- The Amazing Race Season 39 episode 3 airs weekly on CBS after the two-night premiere on September 30 and October 1, 2026.
- Episodes 1 and 2 covered the Vancouver start and the Madrid leg, where a new alliance emerged.
- Every team started the race with an Express Pass, the season's signature twist.
- 13 teams are racing across 9 countries, 13 cities, and more than 25,000 miles for $1 million.
- Stream or catch up on episodes through CBS and Paramount+.
The Amazing Race Season 39 Episode 3: Preview and Air Date
The Amazing Race Season 39 episode 3 continues the race after a dramatic two-night premiere. CBS launched Season 39 on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Vancouver, Canada, then continued the premiere on Thursday, October 1 in Madrid, Spain. Following the premiere format, the series moves into its regular weekly CBS slot, which puts episode 3 on track for the following week in the season's standard broadcast window.
Episode 3 will pick up with the remaining teams after the opening legs, carrying forward the placements, alliances, and Express Pass decisions established in Vancouver and Madrid.
CBS has officially confirmed the two-night premiere dates. The exact episode 3 air date and title will be added here as soon as CBS publishes them on the official Season 39 episode guide. Check local listings for your CBS broadcast time.
Season 39 Episodes So Far:
| Episode | Air Date | Location | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere Part 1 | September 30, 2026 | Vancouver, Canada | 13 teams start the race; "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass" |
| Premiere Part 2 | October 1, 2026 | Madrid, Spain | Madrid leg continues; a new alliance emerges |
| Episode 3 | Expected weekly in October 2026 | To be announced | New leg, tasks, placements, and possible elimination |
Recap: What Happened in Episodes 1 and 2
Episode 3 makes far more sense once you understand where the race stands after the premiere. Here is a quick review of the two opening legs.
Vancouver Start
- All 13 teams launched the race in Vancouver, Canada
- Opening tasks set the early running order
- First Express Pass decisions appeared immediately
Madrid Leg
- Teams crossed the Atlantic to Madrid, Spain
- Culturally themed Spanish tasks tested the field
- A new alliance formed among teams
Race State
- Placements from the premiere shape episode 3
- Express Pass usage deadline pressure builds
- At least one leg ended at a Pit Stop with consequences
If you missed the premiere, both episodes are available on demand through Paramount+ before episode 3 airs, so you can catch up on the Vancouver and Madrid legs in one sitting.
The Express Pass Twist and Episode 3 Strategy
Season 39's defining twist gives every team an Express Pass from the starting line, which directly affects how episode 3 plays out.
| Express Pass Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Who has one | All 13 starting teams |
| What it does | Skips an eligible task and lets the team continue racing |
| Usage limit | One-time use per team, then gone for the season |
| Deadline | Must be used within the designated early-race window or it expires |
Because the deadline falls in the opening portion of the season, episode 3 sits squarely in the pressure zone where teams holding unused passes must decide whether to spend them or risk losing them.
Assess the Field
Track which teams already spent their Express Pass during the Vancouver and Madrid legs, as revealed in the premiere title "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass."
Watch the Deadline
Teams that saved their passes face a shrinking window; episode 3 could force desperate uses on a difficult Roadblock or Detour.
Track the Alliance
The Madrid alliance formed in episode 2 may hold or fracture in episode 3, affecting task sharing and pace-setting.
Follow the Pit Stop
The leg's finishing order determines placements and whether an elimination shrinks the field further.
With every team holding the same advantage at the start, Express Pass timing becomes a game of reading opponents. A pass spent too early wastes protection; a pass held too long expires worthless.
Schedule and Where to Watch Episode 3
Season 39 airs as part of CBS's fall 2026 lineup, with Paramount+ providing streaming access during the broadcast run.
| Viewing Option | Platform | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Live broadcast | CBS | New episodes during scheduled weekly airings |
| On demand | Paramount+ | Episodes available after broadcast on supported plans |
| Live streaming | Paramount+ (live CBS plans) | Live local CBS access in eligible locations |
| Episode info | CBS episode guide | Titles, dates, and schedule changes as announced |
Bookmark the official CBS Amazing Race page and the Paramount press site for the confirmed episode 3 title, destination, and any schedule changes.
Before Episode 3 Airs:
- Rewatch the Vancouver and Madrid premiere legs
- Note which teams have used their Express Pass
- Track the new Madrid alliance members
- Confirm your local CBS air time
- Set up Paramount+ on-demand access as a backup
Season 39 Snapshot: Cast, Route, and Stakes
Episode 3 is one chapter in a season-long global race. Here is the bigger picture framing the episode.
| Season 39 Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Teams | 13 two-person teams with existing relationships |
| Grand prize | $1 million |
| Route scale | 5 continents, 9 countries, 13 cities, 25,000+ miles |
| Starting line | Vancouver, Canada |
| Confirmed stops | Vancouver; Madrid, Spain |
| Signature twist | Every team starts with an Express Pass |
Notable confirmed cast members include former soccer stars Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman and brothers Doug and Dylan Matter, among the 13 pairs announced by Paramount.
Season 39's route will expand beyond Spain as new legs air. Each new episode adds destinations, eliminations, and results to the season tracker, so check back after every broadcast for updates.
FAQ
Q: When does The Amazing Race Season 39 episode 3 air?
Episode 3 follows the two-night premiere of September 30 and October 1, 2026, airing in the show's regular weekly CBS slot. CBS has not yet published the confirmed episode 3 date and title; check the official CBS episode guide for the announcement.
Q: What happened in The Amazing Race Season 39 episodes 1 and 2?
Episode 1 started the race in Vancouver, Canada, with all 13 teams and the first Express Pass uses. Episode 2 continued the premiere in Madrid, Spain, where racers faced a new leg and a new alliance emerged among the teams.
Q: How does the Season 39 Express Pass twist work?
Every one of the 13 teams began Season 39 with an Express Pass that skips an eligible task. It can be used only once, and Season 39 rules include an early-race usage deadline, so teams cannot save it indefinitely.
Q: Where can I watch The Amazing Race Season 39 episode 3?
Episode 3 airs on CBS during its scheduled weekly broadcast and is available on demand through Paramount+ after airing. Paramount+ plans that include live CBS access may also support live viewing in eligible locations.