- The Amazing Race Season 39 episode 1 kicks off with a historic twist: all 13 teams receive an Express Pass at the start line.
- The episode title, "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass," reveals that one team burns their pass almost immediately.
- Teams must use their Express Pass before the end of leg six, creating a season-long strategic dilemma.
- Notable racers include former USWNT teammates Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax, married parents Michelle and Matthew, and grandfather-grandson duo Doug and Dylan.
- The race continues into Madrid, Spain, where a new alliance forms and early Express Pass decisions bring instant regret.
Episode 1 Overview: The Express Pass Era Begins
The Amazing Race Season 39 episode 1 rewrites the show's opening formula. For the first time in the franchise's history, host Phil Keoghan hands every single one of the 13 teams an Express Pass before the race even begins. The advantage lets a team skip any single task and jump ahead, but there is a catch: each pass must be played before the end of leg six. That single rule turns Season 39 into a psychological chess match from the opening minutes.
The episode title — "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass" — spoils the biggest early storyline: at least one team cashes in their pass during the very first leg, a decision that echoes into episode 2 with what commentators have described as instant regret. If a team spends the pass in the opening leg, they enter the chaotic Madrid leg with no safety net at all.
Video Highlights:
- Every team receives an Express Pass for the first time in show history
- One team's early pass usage triggers regret by episode 2
- Episode 2, "Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?", sends racers to Madrid
- A new alliance emerges among the Season 39 cast
- 13 teams compete, including former USWNT stars and a grandfather-grandson duo
The Express Pass rule reshapes the entire season's strategy. Watch episode 1 closely to note which teams spend their pass early and which hold it — that single decision shapes the elimination picture through the first six legs.
Meet the Season 39 Cast
Season 39 features 13 two-person teams chasing the million-dollar prize. Episode 1 gives each team its first taste of race pressure, and a few familiar faces stand out immediately.
| Team | Relationship | Early Strengths | Watch Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ali Krieger & Johanna Lomax | Former USWNT teammates | Athleticism, competitiveness, teamwork | ★★★★★ |
| Michelle & Matthew | Married parents | Steady communication, resilience | ★★★★ |
| Doug & Dylan | Grandfather & grandson | Bond, underdog appeal | ★★★★ |
| Remaining 10 teams | Mixed pairs | Varies by leg | ★★★ |
With 13 teams holding equal power thanks to the Express Pass twist, episode 1 emphasizes social strategy as much as speed. Early bonds formed in the first leg become the foundation for the alliance drama that surfaces in Madrid during episode 2.
The Athletes
- Ali Krieger & Johanna Lomax
- Elite fitness background
- Pressure-tested teamwork
- Early favorites on paper
The Family Teams
- Michelle & Matthew
- Doug & Dylan
- Deep personal trust
- Emotional storytelling
The Strategists
- Teams weighing Express Pass timing
- Alliance-building in Madrid
- Information sharing vs. becoming a target
The Express Pass Twist Explained
The Express Pass has appeared in past seasons, but never distributed to the entire field at once. Season 39 episode 1 changes the math completely.
| Express Pass Strategy | Best When | Risk Level | Payoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use in Leg 1 | Struggling with the first task | High | Avoid early elimination, but no safety net afterward |
| Use in Legs 2–4 | Mid-race task you cannot solve | Medium | Survive a bad day while keeping options open |
| Hold Until Legs 5–6 | Confident team wanting insurance | Medium | Late-leg rescue, but risk wasting it |
| Never Use | Not an option | N/A | Pass expires after leg six |
Every team must deploy the Express Pass before the end of leg six. A pass left unused simply expires — meaning "holding it forever" is not a strategy at all. The real question is timing.
How to Watch Episode 1 and Track the Season
Catch the Premiere
Watch The Amazing Race Season 39 episode 1, "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass," on CBS or stream it on Paramount+ to see the Express Pass twist launch.
Log the First-Leg Results
Note which team finished first, who used the Express Pass immediately, and which team was eliminated or saved by the pass.
Follow the Madrid Leg
Episode 2, "Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?", moves the race to Madrid, Spain, where a new alliance emerges and the early Express Pass regret storyline pays off.
Track the Deadline
Keep a running tally of which teams still hold their Express Pass as leg six approaches — expired passes reshape elimination odds dramatically.
Rewatching episode 1 after episode 2 makes the strategy visible: you can spot exactly which team's Express Pass gamble set up their Madrid struggles.
Episode 1 Viewer Checklist
Key Things to Track from Episode 1:
- Identify which team used the Express Pass in leg one
- Record the first leg's finishing order
- Note early alliances forming among the 13 teams
- Watch Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax's opening-leg pace
- Mark the leg-six Express Pass deadline on your watch calendar
Before episode 2, write down your predictions: Which team regrets their Express Pass? Will the Madrid alliance hold together? Comparing notes with the fan community is half the fun of a strategy-heavy season like this one.
FAQ
Q: What is the big twist in The Amazing Race Season 39 episode 1?
For the first time in show history, all 13 teams receive an Express Pass at the start of the race. Each team must use it before the end of leg six, creating a season-long timing dilemma that begins in episode 1, titled 'Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass.'
Q: Which team used the Express Pass right away in episode 1?
The episode title confirms at least one team spent their Express Pass during the very first leg. Early coverage of episode 2 suggests that decision brings instant regret once the race reaches Madrid, Spain.
Q: Who are the notable teams in Season 39?
The 13-team cast includes former USWNT teammates Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax, married parents Michelle and Matthew, and grandfather-grandson duo Doug and Dylan, along with ten other two-person teams.
Q: Where does the race go after episode 1?
Episode 2, titled 'Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?', sends the racers to Madrid, Spain, where a new alliance emerges and the consequences of early Express Pass decisions come into play.