The wait is basically a rite of passage for fans of Phil Keoghan and those iconic yellow envelopes. Honestly, if you're asking when is the next season of Amazing Race, you’ve probably already binged the latest season and are feeling that specific itch for global chaos and frantic navigation. CBS has been a bit of a tease lately. While we used to get two seasons a year like clockwork, the scheduling has shifted into a more deliberate, high-stakes rhythm.
Season 37 is happening. That’s the good news. The bad news? You’ll need a little more patience than a team stuck at a roadblock in downtown Tokyo.
The Release Window for Season 37
CBS hasn't dropped a specific date yet, but we can look at the patterns. Usually, The Amazing Race anchors the Wednesday night block. Based on the current production cycles and the way CBS has laid out its 2025-2026 schedule, we are looking at a likely premiere in late 2025 or early 2026.
Why the wait?
Well, the network has been prioritizing 90-minute episodes. Fans loved the extra depth in Season 35 and 36. It gives us more time to see the "Travel Gods" mess with people's plans. But producing 90 minutes of high-octane footage for every single episode takes significantly longer in the edit suite. Producers Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri have been vocal about the fact that they don't want to rush the product if it means losing those character-driven moments that make the show more than just a sprint through an airport.
Filming Secrets and What’s Already Happened
Believe it or not, Season 37 has likely already finished filming. The show tends to film months, sometimes even a year, in advance. For example, Season 36 was actually filmed way back in 2022 but sat on a shelf because of the writers' strike and scheduling shifts. It was a "backup" season that ended up being a massive hit.
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For the upcoming season, rumors from reality TV enthusiasts and "sightings" (yes, people actually track the yellow flags in real-time) suggest the route might finally head back to some under-visited corners of the globe. We're talking about potential stops in South America and possibly Africa.
The COVID-Era Hangover is Over
One thing to get excited about: the charter planes are gone. During the height of the pandemic, the show used a private 757 to keep contestants safe. It was necessary but, let's be real, it killed some of the drama. The "airport scramble" is the soul of the show. Standing in line at 3:00 AM at a Lufthansa desk in Frankfurt while trying to outmaneuver a rival team is where the best TV happens.
Season 37 is expected to fully lean back into commercial travel.
This means more missed connections. More language barriers. More "please, sir, can I use your cell phone?" moments. It’s the raw, unscripted stuff that makes us wonder when is the next season of Amazing Race every time a finale ends.
Who is Racing Next?
The casting calls went out months ago. While we don't have the official roster—CBS guards those names like the crown jewels—expect the usual mix. You'll have the former pro athletes, the "parent and child" dynamic that always ends in tears by leg three, and the quirky best friends who everyone underestimates.
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Diversity has become a huge cornerstone of the show recently. Following CBS’s 2020 pledge to ensure at least 50% of reality casts are people of color, the show has seen a massive surge in representation.
- Season 33: 55% BIPOC cast.
- Season 34: 60% BIPOC cast.
- Season 35: 50% BIPOC cast.
This isn't just a statistic; it has fundamentally changed the social dynamics of the race. We’re seeing different cultural perspectives on how to navigate the world, which is arguably more interesting than watching two gym bros shout at a taxi driver.
The 90-Minute Format: Here to Stay?
There is a huge debate in the fandom about episode length. Some people think 60 minutes was punchier. They miss the breakneck speed. But the data shows that the 90-minute episodes—which usually air alongside Survivor—have actually boosted the show's ratings in the 18-49 demographic.
It allows for "breathing room." We get to see the teams actually eat, argue in the hotels, and struggle with the logistics of the race. If you're a hardcore fan, you want that extra 30 minutes. It’s more content. More Phil. More "Philiminations."
Why the Schedule Moves Around
Television is a weird business. CBS uses The Amazing Race as a "utility player." If a new sitcom fails or a drama gets canceled, they slide the Race into that slot because they know the audience is loyal. We are the fans who will find the show no matter what night it’s on. This is why the answer to when is the next season of Amazing Race can feel like a moving target.
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What to Do While You Wait
If the 2025/2026 wait feels too long, there are ways to get your fix.
First, go back and watch the "lost" seasons. Season 36 was unique because it used the older COVID protocols (charter planes), but the cast was incredible. If you haven't seen the international versions, you're missing out. The Amazing Race Australia and The Amazing Race Canada are legendary. Sometimes they are even more brutal than the American version.
Also, keep an eye on Phil Keoghan’s social media. He’s the ultimate hype man. He often drops subtle hints about where he is in the world, which usually aligns with the filming schedule.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Fan
Don't just sit around wondering about the premiere. Here is how you stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the CBS Press Express: This is where the network officially drops premiere dates first. It usually happens about 6-8 weeks before the first episode airs.
- Follow the Sightings: Check out forums like Reality Fan Forum. They have "detectives" who track the production in real-time. If you want spoilers on locations, that's the place to go.
- Audit Your Streaming: Make sure you have Paramount+. CBS has been known to drop "extended cut" scenes or digital-only extras that don't make the broadcast.
- Apply! Seriously. If you're tired of watching from the couch, the casting site is almost always accepting video submissions for future cycles.
The race is a massive logistical machine. Moving 100+ crew members and a dozen teams across borders is a nightmare in the best of times. But Season 37 is coming, and based on the chatter, it’s going to be a return to the classic, grueling, commercial-flight-heavy format we all fell in love with twenty years ago. Stay tuned to the Wednesday night lineup as we move into the next TV season.