- The Amazing Race Season 39 premiered September 30, 2026 with a two-night event on CBS
- 13 teams race across 9 countries, 13 cities, and over 25,000 miles for a $1 million prize
- Every team starts with an Express Pass, the season's biggest strategic twist
- Vancouver, Canada hosted the starting line; the premiere continued in Madrid, Spain
- New episodes air weekly on CBS and stream on Paramount+
The Amazing Race Season 39 Overview
The Amazing Race Season 39 is the 2026 edition of CBS's flagship travel competition, returning with 13 brand-new two-person teams racing around the world for the $1 million grand prize. The season opened with a two-night premiere on September 30 and October 1, 2026, beginning in Vancouver, Canada and continuing in Madrid, Spain.
The route spans 5 continents, 9 countries, 13 cities, and more than 25,000 miles of travel, making it one of the most geographically diverse seasons in recent memory. Each episode follows teams as they complete Roadblocks, Detours, and navigation challenges before checking in at the Pit Stop, where finishing order determines placement and elimination.
Season 39's defining twist is the universal Express Pass: all 13 teams begin the race holding one, turning the normally earned advantage into an early-season strategic decision for every pair. Episode 1's title, "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass," confirms teams were spending passes during the premiere.
| Season Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Premiere | September 30, 2026 (two-night event) |
| Network | CBS |
| Teams | 13 two-person teams |
| Route | 5 continents, 9 countries, 13 cities |
| Distance | Over 25,000 miles |
| Grand Prize | $1 million |
| Starting Line | Vancouver, Canada |
| Second Leg | Madrid, Spain |
Meet the Season 39 Cast and Teams
Season 39 features 13 two-person teams built around existing personal relationships, from couples and family members to friends and colleagues. Each pair brings different backgrounds, occupations, and life experiences into the race, making communication and teamwork central to performance. Official cast profiles released by CBS and Paramount introduce each racer's relationship, occupation, and background before the race begins.
Among the announced teams are notable pairs including Ali Krieger & Joanna Lohman, former professional soccer players, and Doug & Dylan Matter, a father-son pairing. Full cast breakdowns pair naturally with leg results, letting viewers track which teams remain in the competition each week.
13 Competing Teams
- Season 39 starts with 13 two-person teams
- Every pair has an existing relationship
- Teamwork drives performance
Diverse Backgrounds
- Athletes, families, colleagues, and friends
- Includes former pro soccer players
- Wide range of occupations and skills
Progress Tracking
- Cast profiles pair with leg results
- Follow eliminations each week
- Quick reference for remaining teams
Always confirm cast information through the official CBS Amazing Race page or Paramount Press Express releases, such as the official Season 39 cast announcement. Fan sites and social accounts can circulate unverified spoilers early in the season.
Episode Guide and Schedule
The Amazing Race Season 39 began with a two-night premiere event on September 30 and October 1, 2026, before settling into CBS's weekly fall schedule. Episode 1, titled "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass," launched the race from Vancouver, while Episode 2 moved the field to Madrid, where a new alliance began to emerge.
| Episode | Air Date | Location | Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere Part 1 | September 30, 2026 | Vancouver, Canada | 13 teams start the race; Express Pass twist begins |
| Premiere Part 2 | October 1, 2026 | Madrid, Spain | Madrid leg; a new alliance emerges |
| Upcoming Episodes | Weekly, 2026 season | International destinations | New legs, tasks, placements, and eliminations |
Two-night premieres and holiday weeks can shift the regular CBS broadcast slot. Check the official CBS episode listings each week for the most current air dates and any announced schedule changes before planning your viewing.
The Express Pass Twist Explained
Unlike previous seasons where an Express Pass was earned by winning a leg, Season 39 gives every one of the 13 teams an Express Pass at the starting line. This fundamentally changes early-race strategy: skipping a difficult task is an option for everyone, and each team must decide when the value of skipping outweighs the cost of losing the advantage.
Every Team Starts Armed
All 13 teams receive an Express Pass at the start, making the advantage part of every team's opening strategy rather than a single team's prize.
Understand the One-Time Skip
The pass lets a team bypass an eligible task and keep racing. Once used, it is gone for the remainder of the season.
Respect the Deadline
Teams cannot save the pass indefinitely. Season 39 rules include an early-race usage window, forcing racers to spend it during the designated opening portion or lose it.
Choose the Right Moment
The best uses come when a team is stuck on a Roadblock or Detour, falling behind the pack, facing a mismatched task, or protecting a late-leg position.
Because every team holds the same advantage at the start, timing matters twice over: a team must judge both when spending helps itself most and when rivals are likely to burn theirs. The premiere title confirmed at least one pair used the pass in the very first leg.
Results, Eliminations and Route
Season 39 opened with the full 13-team field in Vancouver before the race crossed the Atlantic to Madrid for the second night of the premiere. Results below will expand as CBS airs additional legs, keeping completed placements separate from upcoming competition.
| Stage | Location | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Field | Vancouver, Canada | Race began | All 13 teams enter the competition |
| Opening Leg | Vancouver, Canada | Completed | First tasks, Express Pass decisions |
| Madrid Leg | Madrid, Spain | Aired Oct 1 | A new alliance emerges in Spain |
| Later Legs | 9 countries, 13 cities | Updating weekly | Placements and eliminations added as episodes air |
Follow the Season Without Spoilers:
- Track the 13-team cast before each episode
- Record leg-by-leg finishing orders weekly
- Watch for Express Pass usage before the deadline
- Note alliance shifts as the field narrows
- Bookmark official CBS episode listings for schedule changes
Each leg ends at a Pit Stop where teams check in with host Phil Keoghan. The last team to arrive is typically eliminated unless the leg is a Non-Elimination leg, keeping the stakes high at every finish line.
Where to Watch Season 39
Viewers can follow The Amazing Race Season 39 through CBS's television broadcast and Paramount+ streaming options. Availability depends on your viewing method and plan, so compare the main options before each new leg.
Watch on CBS
- Primary option for new episodes
- Original weekly broadcast during fall 2026
- Check local listings for time slots
Stream with Paramount+
- On-demand access to aired episodes
- Plans with local CBS access support live viewing in eligible areas
- Catch up on completed legs anytime
Join the official community discussion on Reddit's r/TheAmazingRace and follow CBS's official social channels for cast news, sneak peeks, and schedule announcements released throughout the season.
Season 39 FAQ
Q: When did The Amazing Race Season 39 premiere?
Season 39 premiered with a two-night event on September 30 and October 1, 2026, on CBS. The first leg started in Vancouver, Canada, and the second night continued in Madrid, Spain.
Q: How many teams are competing in The Amazing Race Season 39?
Thirteen two-person teams are racing for the $1 million grand prize across 9 countries and 13 cities covering more than 25,000 miles.
Q: What is the Express Pass twist in Season 39?
Unlike past seasons where it was earned, every team begins Season 39 with an Express Pass. Each team can use it once to skip an eligible task, but an early-race deadline forces teams to spend it during the opening portion of the season or lose it.
Q: Where can I watch The Amazing Race Season 39?
New episodes air weekly on CBS, and aired episodes are available on demand through Paramount+. Paramount+ plans that include local CBS station access may support live viewing in eligible locations.