The Amazing Race 39 sends 13 pairs around the world with Phil Keoghan overseeing a competition for $1 million. The season began on September 30, 2026. This guide brings together the starting teams, the Express Pass twist, the weekly schedule and the latest confirmed result, with spoilers kept in a separate section.
The Amazing Race 39: why the Express Pass matters
Each team begins with an Express Pass, usable by the end of Leg 6. The route starts in Vancouver and includes the series’ first visit to Albania. These details follow the official season guide.
Our interest in that rule is the decision it creates. Using a pass early can prevent a bad task from becoming a disaster, but saving it preserves an escape route for a later problem. A team cannot judge that choice only by its current position: it also needs to assess fatigue, confidence and the risk of getting lost after leaving a task.
That makes communication particularly worth watching. Does one partner treat the pass as an emergency resource while the other wants to protect a lead? A disagreement over timing can reveal more about their partnership than a fast finish does. This is our interpretation of the strategic question, rather than a prediction about which team will win.
The Amazing Race 39: all 13 starting teams
| Team |
|---|
| Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman |
| Ann-Marie Tejcek and Riley Tejcek |
| Anuar Tager and Andrea Tager Ballesca |
| Cody Langlois and Jaime Tribo |
| Conner Wilson and Garrett McGuire |
| Dafina and Saran Dunmore |
| Daisha Wilks and Dalton Hamby |
| Doug and Dylan Matter |
| Erin Taylor and Javi Vintimilla |
| Jody Rebhun and Jenn Naso |
| Katie and Charlotte Schultz |
| Michelle and Matthew Patterson |
| Zach and Nate Johnson |
This is the opening lineup, not the current standings. Eliminated teams remain in this table so readers can identify names mentioned in earlier episodes.
The Amazing Race 39 episode 5 results: Albania changes the race
Spoilers for “That’s Honestly on Them,” aired October 21. Michelle and Matthew Patterson finished first, while Dafina and Saran Dunmore were eliminated. The leg included two Driver’s Seat decisions, grape-processing and byrek-making tasks, followed by a decoding challenge at Bunk’Art 1 and a finish in Skanderbeg Square.
The Driver’s Seat let the leading team assign different workloads. Navigation problems and delays also shaped the leg, showing that completing a task quickly does not guarantee a comfortable arrival at the Pit Stop. The result and task sequence are covered in TV Grapevine’s episode-five recap.
What to watch after this leg
Our reading is that the most revealing pressure comes from having to recover while still making decisions together. Blaming a partner may feel understandable in a stressful moment, yet the next clue still needs to be read correctly. A useful way to follow The Amazing Race 39 is to notice which teams reset after an error and which carry the argument into the next task.
The Amazing Race 39 schedule and where to watch
| Episode | US air date |
|---|---|
| 1 | September 30 |
| 2 | October 1 |
| 3 | October 7 |
| 4 | October 14 |
| 5 | October 21 |
| Next regular Wednesday slot | October 28 |
Dates refer to 2026. After the two-night premiere, episodes air Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Paramount+ Premium offers live CBS streaming; episodes are available the following day on all Paramount+ plans. See the release schedule and check local availability outside the United States.
Our take: travel, teamwork and difficult choices
The Amazing Race 39 suits viewers who enjoy seeing an existing relationship tested through practical problems. Unlike a house-based competition, the setting keeps changing, and each move creates another chance to gain or lose time. The appeal is in the combination: a team can be physically capable and still struggle to agree on a route.
For a weekly viewing companion, the most useful distinction is between performance and outcome. A poor finish may result from several small decisions rather than one obvious failure. Watching those decisions makes the competition more engaging than treating every leg as a simple ranking of the strongest pairs.
For another CBS competition, explore our Survivor 51 cast and episode guide, or browse more KINOLIST reviews.
The Amazing Race 39: frequently asked questions
Who hosts the season?
Phil Keoghan.
How many teams started?
Thirteen pairs entered the competition.
Who left in episode five?
Dafina and Saran Dunmore were eliminated.
Is the season winner confirmed in this guide?
No. This article covers the season through the fifth broadcast episode.