- The Amazing Race Season 39 trailer and sneak peek reveal 13 brand-new teams racing for $1 million.
- The race starts in Vancouver, Canada, then crosses to Madrid, Spain, during a two-night premiere.
- The headline twist: every team begins with an Express Pass, with an early-race usage deadline.
- Season 39 premiered September 30, 2026, with part two on October 1 on CBS.
- The route covers 5 continents, 9 countries, 13 cities, and 25,000+ miles.
What the Season 39 Trailer Reveals
The Amazing Race Season 39 trailer and official sneak peek arrived through Paramount's press release announcing the cast, giving fans the first moving look at the new field of racers. The footage confirmed the season's core setup: 13 two-person teams leaving the starting line in Vancouver, Canada, for a global race spanning 5 continents, 9 countries, 13 cities, and more than 25,000 miles.
The trailer material emphasizes three storylines CBS built the premiere around:
- The universal Express Pass twist — all 13 teams hold the advantage at the start, a first-of-its-kind format change for the series.
- The two-night premiere structure — the season opened September 30, 2026, and continued October 1, 2026, with the race moving from Vancouver to Madrid.
- The $1 million grand prize — the destination reward awaiting the first team to cross the final finish line.
The official Season 39 Sneak Peek is linked directly from the Paramount press release announcing the cast. Bookmark the CBS official Amazing Race page for newly released previews as later legs air.
| Trailer Reveal | Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Starting line | Vancouver, Canada | First time the U.S. edition launches from this city |
| Team count | 13 two-person teams | Sets the elimination field at the premiere |
| Grand prize | $1 million | Standard series grand prize |
| Route scale | 5 continents, 9 countries, 13 cities, 25,000+ miles | One of the widest international routes in recent seasons |
| Format twist | Every team starts with an Express Pass | Forces strategic decisions from the opening leg |
Teams Featured in the Season 39 Preview
The trailer and cast announcement introduce a diverse field of returning fan-favorite archetypes and fresh personalities. Official Paramount press materials highlighted several recognizable duos, including soccer stars Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman and brothers Doug and Dylan Matter, whose official cast photos accompanied the announcement.
Each team enters the race with an existing personal relationship — a core format element the preview footage reinforces through its introductions and starting-line moments.
Athlete Duos
- Sports backgrounds
- Competitive drive from day one
- Physical tasks favor them early
Family Pairs
- Siblings, parents, and relatives
- Communication tested under stress
- Emotional storylines for recaps
Friend and Couple Teams
- Pre-existing trust dynamics
- Balanced task-splitting potential
- Alliance-building candidates
The Season 39 cast announcement on Paramount Press Express includes official photos and profiles for all 13 teams, including the Krieger/Lohman and Matter team portraits.
The Express Pass Twist Explained
The single biggest reveal in the Season 39 preview cycle is the season-wide Express Pass twist. Unlike traditional seasons where one team earns the pass, every one of the 13 starting teams begins the race holding one — and each must decide when to spend it before the permitted usage window closes.
| Express Pass Rule | How It Works | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Universal distribution | All 13 teams start with one pass | No single team controls the advantage |
| One-time use | Skips an eligible task, then expires | Irreversible decision per team |
| Usage deadline | Must be used in the opening portion of the season | Prevents hoarding until the finale |
| Best use case | Stuck on a Roadblock or Detour | Escapes a time sink instantly |
| Timing risk | Competing teams may spend theirs earlier | Relative advantage shrinks as passes burn |
Episode 1, titled "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass," confirms the twist immediately shaped the premiere, with at least one team burning its pass during the opening leg.
Assess the Task
When a Roadblock or Detour appears, evaluate whether the task matches your team's strengths before considering the pass.
Check Your Position
Teams near the front can often survive without the pass; teams slipping to the back gain the most from using it.
Track the Deadline
The opening-portion usage window means waiting too long wastes the advantage entirely.
Watch the Field
As rival teams spend their passes, the relative value of holding yours changes leg by leg.
Because Season 39 enforces an early-race deadline, saving the Express Pass deep into the season is not an option. Teams that delay too long lose the advantage outright.
Premiere Route: Vancouver to Madrid
The trailer and premiere information confirm the opening arc of the Season 39 route. The race begins in Vancouver, Canada, before the field crosses the Atlantic to Madrid, Spain, on night two of the premiere, where CBS teases that "a new alliance emerges."
| Leg | Destination | Stage | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere Part 1 | Vancouver, Canada | Season start | 13 teams launch; first Express Pass decisions |
| Premiere Part 2 | Madrid, Spain | International leg | New alliance forms among racers |
| Later legs | Additional destinations | Updated as aired | 9 countries and 13 cities total across the season |
This route table expands as each episode airs. Check the CBS episode guide for newly confirmed destinations after each broadcast.
Schedule and How to Watch
Season 39 joined CBS's fall 2026 lineup with its two-night premiere on September 30 and October 1, 2026. New episodes continue weekly on CBS, with streaming availability through Paramount+ for eligible subscribers.
| Viewing Option | Platform | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Live broadcast | CBS | Weekly episodes during the fall 2026 run |
| On-demand streaming | Paramount+ | Episodes available after broadcast for subscribers |
| Live streaming | Paramount+ with local CBS access | Live viewing in eligible locations |
If you missed the premiere, Paramount+ on-demand access lets you watch "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass" and the Madrid leg before the next episode airs.
Season 39 Watch Checklist:
- Watch the two-night premiere (Sept 30 and Oct 1, 2026)
- Review all 13 team profiles from the cast announcement
- Track Express Pass usage after each leg
- Follow new destinations added to the route
- Check eliminations and placements weekly
FAQ
Q: When did The Amazing Race Season 39 premiere?
The Amazing Race Season 39 premiered with a two-night event on September 30 and October 1, 2026, on CBS, starting in Vancouver and continuing in Madrid.
Q: What is the major twist shown in the Season 39 trailer?
Every one of the 13 starting teams begins the race with an Express Pass, which must be used within an early-race deadline or it expires. Episode 1's title, 'Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass,' confirms the twist shaped the premiere immediately.
Q: How many teams and countries are featured in Season 39?
Season 39 features 13 two-person teams racing across 5 continents, 9 countries, and 13 cities over more than 25,000 miles for a $1 million grand prize.
Q: Where can I watch the Season 39 sneak peek and episodes?
The official sneak peek is linked through the Paramount Press Express cast announcement, and full episodes air weekly on CBS with streaming options through Paramount+.