So, you're probably sitting there wondering why your Wednesday nights feel a little empty lately. We just came off a pretty wild Season 38 that wrapped up in December 2025, and naturally, the first thing any fan does is check the calendar for the next batch of clues and frantic airport sprints.
Honestly, the schedule for 2026 is looking a bit different than what we’ve gotten used to over the last couple of years. If you were hoping for a spring premiere to pair with your morning coffee, I've got some news that might sting a little.
When Does the New Season of Amazing Race Start in 2026?
The short answer? You’re going to need some patience. Unlike 2025, where we actually got two seasons in a single calendar year—Season 37 in the spring and Season 38 in the fall—CBS is changing lanes for the first half of 2026.
The Amazing Race Season 39 is currently expected to premiere in the Fall of 2026.
Why the massive gap? It basically comes down to a new show taking the "Survivor" buddy slot. CBS is launching a new culinary competition called America’s Culinary Cup (starring Padma Lakshmi), and that show is officially moving into the 9:30 PM Wednesday night slot following Survivor 50 this spring. Since CBS usually treats The Amazing Race as its go-to utility player to fill schedule holes, they’ve decided to keep Season 39 in their back pocket until the next TV cycle begins in September.
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It’s kinda frustrating, I know. Especially since the season has already been filmed.
What We Actually Know About Season 39
Even though the premiere is months away, the "spoiler" community and production leaks have given us a massive head start on what to expect. Phil Keoghan has been dropping hints that this season is a "perfect example" of luck and design coming together.
Here is the breakdown of what's coming:
- Filming Dates: The crew was out there from September 22 to October 17, 2025.
- The Route: This is the big one. After Season 38 stayed strictly in Europe (which felt a bit repetitive for some), Season 39 is going global again. They hit five continents and nine countries.
- The Locations: We’re looking at starts in Vancouver, Canada, then moving through Spain, Morocco, Albania (a first for the show!), Sri Lanka, Laos, Australia, and New Zealand. It ends in Honolulu.
- The Cast: Expect 13 new teams. After the "all-Big Brother" cast of Season 38, production is returning to regular everyday people with pre-existing relationships.
Interestingly, Season 39 is the first since the pandemic era to move away from the mandatory 50% BIPOC casting diversity initiative that CBS implemented in 2020. However, casting director Jesse Tannenbaum has gone on record saying his philosophy hasn't really changed—he’s still aiming for a cast that looks like the real world, regardless of the formal policy shifts at the network level.
Why the Delay Might Actually Be a Good Thing
Look, nobody likes waiting. But there’s a silver lining here.
By pushing the premiere to the Fall of 2026, CBS is giving the editors more time to breathe. We’ve seen in the past that when seasons are rushed to air, the pacing can feel off. With Season 39 already "in the can," they have nearly a year to polish the 90-minute episodes.
Also, it means the show isn't competing for attention with a landmark season of Survivor. Survivor 50 is going to be a monster in the ratings this spring, and The Amazing Race might have just been overshadowed. By waiting until the fall, the Race gets to be the main event again.
Where to Get Your Fix in the Meantime
If you absolutely can't wait until September 2026, you aren't totally out of luck. There are a few things you can do to fill the void:
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- International Versions: The Amazing Race Australia and The Amazing Race Canada have been putting out some incredible content lately. Honestly, some fans argue the Canadian version has better challenges than the US one these days.
- Paramount+ Rewatch: All 38 seasons are sitting there. If you haven't seen the "Old School" seasons (Seasons 1 through 7), do yourself a favor and go back. The lack of smartphones and the raw chaos of 2002-era travel is a completely different vibe.
- The Casting Loop: If you're more of a "doer" than a "viewer," casting for Season 40 usually ramps up around the time a new season is announced. Keep an eye on the official CBS casting site if you’ve ever dreamed of being the person yelling at a taxi driver in a foreign language.
Summary of the 2026 Outlook
Basically, the schedule is firming up. We are looking at a Wednesday night return in September 2026, likely staying in that 90-minute format we've come to love.
The wait is long, but the route sounds like a return to form. Moving from the mountains of Albania to the streets of Melbourne is exactly what the show needs to feel "amazing" again. Keep your passports ready, even if they're just staying in your nightstand for a few more months.
Keep an eye on the official CBS upfronts in May 2026. That is when we’ll get the specific premiere date and likely the first teaser trailer featuring the new teams. Until then, you've got plenty of time to catch up on the seasons you missed.