- The Amazing Race Season 39 elimination order begins with Zach and Nate, eliminated first in Vancouver.
- 13 teams started the race, each holding one Express Pass for the first time in show history.
- Vancouver, Canada hosted a race leg after years of fan requests.
- The Express Pass twist reshuffled team placements and shook up early eliminations.
- This guide breaks down each elimination and the strategy behind surviving legs.
Season 39 Elimination Order Overview
Season 39 of The Amazing Race introduced a brand-new strategic layer that directly affected the elimination order: for the first time in the show's history, all 13 teams received an Express Pass at the start of the race. Host Phil Keoghan confirmed that every team could choose when to deploy their pass, turning each leg into a guessing game about what rival teams might do.
Video Highlights:
- All 13 teams held an Express Pass simultaneously for the first time ever
- Vancouver hosted a Canadian leg after years of fan demand
- Brothers Zach and Nate became the first team eliminated
- Phil Keoghan described the twist as a genuine game changer
The opening leg set the tone for the entire elimination order. Zach and Nate raced across the city and pushed hard, but still landed last on the first Pit Stop mat, making them the first team eliminated from Season 39.
| Leg | Location | Eliminated Team | Team Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg 1 | Vancouver, Canada | Zach and Nate | Brothers |
| Leg 2 | Season 39 route | Second team out | Varies by episode |
| Leg 3 | Season 39 route | Third team out | Varies by episode |
| Final Legs | Finale city | Winning team crowned | Final 3 |
Elimination details are revealed episode by episode. This guide follows the season as it airs, so check back after each episode for updated results.
How the Express Pass Changed the Elimination Order
The Express Pass twist is the single biggest factor shaping this season's eliminations. In past seasons, only one or two passes existed, and stronger teams typically grabbed them early. Giving every team a pass changed the math entirely.
Early Pass Use
- Burn it on Leg 1 to avoid first elimination
- Gain momentum going forward
- Best for weaker teams
Hold the Pass
- Treat it like an insurance card
- Save it for a difficult Roadblock
- Risky if you fall behind early
Strategic Mind Games
- Strong teams second-guess mid-pack moves
- Passes reorder leg outcomes
- Weak early legs become survivable
Phil Keoghan noted that traditionally, teams performing well in Leg 1 tend to keep performing well. The universal Express Pass disrupted that pattern, giving slower starters a way to claw back into the race and changing the expected elimination order.
| Strategy | Best For | Risk Level | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use pass in Leg 1 | Teams fearing early elimination | Low | Safe passage, spent early |
| Hold pass long-term | Confident, athletic teams | Medium | Lifeline during a bad leg |
| Use on a Roadblock | Teams weak at specific tasks | Medium | Skips a hard challenge |
| Use on a Detour | Teams behind at Detour choice | High | Can leapfrog several teams |
Watch for teams announcing "We'd like to use our Express Pass" at challenge sites. Each use reshuffles the standings and often predicts who lands on the mat last.
How Eliminations Work: Step-by-Step
Understanding the mechanics behind each elimination helps you follow the season's results with context.
Read the Clue
Teams rip open envelopes containing route info, Detours, and Roadblocks. Every envelope can contain a surprise that shifts placements.
Complete the Challenges
Teams must finish the leg's Detour and Roadblock. An Express Pass can skip one task, but only once per team for the whole season.
Race to the Pit Stop
Placement is determined by check-in order at the mat with Phil Keoghan, not by challenge performance alone.
The Mat Verdict
The last team to check in is usually eliminated. Phil delivers the news directly, as he did to Zach and Nate in Vancouver.
Some seasons include non-elimination legs where the last-place team survives but faces a Speed Bump penalty in the next leg. Track these carefully when mapping the elimination order.
First Team Out: Zach and Nate
Leg 1 in Vancouver delivered the season's first heartbreak. As Phil Keoghan acknowledged, eliminating the first team is the hardest part of his job, especially after teams survive multiple casting calls and beat out thousands of applicants just to reach the starting line.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Eliminated team | Zach and Nate |
| Relationship | Brothers |
| Eliminated on | Leg 1, Vancouver, Canada |
| Elimination cause | Last team to arrive at the Pit Stop |
| Their attitude | Felt blessed to share the experience, finished strong |
Zach and Nate's exit came just hours after the race began, a brutal outcome after years of anticipation. Their positive takeaway, staying grateful for the shared experience, made them a memorable first elimination despite the short run.
First-leg eliminations often strike teams that struggle with navigation or task-swapping speed rather than raw fitness. Zach and Nate fought until the mat, but the clock was unforgiving.
The Vancouver Leg and Season 39 Route
Vancouver earned its spot on the Season 39 route thanks to persistent Canadian fans. A Canadian version of the show has run successfully for years, and viewers repeatedly asked Phil Keoghan to bring the American race north.
| Route Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Host city | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Why chosen | Fan demand and a successful Canadian edition |
| Conditions | Spectacular weather, famously green scenery |
| Memorable moment | Racers flipping and taking in the views |
The Vancouver leg showcased the city at its best, with racers pausing between tasks to absorb the mountain-and-water backdrop. Expect the rest of the Season 39 route to mix major international cities with physical outdoor challenges.
After each episode airs on CBS, cross-check the elimination results with this guide to keep the full Season 39 elimination order current through the finale.
Tracking the Season: Fan Checklist
Elimination Order Tracking Goals:
- Record the eliminated team after every leg
- Note which leg each team used their Express Pass
- Track non-elimination legs and Speed Bump penalties
- Flag the Final 3 teams before the finale
- Update the full elimination order after each episode
Because every team holds an Express Pass, knowing who has used theirs helps predict who is vulnerable in the next leg. A spent pass means no safety net.
FAQ
Q: Who was eliminated first on The Amazing Race Season 39?
Brothers Zach and Nate were the first team eliminated. They finished last on Leg 1 in Vancouver, Canada, checking in at the Pit Stop just hours after the race began.
Q: How does the Season 39 elimination order differ from past seasons?
For the first time, all 13 teams received an Express Pass at the start. This let weaker early teams skip a task to catch up, reshuffling leg outcomes and making the elimination order less predictable.
Q: When should a team use their Express Pass?
Teams can burn it early on Leg 1 to avoid being the first eliminated, or hold it like an insurance card for a difficult Roadblock or Detour later. Both approaches carry trade-offs in risk and momentum.
Q: Why did Season 39 visit Vancouver?
Canadian fans of the show asked Phil Keoghan for years to bring the race to Canada, aided by the success of the Canadian version of The Amazing Race. Vancouver delivered strong weather and scenery for the leg.