- The Amazing Race Season 39 premiere date and time: Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at 10/9c on CBS
- Time slot: 10:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM CT, right after Survivor
- Cast: 13 teams, including USWNT stars Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax
- Season twist: Every team received an Express Pass for the first time in show history
- Streaming: Episodes available live and on demand on Paramount+ (Source: CBS)
The Amazing Race Season 39 Premiere Date and Time Explained
The Amazing Race Season 39 premiere date and time is one of the most searched facts among racing fans planning their viewing schedule. Season 39 debuted on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at 10/9c on CBS, immediately following a new episode of Survivor. This placement gave the long-running reality competition a strong lead-in audience and marked the season's transition into the regular CBS spring lineup.
The season opener, titled "We're Getting Out of This Country," kicked off in London, England, where 13 teams began their race around the world for the one-million-dollar grand prize. Here is the full premiere breakdown:
| Premiere Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Premiere date | Wednesday, March 30, 2022 |
| Premiere time | 10:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM CT |
| Network | CBS |
| Lead-in show | Survivor season 42 |
| Starting line | London, England |
| Number of teams | 13 two-person teams |
| Grand prize | $1,000,000 |
Video Highlights:
- Season 39 gave all 13 teams an Express Pass for the first time ever
- Episode 1, "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass," showed one team burning the advantage immediately
- Episode 2, "Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?," sent racers to Madrid, Spain
- A new alliance formed in Madrid, shifting team dynamics
- Cast includes USWNT teammates, married parents, and a grandfather-grandson duo
After the premiere, the series continued in the same Wednesday 10/9c slot for the remainder of its run, giving fans a consistent weekly appointment with the race.
If you missed the live broadcast, episodes stream on Paramount+ the day after airing, and full seasons remain available on demand for subscribers.
Season 39 Cast: The 13 Teams at the Starting Line
Season 39 featured one of the most talked-about casts in recent memory. The lineup of 13 two-person teams blended athletes, family duos, and workplace partners, each chasing the million-dollar prize.
| Team | Relationship | Notable Background |
|---|---|---|
| Ali Krieger & Johanna Lomax | Former USWNT teammates | Two-time World Cup champion soccer players |
| Michelle & Matthew | Married parents | Family strategy and steady pacing |
| Doug & Dylan | Grandfather and grandson | Multi-generational fan favorites |
| Remaining 10 teams | Friends, relatives, coworkers | Mixed backgrounds from across the US |
Athlete Teams
- Elite competitiveness
- Physical task advantage
- High media attention
Family Teams
- Strong communication
- Emotional bonds under pressure
- Steady, risk-averse racing
Underdog Duos
- Less preseason hype
- Surprise potential
- Alliance-friendly positioning
The USWNT pairing of Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax brought mainstream sports attention to Season 39, drawing viewers who normally follow soccer rather than reality TV.
The Express Pass Twist: How It Shaped the Season
Season 39 introduced the biggest format change in the show's recent history: for the first time, all 13 teams received an Express Pass at the start of the race. Each pass allows a team to skip a single task, but every team was required to use it before the end of Leg 6.
The results were immediate and dramatic. The premiere's title, "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass," confirmed that at least one team burned their pass in the very first leg, and by Episode 2 in Madrid, the strategic regret was already on display.
| Express Pass Decision | Risk Level | Potential Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Use in Leg 1-2 | High | Early safety, no cushion for later struggles |
| Use in Leg 3-4 | Moderate | Balanced timing, mid-race security |
| Hold until Leg 5-6 | Moderate | Maximum info, forced use under pressure |
| Never use (expired) | Very high | Complete waste of the advantage |
Receive the Pass
Every team starts the race holding an Express Pass, making it a universal rather than earned advantage.
Assess the Field
Teams watch rivals to gauge whether early pass use is creating separations in the pack.
Choose the Moment
A skipped Detour or Roadblock can rescue a team from a bad task match, but timing is everything.
Beat the Leg 6 Deadline
Any team failing to play the pass by the end of Leg 6 forfeits it entirely, turning strategy into a countdown.
Using an Express Pass too early leaves a team exposed in later legs. The Madrid episodes showed exactly how quickly early decisions can turn into regret when the race tightens.
Season 39 Episode Schedule and Viewing Guide
Following the premiere, Season 39 settled into a predictable weekly rhythm on CBS. Here is how the early season shaped up:
| Episode | Air Date (2022) | Title | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 30 | "We're Getting Out of This Country" | London, England |
| 2 | April 6 | "Should've Been a Cowboy" | Continuing the race |
| 3 | April 13 | "Everybody's a Rat" | Continuing the race |
| 4+ | Weekly Wednesdays | Varies | New international legs |
Note that Episode 2's Madrid leg and its tomato-themed title, "Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?," became a fan-discussion highlight, tied directly to the Express Pass fallout and a newly formed alliance among teams.
Season 39 Viewing Checklist:
- Watch the London premiere to see the Express Pass rules explained
- Catch the Madrid episode for the alliance formation
- Track which teams have used their Express Pass by Leg 6
- Follow eliminations weekly on CBS or Paramount+
Setting a weekly reminder for Wednesday 10/9c, or enabling Paramount+ notifications, keeps you current on eliminations and Express Pass drama all season long.
Early Season Destinations and Race Geography
Season 39's route took teams across multiple continents early in the race, with London and Madrid anchoring the opening legs. The European start set a fast pace and gave fans iconic challenge settings.
| Leg | Destination | Region | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London, England | Europe | Starting line and first elimination |
| 2 | Madrid, Spain | Europe | New alliance, tomato-themed task |
| Later legs | Multiple continents | Global | Progressive eliminations toward the finale |
A European opening double-leg is a classic Amazing Race structure, letting teams establish dynamics before long-haul flights reshuffle the pack.
FAQ
Q: What was The Amazing Race Season 39 premiere date and time?
The Amazing Race Season 39 premiered on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at 10/9c on CBS, airing immediately after Survivor in the 10:00 PM ET time slot.
Q: Where can I watch The Amazing Race Season 39 episodes?
Episodes aired live on CBS and are available to stream on Paramount+ on demand, which remains the primary official streaming home for the season.
Q: What was the big twist in Season 39?
For the first time in the show's history, all 13 teams received an Express Pass at the start of the race, with each team required to use it before the end of Leg 6.
Q: Who are the most notable Season 39 cast members?
Former USWNT teammates Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax drew the most attention, alongside married parents Michelle and Matthew and the grandfather-grandson duo Doug and Dylan.