- The Amazing Race Season 39 teams: 13 duos competing for the million-dollar prize
- Express Pass twist: Every team received one at the start — must use it by end of leg six
- Notable racers: Former USWNT stars Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax headline the cast
- Key destinations: Vancouver kicked things off, with Madrid, Spain hosting episode two
- Strategic layer: New alliances are forming fast, and early pass decisions already carry regret
The Amazing Race Season 39 Teams at a Glance
Season 39 of The Amazing Race launched with 13 two-person teams, each chasing the million-dollar grand prize across a global course that started in Vancouver and moved quickly to Madrid, Spain. What sets this season apart from the start is a historic format change: for the first time, every single team received an Express Pass before the race began, forcing strategic decisions from the very first leg.
Among the most talked-about castings are former U.S. Women's National Team teammates Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax, whose athletic pedigree makes them immediate contenders. The field also features married parents Michelle and Matthew, and the grandfather-grandson duo Doug and Dylan, whose generational dynamic adds a fresh wrinkle to the usual racing chemistry.
Video Highlights:
- Episode 2 sends all teams to Madrid, Spain
- A new alliance emerges among several teams
- One team's Express Pass strategy brings instant regret
- The episode title — "Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?" — hints at a wild Detour
Team composition drives everything in Season 39. With all 13 teams holding an Express Pass, physical strength alone won't win legs — timing, alliance-building, and reading the field are now just as decisive.
Notable Teams and Their Racing Profiles
While the full 13-team field spans a wide range of backgrounds and relationships, a few teams have drawn the most attention through the opening legs. Here's how the headline duos stack up.
| Team | Relationship | Strength Profile | Early Watch Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ali Krieger & Johanna Lomax | Former USWNT teammates | Elite endurance, competitive drive | Target for early alliances |
| Michelle & Matthew | Married parents | Steady communication, life experience | Balancing pace with navigation |
| Doug & Dylan | Grandfather-grandson | Unique bond, emotional rooting value | Physical tasks at Detours |
World-class athletes like Krieger and Lomax bring proven conditioning, but The Amazing Race historically rewards puzzle-solving and airport logistics just as much as raw fitness. Don't count out quieter teams.
The Athletes
- Endurance-heavy legs favor them
- High pain tolerance
- Must avoid over-reliance on speed
The Family Duos
- Strong communication built in
- Emotional motivation
- Physical Detours are the risk
The Strategists
- Alliance play and info sharing
- Express Pass timing focus
- Can become targets fast
The Express Pass Twist: How It Shapes Every Team
The headline rule change of Season 39 gives all 13 teams an Express Pass — an advantage that lets a team skip a single task — but every pass must be used before the end of leg six. Episode 1's title, "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass," confirmed at least one team burned theirs immediately, and episode 2's teasers suggest that decision already carries instant regret.
| Express Pass Strategy | Potential Upside | Potential Downfall | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use immediately (Leg 1-2) | Early momentum, avoids first elimination | No safety net for later legs | Front-running risk-takers |
| Hold to deadline (Leg 5-6) | Maximum insurance late | Forced use wastes value if safe | Cautious, consistent teams |
| React to the field | Flexible mid-race play | Timing errors prove costly | Strategic alliance teams |
Assess the Leg Type
Evaluate whether the current leg favors your team's strengths. If a brutal physical Detour threatens elimination, the pass earns maximum value.
Watch the Alliance Bloc
Coordinate with allied teams so passes don't collide. Using two passes on the same task wastes collective value.
Never Ride It to the Deadline
A pass that expires unused is a wasted asset. Teams should trigger it by leg five at the latest to keep control of timing.
Factor In the Target Effect
Using a pass publicly marks a team as a strategic threat. Be ready for rival teams to withhold information afterward.
Episode 2's teasers make the season's core theme explicit: every decision has consequences. A pass spent too early means facing Madrid-level challenges without a lifeline — and the pack notices.
Alliances in Madrid: The New Power Dynamic
The opening legs of Season 39 have already produced a new alliance among the 13 teams, and the dynamics in Madrid are shifting accordingly. Alliances in The Amazing Race cut both ways: shared navigation intel and Detour hints can save a struggling team, but a visible bloc invites counter-strategy from outsiders.
Alliance Factors to Track This Season:
- Which teams are openly sharing Detour information
- Whether the alliance survives the first non-elimination leg
- How outsiders target the bloc at airports and travel hubs
- Whether Express Pass timing is being coordinated within the group
- Which alliance member becomes the first betrayal story
Madrid marks the point where the race turns psychological. With a new bloc forming and one team already second-guessing its pass usage, leg two is where Season 39's strategic identity takes shape.
FAQ
Q: How many teams are racing in The Amazing Race Season 39?
Season 39 features 13 two-person teams, including former USWNT teammates Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax, married parents Michelle and Matthew, and grandfather-grandson duo Doug and Dylan.
Q: What is the Express Pass twist in Season 39?
For the first time in show history, all 13 teams received an Express Pass at the start of the race. Each pass lets a team skip one task, but it must be used before the end of leg six.
Q: Where do the teams travel in the early legs?
The race began in Vancouver before moving to Madrid, Spain in episode two, where a new alliance emerges and one team's early Express Pass use brings regret.
Q: Why is episode 2 titled 'Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?'
The quirky title references a moment or challenge from the Madrid leg — likely a Detour or a panicked racer quote — teased in the pre-episode sneak peeks.