You're sitting there, remote in hand, wondering exactly when does Amazing Race begin so you don't miss the starting line. It’s a fair question. Honestly, tracking the schedule for this show has become a bit of a sport in itself lately because CBS loves to shuffle things around.
The short answer? The Amazing Race Season 37 is slated to premiere in the spring of 2026.
Typically, CBS anchors the show in a Wednesday night slot, often following Survivor. This 90-minute "reality powerhouse" block has become the gold standard for the network. But don't just mark your calendar and walk away. There is a whole lot of nuance to how these seasons are filmed and aired that determines if you’re seeing a "fresh" race or one that’s been sitting in the vault for a year.
The Production Gap: Why the Start Date is Tricky
Ever notice how the racers are wearing heavy parkas while you’re sweating in July? That’s because the gap between filming and airing is massive. Season 36, for example, was filmed way back in 2022 but didn't hit screens until 2024. That delay happened because CBS had to scramble during the Hollywood strikes and decided to hold onto finished content.
For the upcoming cycle, production usually kicks off in the late spring or fall. If you’re looking for the exact minute when does Amazing Race begin, you usually have to wait for the official CBS "Upfronts" or mid-season press releases. Historically, spring seasons kick off in early to mid-March, while fall seasons (if they do a double-cycle year) land in late September.
The race doesn't just "start" when the cameras roll. It starts months earlier with a casting process that is, frankly, brutal. Thousands apply. Only a handful of teams make it to that starting line, which is usually a high-energy location like the Hollywood Bowl or a scenic park in a major US city.
Statistics That Define the Race
Let's talk numbers because the scale of this thing is actually kind of insane. We aren't just talking about a vacation with cameras. This is a logistical nightmare managed by Elise Doganieri and Bertram van Munster.
- Total Distance: Most seasons cover over 25,000 to 33,000 miles.
- Country Count: A standard season hits roughly 8 to 10 countries across 4 to 5 continents.
- The Crew: There are usually about 100 to 150 crew members traveling alongside the racers, including "advance teams" who set up the clues days before anyone arrives.
- Race Duration: While it takes months to watch on TV, the actual race is usually finished in a grueling 21 to 25 days.
The diversity of the cast has also shifted significantly. Following a 2020 pledge by CBS to increase diversity in its reality programming, the network mandated that at least 50% of the cast must be Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). This has fundamentally changed the social dynamics of the race, bringing in a wider array of cultural perspectives and backgrounds that previously weren't as prominent in the early 2000s seasons.
The 90-Minute Era: A Blessing or a Curse?
Recently, the show moved to a 90-minute format. This changed the answer to "when does Amazing Race begin" because it pushed the start time of the show's broadcast. Instead of the old 10:00 PM death slot, it now usually starts at 9:30 PM ET/PT.
📖 Related: Who is Really in the Christmas Is Cancelled Cast?
Some fans hate the longer episodes. They think the editing gets "fluffy." Others love it because we finally get to see more of the travel transitions. You know, the actual travel part where people get lost in train stations or argue with taxi drivers over a 50-euro fare. That’s the heart of the show. Without the 90-minute window, a lot of that "travel porn" and logistical chaos gets left on the cutting room floor.
What Usually Happens at the Starting Line?
Phil Keoghan stands there. He does his iconic eyebrow raise. He says "Go!" and then it’s pure chaos.
But there’s a secret to the start. The teams don’t usually know where they are going until they rip open that first yellow envelope. In recent seasons, the show has experimented with "staggered starts" or starting in a foreign city right off the bat to avoid the airport scuffles that defined the early 2000s. Personally, I miss the airport drama. There was something special about seeing a team beg a gate agent to let them on a standby flight to Nairobi.
How to Watch (And Not Get Spoiled)
If you are trying to figure out when does Amazing Race begin so you can stream it, Paramount+ is your home base.
- Live Stream: If you have the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, you can watch it live as it airs on your local CBS affiliate.
- Next-Day: The Essential plan lets you watch it the next morning.
- The Spoilers: Be careful on Reddit or Reality Fan Forum. Because the show films in public, people "spot" the racers. If you see a group of people in bright neon windbreakers running through a plaza in Prague, the internet will know about it six months before the show airs.
The show has survived 36 seasons for a reason. It’s the ultimate "what would I do?" thought experiment. Most of us think we’d be great at navigating a foreign subway, but under the pressure of a $1 million prize and 48 hours without sleep, most people can’t even read a map upside down.
Prepping for the Next Season
If you're waiting for the 2026 premiere, the best thing to do is catch up on the seasons you missed. Season 31 is a personal favorite because it pitted Amazing Race legends against Survivor and Big Brother stars. It was a mess, but a beautiful one.
Watch for the Official Announcement: CBS typically drops the specific premiere date about six to eight weeks before the first episode airs.
Check the Local Listings: If there is a big sports event (like the NFL playoffs or a late-running golf tournament), the Race often gets pushed back. This is the "CBS Special." If you’re recording on a DVR, always add an extra 30 minutes to your recording time or you will miss the Pit Stop mat at the end.
Next Steps for the Superfan:
✨ Don't miss: Thinking Out Loud Song Lyrics: Why Ed Sheeran Almost Quit Music Over Them
To stay ahead of the curve, you should monitor the CBS Press Express website directly. That is where the network first uploads the high-resolution "cast photos" and the specific premiere time slots. Additionally, follow Phil Keoghan on social media; he often posts "on the road" teasers while filming is actually happening, which gives you a roughly six-month countdown to when that footage will actually hit your television screen. If you're feeling brave, you can even check the Global Casting website to see if they are currently accepting auditions for Season 38, as they often cast a year in advance.