The iconic, Emmy-winning globe-trotting reality competition is back! Following a massive season of surprises, The Amazing Race is set to thrill fans again with its highly anticipated 38th season, which officially premiered in the Fall of 2025. This installment promises a high-octane blend of international travel, demanding challenges, and a captivating cast twist that has injected new life into the perennial favorite.
The Big Brother Takeover: A Crossover Season Like No Other
Season 38 is poised to be one of the most talked-about in years, thanks to a radical and exciting casting decision: the entire field of thirteen teams is comprised of former contestants from CBS’s other flagship reality show, Big Brother, paired with a loved one.
Host Phil Keoghan highlighted that this is the first time every single team has had a pre-existing connection to reality TV, immediately setting the stage for complex social dynamics right from the starting line. These racers are not novices to competition; they are seasoned strategists, familiar with alliances, blindsides, and the pressure of being watched 24/7. The transition from the isolated Big Brother house to the unpredictable global race tests their strategic minds against the elements and the logistics of international travel.
The cast features a diverse mix of Big Brother alumni spanning multiple seasons, including former winners, fan favorites, and memorable rivals, now forced to rely on their partners' navigational and physical skills in a race for the coveted $1 million prize. Old rivalries are expected to flare up, and new alliances forged in the Race’s stressful environment could be the key to avoiding elimination.
A European Adventure: Destinations Revealed and Challenges Ahead
While recent seasons have been limited in their global reach, Season 38 delivers a concentrated, culture-rich experience, themed as a thrilling "European Adventure." The entire season unfolds across the continent, allowing for rapid-fire legs and diverse cultural immersion in a geographically rich and historically significant area.
The race officially kicked off in the Netherlands, with teams navigating the charming yet logistically tricky cities of Hoorn and Volendam before traveling east.
Confirmed locations for the early legs include:
Amsterdam & Hoorn, Netherlands: The starting line saw teams tackling classic Race components right away in the city where the Big Brother format originated.
Prague, Czech Republic: Teams faced a daunting Roadblock challenge high atop the Ε½iΕΎkov Television Tower, testing their fear of heights and their commitment to the competition.
KutnΓ‘ Hora, Czech Republic: A historic stop in the heart of Bohemia.
Dubrovnik, Croatia: Teams were later spotted in this stunning coastal city, known for its intricate stone walls and challenging topography.
Bucharest, Romania: The racers ventured into Eastern Europe, where the challenges are expected to test their adaptability in a less-traveled region for the show.
Italy: The race concluded its international segment in Italy before the final dash home.
By confining the race to Europe, production has crafted a tight, fast-paced route full of incredible historical landmarks, demanding physical feats, and frustrating Detours designed to push even the most resilient competitors to their breaking point.
The Evolved Format: 90 Minutes of High-Stakes Action
The Amazing Race 38 continues the exciting format shift, airing 90-minute episodes every week on CBS. This expanded runtime, which became a permanent fixture in recent years, allows for richer storytelling, deeper team profiles, and a more thorough look at the challenges and transportation struggles that are often the secret star of the show.
Fans can expect the return of classic mechanics, including:
Roadblocks & Detours: The core challenges that test every facet of a team’s abilities.
The Yield and U-Turn: Strategic weapons that, in a cast of pre-existing rivals, will undoubtedly be used with venomous precision.
Express Pass: The coveted item that grants one team the ability to skip a challenge, a strategic asset often tied to early-leg victory.
Host Phil Keoghan is back to guide the teams and greet them at every Pit Stop. His commentary and presence remain the anchor of the series, ensuring the stakes are always clear as the teams battle exhaustion, language barriers, and each other for a spot in the final leg and a shot at that $1 million prize.
Where and When to Catch the Action
The Amazing Race Season 38 premiered on Thursday, September 25, 2025, on CBS.
The season settled into its regular Wednesday night time slot following Survivor.
For streaming, new episodes are available on-demand the next day for subscribers on Paramount+.
Your Passport to Adventure: Casting for Future Seasons
For those who watch the show and imagine themselves racing across the finish line, casting for the next season of the American Amazing Race remains open year-round. Producers are always seeking dynamic teams of two with a pre-existing, strong relationship. The key to a successful application is showcasing an outgoing personality, an adventurous spirit, and a relationship that can genuinely handle the immense pressure of the Race.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, 21 years or older, and in excellent health. Submitting a compelling video that showcases the team's unique dynamic and resilience is the first and most crucial step toward receiving the call to race for the grand prize.