The Amazing Race 39

Development and filming

Filming for this season began on September 22, 2025, in Vancouver, Canada.^[1][2] In a new twist during this leg, each team was given an Express Pass that they could through the sixth leg.^[3] A leg was filmed in Vang Vieng, Laos, on October 11, 2025.^[4] Keoghan and production crews were sighted filming in Melbourne, Australia, on October 13, 2025.^[5] Teams then arrived in Melbourne on the following day.^[6][7] Teams left Melbourne on October 15, 2025, with the following leg taking place in Christchurch, New Zealand, on October 16.^[8][9][10] This marks the show's first visit to Oceania since season 22 as well as the first visit to Africa since season 31.^[8] The final leg was filmed on October 17, 2025, in Honolulu.^[11] This season also marks the first time that the show filmed in Albania and the first time that the show did not film within the contiguous United States.^[11]

When asked about this season in an interview with Parade following the season 38 finale, Keoghan stated "They say 'luck is the residue of design', and Season 39 is a perfect example of that. Captivating cast, some new twists which gave us the desired results of changing things up, great weather in destinations where it really made a difference, some unpredictable challenge moments and a special episode I took particular interest in ended with a special personal moment in my life."^[12]

Casting

Casting for this season began on January 13, 2025, and closed on May 2, 2025.^[13][14] This season was the first since season 33 to not feature the mandatory 50% BIPOC casting diversity initiative that began in late 2020 following the decision by CBS to rollback its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in April 2025.^[15] Despite the change, casting director Jesse Tannenbaum stated, "Well, from my perspective, nothing's changed. I've always, in the back of my mind, felt we needed more diversity on these shows...I'm still shooting for having a really diverse cast because I think everybody needs to be represented."^[16]

Broadcast

On January 22, 2026, CBS announced that the season would air in the 2026–27 television season.^[18] On April 11, CBS announced that the season would air in the fall of 2026 in the Wednesday 9:30 pm time slot following Survivor 51.^[19] On July 15, Entertainment Tonight revealed that the season's premiere date would be September 30, 2026.^[20] This premiere date was reiterated when CBS revealed its fall premieres on July 27 with the second episode airing on October 1 following the finale of Big Brother 28 before returning to its usual Wednesday slot.^[21]

Marketing

As part of the promotion for this season, CBS invited influencers to test out challenges from the first leg.^[22]

Leg 1 (Canada)

• Episode 1 (September 30, 2026)

Locations

• Vancouver, Canada (Jack Poole Plaza) (Starting Line) ^[2]
• Vancouver (BC Place)^[17]

Future legs

• Albania
  • Tirana^[11]
• Australia
  • Melbourne (Hosier Lane)^[6]
  • Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground)^[6]
  • Melbourne (Royal Exhibition Building – Carlton Gardens) ^[7]
• Laos
  • Vang Vieng^[4]
  • Vientiane^[11]
• Morocco
  • Marrakesh^[11]
• New Zealand
  • Christchurch (Avon River)^[8]
  • Christchurch (Edmonds Band Rotunda)^[8]
  • Christchurch (Christchurch Botanic Gardens) ^[9]
• Spain
  • Madrid^[11]
• Sri Lanka
  • Colombo^[11]
• United States
  • Honolulu, Hawaii^[11]