It wouldn’t be fall without lots of reality TV. Dancing With the Stars, the civilian version of The Traitors and Survivor are all currently underway, and a new season of The Amazing Race lands tonight.
The long-running reality TV series — hosted and executive produced by Phil Keoghan — is back with a new season on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+. With it comes a new lineup of contestants hoping to finish first — and win $1 million.
The previous season, a Big Brother crossover, saw Jas and Jag Bains take home the prize pot. Hoping to follow in their footsteps in the civilian edition this fall are a pair of pro athletes, a grandfather-grandson team with a 54-year age gap and four pairs of siblings.
This week’s two-night premiere will kick off Season 39, which first aired in 2001 and has won multiple Emmys so far — 10 for Outstanding Reality Competition Program. From Oct. 7, the show will air weekly on Wednesdays.
The cast of The Amazing Race Season 39.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
The format remains largely unchanged: teams of two with an existing relationship race across the world, solving clues and completing challenges with the aim of crossing the final finish line first. This season’s route will see the teams cover more than 25,000 miles, taking them across five continents, nine countries and 13 cities. Challenges teased by CBS have included a 200-foot jump in Vancouver, where the race begins, and paramotor flights in Laos.
But this season, filmed last fall, includes a twist. For the first time, each team will receive an Express Pass, allowing them to skip one task. The pass has to have been used by Leg 6 of the competition. Additionally, Keoghan told Parade that one episode includes “a special personal moment” in his life.
Here are the 13 teams competing in Season 39.
Ali Krieger, 42, and Joanna Lohman, 44
Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Friends
Both are former USWNT national team players. Krieger, from Montclair, N.J., won the World Cup twice (in 2015 and 2019), while Lohman, from Silver Spring, Md., played for clubs including Washington Freedom and Boston Breakers.
Ann-Marie, 56, and Riley Tejcek, 29
Ann-Marie Tejcek and Riley Tejcek.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Mother and daughter
Ann-Marie’s a health care executive from Carmel, Ind., and Riley’s a Marine officer living in San Diego.
Anuar Tager, 58, and Andrea Tager Ballesca, 25
Anuar Tager and Andrea Tager Ballesca.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Father and daughter
Both from Houston, Tager is a developer and Tager Ballesca’s a medical student.
Cody Langlois, 35, and Jaime Tribo, 33
Cody Langlois and Jaime Tribo.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Siblings
Langlois, from Los Angeles, is a civil engineer while Tribo, from Tinley Park, Ill. is a dietitian.
Conner Wilson, 27, and Garrett McGuire, 27
Conner Wilson and Garrett McGuire.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Friends
Friends since childhood, Wilson, from Loomis, Calif., is a media producer and McGuire is an engineer from Rocklin, Calif.
Dafina, 52, and Saran Dunmore, 51
Dafina Dunmore and Saran Dunmore.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Siblings
Both from Chicago, Dafina is a bond analyst and DJ while Saran is a personal trainer and founder of a children’s leadership development company. The sisters describe themselves as best friends.
Daisha Wilks, 28, and Dalton Hamby, 27
Daisha Wilks and Dalton Hamby.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Dating
Both videographers, Wilks is from Flat Rock, Ala., and Hamby is from Jacksonville, Ala.
Doug, 73, and Dylan Matter, 19
Doug Matter and Dylan Matter.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Grandfather and grandson
Doug is a retired fire chief and Dylan is a college student. Both are from San Diego.
Erin Taylor, 28, and Javi Vintimilla, 30
Erin Taylor and Javi Vintimilla.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Married
Residing in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Taylor is a head of human resources and Vintimilla is a pilot.
Jody Rebhun, 44, and Jenn Naso, 44
Jody Rebhun and Jenn Naso.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Friends
Best friends and moms, Rebhun is a history teacher from Branford, Conn. and Naso is a forensic scientist from Larchmond, N.Y.
Katie, 26, and Charlotte Schultz, 20
Katie Schultz and Charlotte Schultz.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Siblings
From Murray, Ky., both sisters are estheticians.
Michelle, 31, and Matthew Patterson, 36
Michelle Patterson and Matt Patterson.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Married
Michelle’s an auto body shop owner and real estate agent while Matthew’s a business operations director. The couple, who are parents, live in Rutherford, N.J.
Zach, 30, and Nate Johnson, 27
Zach Johnson and Nate Johnson.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
Relationship: Siblings
Brothers Zach and Nate — from Dallas, Texas — founded an automated outreach and booking system.