the dynamics between the teams begin to take shape as a new alliance emerges.
From there, the race will continue across five continents, nine countries and 13 cities, covering more than 25,000 miles throughout Europe, Africa and Asia.
‘The Amazing Race’ Season 39 Teams
The tracker will be updated as teams are eliminated from the race.
| Team | Relationship | Hometown | Status |
| Ali Krieger & Joanna Lohman | Former USWNT teammates | Montclair, New Jersey / Silver Spring, Maryland | Active |
| Ann-Marie Tejcek & Riley Tejcek | Mother and daughter | Carmel, Indiana / San Diego, California | Active |
| Anuar Tager & Andrea Tager Ballesca | Father and daughter | Houston, Texas | Active |
| Cody Langlois & Jaime Tribo | Siblings | Los Angeles, California / Tinley Park, Illinois | Active |
| Conner Wilson & Garrett McGuire | Childhood friends | Loomis, California / Rocklin, California | Active |
| Dafina Dunmore & Saran Dunmore | Sisters and best friends | Chicago, Illinois | Active |
| Daisha Wilks & Dalton Hamby | Dating | Flat Rock, Alabama / Jacksonville, Alabama | Active |
| Doug Matter & Dylan Matter | Grandfather and grandson | San Diego, California | Active |
| Erin Taylor & Javi Vintimilla | Married | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Active |
| Jody Rebhun & Jenn Naso | Best friends and moms | Branford, Connecticut / Larchmont, New York | Active |
| Katie Schultz & Charlotte Schultz | Sisters | Murray, Kentucky | Active |
| Michelle Patterson & Matthew Patterson | Married parents | Rutherford, New Jersey | Active |
| Zach Johnson & Nate Johnson | Brothers | Dallas, Texas | Active |
‘The Amazing Race’ Season 39 Schedule
| Episode | Title | Air Date | Status |
| Episode 1 | “Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass” | September 30, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Episode 2 | “Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?” | October 1, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Episode 3 | “This Is Sick and Twisted” | October 7, 2026 | Scheduled |
After the two-night premiere, The Amazing Race returns to its regular Wednesday schedule at 9:30 p.m. ET beginning October 7. This table will be updated as additional episode titles are announced.
Watch ‘The Amazing Race’ on DIRECTV
Never miss a race! Watch new episodes of The Amazing Race every week on CBS and stream them on Paramount+ through DIRECTV, and catch up on previous seasons of The Amazing Race anytime.
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Frequently asked questions
How Much Is the Prize on The Amazing Race?
When does the new season of Amazing Race premiere?
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