The Amazing Race 2025 is gearing up for one of its most exciting seasons yet. Returning this fall on CBS, the long-running reality competition series enters its 38th season with fresh twists, a crossover cast featuring Big Brother alumni, and a race route that takes place entirely in Europe. For U.S. fans, this edition promises both nostalgia and novelty, balancing the classic format with new elements designed to keep viewers glued to their screens.
A Legacy of Adventure
Since its debut in 2001, The Amazing Race has become one of the most iconic reality competition shows on American television. Known for its mix of globe-trotting challenges, cultural exploration, and unpredictable eliminations, the show has won multiple Emmy Awards and built a loyal fan base over two decades.
Amazing Race 2025 (Season 38) continues that tradition but also marks a shift. Instead of spanning the globe, the season narrows its focus to Europe, a move that brings sharper pacing and fewer logistical lulls. For viewers, this means more action per episode, tighter storytelling, and a season that feels both familiar and refreshed.
When and Where to Watch
- Premiere Date: September 25, 2025
- Time: Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT
- Network: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+ (next-day availability)
By pairing traditional broadcast with streaming, CBS ensures the show is accessible to longtime TV viewers as well as younger, digital-first audiences. This hybrid approach reflects the way U.S. audiences consume reality TV in 2025: on-demand, on mobile, and ready to binge.
Cast Spotlight: Who’s Racing in 2025?
One of the most talked-about aspects of Amazing Race 2025 is its Big Brother crossover. This season, each team includes at least one former Big Brother houseguest. That twist has sparked major anticipation, as fans are eager to see how strategies developed in the social experiment of the Big Brother house will translate to a high-stakes race across Europe.
Highlights include:
- Jag Bains – Winner of Big Brother 25, now competing with his brother Jas. The sibling dynamic adds a family layer to his proven competitive edge.
- Other Alumni – A mix of familiar faces from past Big Brother seasons appear alongside their real-world partners, siblings, or close friends. This creates a unique blend of reality veterans and first-timers.
- New Competitors – While the Big Brother twist is central, there are still fresh participants stepping into reality TV for the first time, bringing authenticity and unpredictability.
The mix of personalities—strategists, physical competitors, emotional storytellers—sets the stage for drama, humor, and unexpected alliances.
Format and Twists
While the structure of The Amazing Race remains the same—teams travel together, complete tasks, face roadblocks, and check in at pit stops—this season adds some compelling features:
- 13 Teams of Two: Each duo has an existing relationship, whether as siblings, spouses, friends, or parent/child pairs.
- European Focus: With travel limited to Europe, episodes highlight cultural challenges rooted in history, art, and local traditions. Expect everything from navigating medieval streets to sampling regional delicacies under pressure.
- Classic Game Mechanics: Fan-favorite elements like the Express Pass and Hazard return, ensuring that strategy matters as much as speed.
- International Starting Line: Unlike previous U.S. launches, this season kicks off abroad, immediately immersing racers in the chaos of travel.
This design reflects a shift toward tighter production and increased intensity, reducing downtime and heightening competition.
Phil Keoghan: The Steady Guide
Phil Keoghan, who has hosted The Amazing Race since its inception, remains the heartbeat of the show. Known for his adventurous spirit, humor, and calm delivery at the mat, Keoghan has become a trusted presence for both contestants and viewers.
Off-camera, Keoghan continues to embrace challenges, from extreme cycling events to documentary projects, embodying the very resilience and grit that the show demands from its racers. His ability to connect with contestants and audiences alike ensures the show’s tone remains inspiring and entertaining.
Behind the Scenes: Filming and Production
Filming for Amazing Race 2025 ran from March 17 to April 9, 2025, a compressed timeline compared to global seasons. Shooting entirely in Europe reduced the logistical complexity of international flights while allowing producers to focus on detailed, localized challenges.
By keeping the route within one continent, the show also managed to highlight diverse cultures without over-relying on airports. This approach ensures teams spend more time racing and less time waiting, creating a faster rhythm that should appeal to modern audiences.
Recent Buzz Around the Franchise
The weeks leading up to the premiere have been filled with headlines, promos, and fan speculation.
- Claire Rehfuss and Derek Xiao Split: The beloved winners of Amazing Race 34, who first met on Big Brother, recently announced their breakup. Their separation has reignited discussions about the pressures reality TV couples face once the cameras stop rolling.
- Emmy Competition: While The Amazing Race remains a staple in the Outstanding Reality Competition category, newer shows like The Traitors have begun to challenge its dominance, reflecting a more crowded and competitive genre.
- Promotional Stunts: CBS teased fans with playful crossover promotions, including Phil Keoghan swapping lines with Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves, underscoring the fun, lighthearted marketing strategy for this season.
Cultural Impact of the Amazing Race
Over the years, The Amazing Race has done more than entertain; it has introduced millions of Americans to new cultures, traditions, and global perspectives. Amazing Race 2025 continues this mission, but with a sharper focus on Europe, highlighting the continent’s rich diversity within a smaller geographic footprint.
For U.S. audiences, the season offers a blend of cultural education, escapist travel, and adrenaline-fueled drama at a time when international travel remains a dream for many.
Why Amazing Race 2025 Matters
In its 38th season, the show demonstrates its remarkable staying power. While reality TV has evolved dramatically—introducing formats centered on dating, betrayal, or pure survival—The Amazing Race continues to stand out for its combination of teamwork, problem-solving, and cultural immersion.
Amazing Race 2025 feels particularly important because:
- It embraces crossover fandom by uniting Big Brother and Amazing Race communities.
- It experiments with structure, proving the show can adapt without losing its core identity.
- It reflects changing viewer habits, balancing CBS primetime slots with Paramount+ streaming audiences.
What Fans Should Look Out For
As the race kicks off, several storylines are worth following:
- Big Brother Strategy in Action: Will social manipulation and alliance-building help or hinder alumni outside the house?
- Sibling Dynamics: From Jag and Jas Bains to other family pairs, sibling relationships often create both comedy and conflict under pressure.
- European Challenges: Language barriers, cultural traditions, and fast-paced detours could create some of the toughest obstacles yet.
- Ratings vs. Streaming: Viewer response will determine how CBS balances linear TV and digital streaming in future seasons.
A Show That Continues to Inspire
At its heart, The Amazing Race is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. From everyday families to reality TV champions, racers push themselves to their limits while sharing their journeys with millions of viewers back home.
Season 38 reminds fans why they fell in love with the show in the first place: teamwork, perseverance, and the thrill of the unknown. Whether you’re cheering for your favorite Big Brother alum or rooting for new competitors, this season promises unforgettable television.
Closing Thoughts
Amazing Race 2025 represents both a celebration of the past and a bold step into the future. With its European setting, crossover cast, and streamlined format, it’s a season designed to excite longtime fans and attract new viewers. The countdown to the premiere is nearly over, and soon we’ll see who has what it takes to go the distance.
Which team are you most excited to watch in Amazing Race 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments and let the race begin!