The Amazing Race 39

The Amazing Race 39
Season 39
Presented byPhil Keoghan
No. of teams13
No. of legs12
Distance traveled25,000 mi (40,000 km)
Release
Original networkCBS
Additional information
Filming datesSeptember 22 (2025-09-22) –
October 17, 2025 (2025-10-17)
Series chronology

The Amazing Race 39 is the thirty-ninth season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it features thirteen teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world to win US$1,000,000. Filming took place from September 22 to October 17, 2025. This season visited five continents and nine countries, traveling approximately 25,000 miles (40,000 km) during twelve legs. Starting in Vancouver, racers traveled through Canada, Spain, Morocco, Albania, Sri Lanka, Laos, Australia, and New Zealand, before returning to the United States and finishing in Honolulu. New elements introduced this season include every team receiving an Express Pass at the start of the race. The season is set to premiere on CBS on September 30, 2026.

Production

Development and filming

After flying into Vancouver, teams assembled at Jack Poole Plaza by the 2010 Winter Olympics cauldron to begin The Amazing Race 39.

Filming for this season began on September 22, 2025, in Vancouver, Canada.[1][2] In a new twist during this leg, each team was given an Express Pass that they could through the sixth leg.[3] A leg was filmed in Vang Vieng, Laos, on October 11, 2025.[4] Keoghan and production crews were sighted filming in Melbourne, Australia, on October 13, 2025.[5] Teams then arrived in Melbourne on the following day.[6][7] Teams left Melbourne on October 15, 2025, with the following leg taking place in Christchurch, New Zealand, on October 16.[8][9][10] This marks the show's first visit to Oceania since season 22 as well as the first visit to Africa since season 31.[8] The final leg was filmed on October 17, 2025, in Honolulu.[11] This season also marks the first time that the show filmed in Albania and the first time that the show did not film within the contiguous United States.[11]

When asked about this season in an interview with Parade following the season 38 finale, Keoghan stated "They say 'luck is the residue of design', and Season 39 is a perfect example of that. Captivating cast, some new twists which gave us the desired results of changing things up, great weather in destinations where it really made a difference, some unpredictable challenge moments and a special episode I took particular interest in ended with a special personal moment in my life."[12]

Casting

Casting for this season began on January 13, 2025, and closed on May 2, 2025.[13][14] This season was the first since season 33 to not feature the mandatory 50% BIPOC casting diversity initiative that began in late 2020 following the decision by CBS to rollback its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in April 2025.[15] Despite the change, casting director Jesse Tannenbaum stated, "Well, from my perspective, nothing's changed. I've always, in the back of my mind, felt we needed more diversity on these shows...I'm still shooting for having a really diverse cast because I think everybody needs to be represented."[16]

Cast

Ali Krieger
Joanna Lohman

The cast was officially announced on August 12, 2026.[17]

Contestants Age Relationship Hometown Status
Ali Krieger 42 Pro Athletes & Moms Montclair, New Jersey Participating
Joanna Lohman 44 Silver Spring, Maryland
Ann-Marie Tejcek 56 Mother & Daughter Carmel, Indiana Participating
Riley Tejcek 29 San Diego, California
Anuar Tager 58 Father & Daughter Houston, Texas Participating
Andrea Tager Ballesca 25
Cody Langlois 35 Siblings Los Angeles, California Participating
Jaime Tribo 33 Tinley Park, Illinois
Conner Wilson 27 Childhood Friends Loomis, California Participating
Garrett McGuire 27 Rocklin, California
Dafina Dunmore 52 Sisters Chicago, Illinois Participating
Saran Dunmore 51
Daisha Wilks 28 Dating Flat Rock, Alabama Participating
Dalton Hamby 27 Jacksonville, Alabama
Doug Matter 73 Grandfather & Grandson San Diego, California Participating
Dylan Matter 19
Erin Taylor 28 Married Fort Lauderdale, Florida Participating
Javi Vintimilla 30
Jody Rebhun 44 Best Friends & Moms Branford, Connecticut Participating
Jenn Naso 44 Larchmont, New York
Katie Schultz 26 Sisters Murray, Kentucky Participating
Charlotte Schultz 20
Michelle Rozalski Patterson 31 Married Parents Rutherford, New Jersey Participating
Matthew Patterson 36
Zach Johnson 30 Brothers Dallas, Texas Participating
Nate Johnson 27

Release

Broadcast

On January 22, 2026, CBS announced that the season would air in the 2026–27 television season.[18] On April 11, CBS announced that the season would air in the fall of 2026 in the Wednesday 9:30 pm time slot following Survivor 51.[19] On July 15, Entertainment Tonight revealed that the season's premiere date would be September 30, 2026.[20] This premiere date was reiterated when CBS revealed its fall premieres on July 27 with the second episode airing on October 1 following the finale of Big Brother 28 before returning to its usual Wednesday slot.[21]

Marketing

As part of the promotion for this season, CBS invited influencers to test out challenges from the first leg.[22]

Results

The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order.

  • A red placement with a dagger (†) indicates that the team was eliminated.
  • A purple ε indicates that the team used an Express Pass on that leg to bypass one of their tasks.
Team placement (by leg)
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Ali & Joanna
Ann-Marie & Riley
Anuar & Andrea
Cody & Jaime
Conner & Garrett
Dafina & Saran
Daisha & Dalton
Doug & Dylan
Erin & Javi
Jody & Jenn
Katie & Charlotte
Michelle & Matthew
Zach & Nate

Race summary

Destinations Air travel    Rail travel    Water travel    Bus travel
Helicopter travel    Bicycle travel    Gondola travel
Route Markers Detour    Roadblock    Fast Forward    Express Pass
   U-Turn    Speed Bump    Pit Stop

Leg 1 (Canada)

  • Episode 1 (September 30, 2026)
Locations

Future legs

References

  1. ↑ "'The Amazing Race's Phil Keoghan Dream-Casts Celebrity Season With Surprising Picks! (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Chai, Daniel (September 24, 2025). "'Amazing Race' set for Vancouver debut at an iconic waterfront spot". Daily Hive. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  3. ↑ Schneider, Michael (August 12, 2026). "'The Amazing Race' Reveals Season 39 Contestants; New Twists Include a Record 13 Express Passes and First-Ever Trip to Albania". Variety. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Air Ambulance Standby for the Amazing Race Shoot in Vang Vieng". Laos Assistance. October 19, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  5. ↑ Knox, David (October 13, 2025). "The Amazing Race (US) filming in Melbourne". TV Tonight. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Guertin, Lachlan (October 14, 2025). "Detail in photo of Melbourne's iconic Hosier Lane reveals US series filming in Australia". Yahoo! Lifestyle. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Knox, David (October 14, 2025). "The Amazing Race (US) makes a Pit Stop in Melbourne". TV Tonight. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Williams, Elise (October 16, 2025). "Amazing Race film crew spotted in Christchurch". The Press. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  9. 1 2 "The Amazing Race was spotted filming in Christchurch". Stuff. October 16, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Media Insider: Simon Dallow preparing to step down as TVNZ 6pm newsreader; North & South magazine's battle; The Amazing Race comes to NZ; Opinion: BSA goes rogue – is this a deliberate strategy?". The New Zealand Herald. October 16, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Dehnart, Andy (October 19, 2025). "Amazing Race 39's route, teams, and spoilers (if you want them)". reality blurred. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  12. ↑ Bloom, Mike (December 12, 2025). "Phil Keoghan Teases New Twists and a 'Special Personal Moment' Coming to 'The Amazing Race' (Exclusive)". Parade. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  13. ↑ Dehnart, Andy (January 6, 2025). "Good news for Amazing Race's future, and an update on Survivor casting". reality blurred. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  14. ↑ @alexstinergirl; (December 19, 2024). "Another year of casting in the books" – via Instagram.
  15. ↑ Bloom, Mike (August 21, 2025). "'Survivor,' 'Big Brother' and 'Amazing Race' Casting Director Responds to Diversity Initiative News: 'Nothing's Changed'". Parade. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  16. ↑ Rice, Lynette (August 21, 2025). "Emmy Nominees In Reality Casting Sound Off On Talent Pool & Background Checks: "We Have Awful Keywords. We Google People's Names With Them"". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  17. 1 2 Bloom, Mike (August 12, 2026). "Meet 'The Amazing Race 39' Cast — And Find Out the First Game-Changing Twist". Parade. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  18. ↑ Otterson, Joe (January 22, 2026). "'Matlock,' 'NCIS', 'Tracker,' 'Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage,' Among 10 Shows Renewed at CBS". Variety. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  19. ↑ Schneider, Michael (April 11, 2026). "CBS Reveals Fall 2026 Schedule: 'Matlock,' 'Ghosts' Held for Midseason as Three New Series Set Premieres". Variety. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Julie Chen Wants to Play 'Big Brother' With This SURPRISING Celeb Spilling the E-Tea". ET Online. July 15, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  21. ↑ "CBS ANNOUNCES FALL PRIMETIME PREMIERE DATES FOR THE 2026-2027 SEASON" (Press release). Paramount Press Express. CBS Productions. July 27, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  22. ↑ Rob Cesternino (September 19, 2025). "Survivor Influencer Experience Exit Interview". Rob Has a Podcast (Podcast). Event occurs at 14:19. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
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