CBS has officially launched Season 39 of its Emmy-winning reality competition series, The Amazing Race, with a special two-night premiere. The long-running globetrotting show, hosted and executive produced by Phil Keoghan, debuted on Wednesday, September 30, and continued on Thursday, October 1, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
After featuring a reality-crossover lineup in the previous season, Season 39 marks a return to a traditional roster composed entirely of everyday civilian duos. Thirteen teams are squaring off across the globe for the coveted $1 million grand prize, facing intense international terrain, grueling physical tasks, and a brand-new strategic twist.
The Historic All-Express Pass Twist
Right out of the gate at the starting line in Vancouver, Canada, host Phil Keoghan delivered a major surprise to the competitors: every single team received an Express Pass. This marks the first time in the history of The Amazing Race that 13 Express Passes have been put into play simultaneously.
Unlike previous seasons where the advantage was earned by winning specific legs, every pair now holds the power to skip a single task. However, a strict rule applies: all passes must be played by the end of the sixth leg. Teams cannot hoard their advantages, forcing racers into tactical showdowns. If two trailing pairs arrive at a Detour at the same time, the first to burn an Express Pass forces their rivals to complete the challenge manually, adding a high-stakes strategic bottleneck to the opening weeks of the competition.
Global Route and Extraordinary Challenges
Over the course of the season, the 13 competing duos will cover more than 25,000 miles across five continents, nine countries, and 13 cities. The international route introduces a mix of brand-new destinations-including the U.S. version’s very first visit to Albania-and classic adventure checkpoints.
The journey kicked off immediately with high-adrenaline obstacles in Vancouver, where contestants faced a terrifying 200-foot jump off the catwalk at BC Stadium. Future episodes promise equally demanding tests, including camel trekking in Morocco and paramotor flying through the skies of Laos.
Meet the 13 Teams Competing in Season 39
The cast features a diverse mix of family members, elite athletes, friends, and romantic partners. The full roster of competing teams includes:
- Ali Krieger & Joanna Lohman: Two-time World Cup champion soccer player Ali Krieger and former professional soccer player Joanna Lohman, competing as a team of moms and pro athletes.
- Ann-Marie Tejcek & Riley Tejcek: A mother-and-daughter duo consisting of healthcare executive Ann-Marie and Marine officer Riley.
- Anuar Tager & Andrea Tager Ballesca: Developer Anuar Tager and his medical student daughter, Andrea, hailing from Houston, Texas.
- Cody Langlois & Jaime Tribo: Sibling duo Cody Langlois, a civil engineer, and Jaime Tribo, a dietitian.
- Conner Wilson & Garrett McGuire: Childhood friends Conner Wilson (media producer) and Garrett McGuire (engineer) from California.
- Dafina Dunmore & Saran Dunmore: Chicago-based sisters and best friends Dafina (bond analyst and DJ) and Saran (personal trainer).
- Daisha Wilks & Dalton Hamby: Videographers and dating couple from Alabama.
- Doug Matter & Dylan Matter: Retired fire chief Doug and his college student grandson, Dylan, representing a unique 54-year age gap.
- Erin Taylor & Javi Vintimilla: Married couple Erin Taylor (HR head) and Javi Vintimilla (pilot) from Florida.
- Jody Rebhun & Jenn Naso: Best friends and moms Jody Rebhun (history teacher) and Jenn Naso (forensic scientist).
- Katie & Charlotte Schultz: Esthetician sisters from Murray, Kentucky.
- Michelle & Matthew Patterson: Married parents Michelle (auto body shop owner and real estate agent) and Matthew (business operations director) from New Jersey.
- Zach & Nate Johnson: Brothers Zach Johnson (car salesman) and Nate Johnson (sales director) from Dallas, Texas.
Schedule and Broadcast Information
Following its special premiere week on Wednesday and Thursday nights, The Amazing Race Season 39 will settle into its regular weekly timeslot on Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, with simultaneous streaming and on-demand access available on Paramount+.
