- The Amazing Race Season 39 premiere date: The season debuted March 30, 2022 on CBS in the United States.
- Major twist: For the first time, all 13 teams received an Express Pass at the start of the race.
- Starting line: The race kicked off in Mexico City before traveling the world.
- Host: Phil Keoghan returned as host for the 39th edition of the Emmy-winning reality competition.
- Where to watch: Episodes aired weekly on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
The Amazing Race Season 39 Premiere Date and Broadcast Details
The Amazing Race Season 39 premiere date was Wednesday, March 30, 2022, when CBS aired the first episode, "We're Here to Win," launching a brand-new crop of racers into the global competition. After pandemic-related delays affected earlier seasons, Season 39 marked a return to a more traditional worldwide route, and the premiere immediately signaled that this edition would play by new rules.
The season aired on Wednesday nights at 9/8c on CBS, with episodes available to stream the following day on Paramount+. Filming took place in mid-2022 across multiple continents, and host Phil Keoghan confirmed during press interviews that the production team deliberately rebuilt the route to celebrate the show's return to full-scale international racing.
Video Highlights from the Season 39 premiere coverage:
- Phil Keoghan breaks down why 13 Express Passes changed the entire strategic landscape
- The show's first-ever race leg in Vancouver, Canada, fulfilling a long-standing fan request
- Behind-the-scenes insight into casting, including teams that applied seven or eight times
- A look at the emotional toll of the first-leg elimination
If you are catching up on Season 39 in 2026, full seasons of The Amazing Race remain available on Paramount+, and select seasons rotate on other streaming platforms. Check CBS's official site for current availability.
Season 39 Format: The Express Pass Twist Explained
The headline change of Season 39 was the Express Pass overhaul. In prior seasons, only one or two teams earned an Express Pass by finishing first on early legs. Season 39 handed every single team an Express Pass at the starting line — 13 passes in play simultaneously, a first in the show's history.
| Season | Express Pass Rules | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Season 39 | All 13 teams receive one pass each | Constant unpredictability, mid-pack teams could strike anytime |
| Earlier seasons | 1-2 passes earned by winning early legs | Favored strong front-running teams |
| Leg 1 of Season 39 | Pass usable immediately | Best teams had to guess when rivals would deploy theirs |
Phil Keoghan described the change as a genuine game changer. Teams faced a classic dilemma: spend the pass early on Leg 1 to avoid a shocking first elimination, or hold it as an insurance card deep into the race. According to Keoghan, the twist let weaker early teams claw back into contention and forced frontrunners to second-guess the middle of the pack at every Roadblock and Detour.
Leg 1 eliminations are brutal. As Keoghan noted, teams that spent years applying to the show can be sent home "literally hours after the start." The Express Pass existed partly to soften — but not eliminate — that risk.
Receive Your Pass at the Start Line
Every one of the 13 teams got an Express Pass before the race began, no challenge required.
Assess the First Leg
Teams evaluated the opening challenges in Mexico City to decide whether early deployment was worth it.
Choose a Strategy
Burn it early for a Leg 1 safety cushion, or hold it as insurance for a later, tougher leg.
Track Rival Usage
Because everyone had one, teams watched closely for opponents shouting "We'd like to use our Express Pass" at any challenge.
Season 39 Route Highlights: Vancouver and Beyond
Season 39's route spanned four continents, but one stop stood out for longtime viewers: Vancouver, Canada. Canadian fans had asked Phil Keoghan for years why the U.S. version never raced north of the border, especially given the success of the Canadian edition of the show. Season 39 finally delivered.
Vancouver, Canada
- First Canadian leg in U.S. version history
- Filmed on a spectacular sunny day
- Greenery highlighted after frequent rain
Mexico City Start
- Season kickoff location
- Crowded urban challenges
- Set the tone for a competitive season
Global Route
- Four continents visited
- Classic mix of Roadblocks and Detours
- Surprises in every envelope
Keoghan remarked that Vancouver "was showing off" on filming day, with the city's famous green landscape on full display — a rarity in a city known for rain. The Canadian leg was widely praised by fans as a long-overdue addition.
The U.S. version historically avoided Canada partly due to the existence of The Amazing Race Canada. With 39 seasons of history, producers decided the time was right to give Canadian fans what they had asked for.
Season 39 Cast and Team Overview
The 13 teams of Season 39 went through multiple casting calls before making the final cut, and several had applied many times — some as many as seven or eight attempts across years. Casting aimed for what producers called "the perfect mix" of personalities, relationships, and competitive drive.
| Team Dynamic | Why It Stood Out |
|---|---|
| Diverse pairings | Couples, siblings, friends, colleagues, and family duos |
| Repeat applicants | Multiple teams had applied for years before being cast |
| Competitive field | Keoghan called the cast "hyper competitive" |
| Underdog stories | The Express Pass twist gave slower starters a lifeline |
The season also carried the milestone possibility of the first mother-daughter winning team in Amazing Race history — a storyline Keoghan openly rooted for on camera, noting that after 39 seasons, that particular first had never happened.
The host's signature reassurance: "You've already won. Just being here makes you a winner, because you beat out thousands." A useful reminder of how selective the casting process truly is.
Season 39 Viewing Checklist:
- Watch the premiere episode, We're Here to Win
- Track which teams burn their Express Pass early
- Catch the historic Vancouver, Canada leg
- Follow the mother-daughter team's run
- Rewatch the Unpacked after-show for each episode
Season 39 Episode Schedule Reference
Season 39 ran through the spring of 2022 on CBS. Below is a general weekly structure for how the season rolled out after the premiere date.
| Schedule Slot | Details |
|---|---|
| Premiere date | March 30, 2022 |
| Night and time | Wednesdays, 9/8c on CBS |
| Streaming | Paramount+, next-day availability |
| After-show | The Amazing Race 39: Unpacked companion series on YouTube |
| Season finale | Late May 2022, crowning the winning team |
CBS published an official after-show, "The Amazing Race 39: Unpacked," on YouTube for each episode, featuring Phil Keoghan and eliminated teams breaking down strategy — including the Express Pass decisions and the emotional first-leg elimination of Zach and Nate.
FAQ
Q: When was The Amazing Race Season 39 premiere date?
The Amazing Race Season 39 premiered on March 30, 2022, on CBS, with the first episode titled We're Here to Win. Episodes aired weekly on Wednesday nights and streamed on Paramount+.
Q: What was the big twist in Season 39?
For the first time in show history, all 13 teams received an Express Pass at the start of the race. This meant 13 passes were in play simultaneously, forcing strong teams to second-guess when mid-pack rivals might skip a challenge.
Q: Did Season 39 race in Canada?
Yes. Season 39 included the first-ever Canadian leg for the U.S. version, filmed in Vancouver. Canadian fans had requested this for years, and Phil Keoghan confirmed the leg was added in response.
Q: Who was eliminated first in Season 39?
Zach and Nate were the first team eliminated, despite racing hard across the opening leg. Phil Keoghan has said first-leg eliminations are the hardest part of his job, especially for teams who applied many times to get on the show.