The Challenge: Cutthroat premieres on August 5, 2026, kicking off Season 42 of the long-running competition series. Here’s everything you need to know before tuning in, including when the episode premieres, where to watch, what happened last week and a preview of what’s ahead.
- Episode: Episode 1
- Season: Season 42
- Episode Title: “Return to Cutthroat”
- Air Date:
- Time: 3:00 AM ET / 12:00 AM PT
- Host: TJ Lavin
- Filming Location: Thailand
- Streaming Service: Paramount+
What is ‘The Challenge’ on Paramount+ About?
Hosted by TJ Lavin, The Challenge is a long-running reality competition series that debuted in 1998. Each season brings together a mix of reality TV veterans and newcomers to compete in physically and mentally demanding challenges for a cash prize.
Season 42, Cutthroat, features 24 competitors divided into three teams as they battle for a share of the $500,000 prize. Throughout the season, competitors must work together as teams to earn a place in the final, but in the end, the winning team captain will decide how the prize money is divided.
How to Watch ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’
New episodes of The Challenge premiere Wednesdays on Paramount+ and are released weekly at 3:00 AM ET / 12:00 AM PT. Previous seasons of The Challenge are also available to stream on Paramount+.
You can stream Paramount+ through DIRECTV, making it easy to follow the competition all season long. Get started today!
‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’ Episode 1 Preview
Here’s what to expect in this week’s episode:
Season 42 kicks off in Thailand as 24 competitors are divided into three teams for the return of the Cutthroat format. The cast will face its first challenge of the season as they begin competing for a share of the $500,000 prize. But this season comes with a dramatic new twist: The winning team captain has the final say in how the grand prize is divided!
‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’ Season 42 Competitor Tracker
| Competitor | Original Show | Team | Status |
| Adrienne Naylor | Married at First Sight UK 8 | TBD | Active |
| Alexis “Lete” | WWE NXT | TBD | Active |
| Anna Leigh Wilson | The Amazing Race 35 | TBD | Active |
| Brad Fiorenza | The Real World: San Diego | TBD | Active |
| Cara Maria Sorbello | The Challenge: Fresh Meat II | TBD | Active |
| Cassidy Clark | Survivor 43 | TBD | Active |
| Cedric Hodges | Big Brother 26 | TBD | Active |
| Chris “CT” Tamburello | The Real World: Paris | TBD | Active |
| Chris Underwood | Survivor: Edge of Extinction | TBD | Active |
| Cory Wharton | The Real World: Ex-Plosion | TBD | Active |
| Deb Chubb | Love Island USA 4 | TBD | Active |
| Izzy Fairthorne | Too Hot to Handle 3 | TBD | Active |
| Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio | The Real World: Key West | TBD | Active |
| Josh Goldstein | Love Island USA 3 | TBD | Active |
| Justin Hinsley | Cheer | TBD | Active |
| Keanu Soto | Big Brother 27 | TBD | Active |
| Leonardo “Leo” Dionicio | Love Island USA 5 | TBD | Active |
| Michele Fitzgerald | Survivor: Kaôh Rōng | TBD | Active |
| Nelson Thomas | Are You the One? 3 | TBD | Active |
| Nurys Mateo | Are You the One? 6 | TBD | Active |
| Reilly Smedley | Big Brother 25 | TBD | Active |
| Sydney Segal | Survivor 41 | TBD | Active |
| Tori Deal | Are You the One? 4 | TBD | Active |
| Will Gagnon | Are You the One? 9 | TBD | Active |
‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’ Episode Schedule
Follow the season with the episode schedule below:
| Episode | Title | Air Date | Status |
| Episode 1 | “Return to Cutthroat” | August 5, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Episode 2 | TBA | August 12, 2026 | Scheduled |
New episodes premiere every Wednesday. This schedule will be updated as additional episodes are announced.
Watch ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’ on DIRECTV
Never miss an elimination! Stream new episodes of The Challenge: Cutthroat every week on Paramount+ through DIRECTV, and catch up on previous seasons of The Challenge anytime.
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