The Amazing Race Season 38: Your Complete Guide To The Premiere Date, 'Big Brother' Cast, And New European Route

The question of "When does *The Amazing Race* start?" has a definitive, exciting answer for the fall television lineup, as of December 18, 2025. The Emmy-winning reality powerhouse is set to return with its 38th season, bringing a massive twist to the casting and a new, focused adventure for fans to track. This article provides the official, confirmed premiere schedule, a breakdown of the unique cast, and details on the route that will define this highly anticipated season. The latest season, Season 38 of *The Amazing Race* (TAR), will officially kick off on a special night, Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. This special, 90-minute premiere sets the stage for a new group of teams to embark on a thrilling, high-stakes global journey. Following this special Thursday debut, the show will settle into its regular time slot on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, starting October 1, 2025.

The Official Amazing Race Season 38 Premiere Schedule

The staggered premiere schedule for *The Amazing Race* Season 38 is a strategic move by CBS to maximize viewership, capitalizing on the lead-in from other major reality programming. Fans should mark their calendars for two crucial dates to ensure they don't miss the start of the race.

Key Dates for The Amazing Race Season 38

• Special Premiere Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT)
• Regular Time Slot Premiere: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT)
• Network: CBS Television Network
• Streaming: Paramount+ (Live and On-Demand)
• Host: Phil Keoghan (Returning for his 38th season)

The decision to air the first episode on a Thursday is a unique scheduling choice, often done to follow a major event or another high-rated reality show's penultimate episode. The show then moves to its permanent Wednesday night slot, where it will air weekly throughout the fall season.

The Explosive 'Big Brother' All-Alumni Cast and Theme

Season 38 is not just a regular iteration of the race; it features a major, franchise-crossover twist that has generated significant buzz among reality television enthusiasts. The entire cast for this season is composed of former contestants from CBS's other hit reality show, *Big Brother*, who are racing alongside a loved one, friend, or partner. This "Big Brother" theme is designed to pit familiar personalities against each other in a new, high-pressure environment, adding a compelling layer of strategy and rivalry to the competition.

The Amazing Race 38 Cast: Notable Teams and Entities

The cast is headlined by some of the most memorable and strategic players from recent *Big Brother* seasons, ensuring a high-drama, competitive race. The teams consist of 13 pairs, including former houseguests and their racing partners.

• Jag Bains and Jas Bains: Jag, the winner of *Big Brother 25*, is racing with his brother, Jas Bains. This pairing brings a strategic mind and a strong familial bond to the race.
• Taylor Hale and Kyland Young: This is a powerful, fan-favorite pairing, as Taylor (Winner of *Big Brother 24*) and Kyland (a prominent player from *Big Brother 23*) are racing together. Their combined reality TV experience makes them formidable competitors.
• Joseph Abdin and Adam Abdin: Joseph, a popular contestant from *Big Brother 24*, is racing with his brother, Adam Abdin.
• Izzy Gleicher and Paige Seber: Izzy Gleicher, a contestant from *Big Brother 25*, is racing with her fiancée, Paige Seber.
• Chelsie Baham and Partner: Chelsie Baham, a contestant from *Big Brother 26*, is also part of the star-studded cast, racing with her chosen partner.

This unique casting choice for *The Amazing Race* Season 38 guarantees a fascinating dynamic, as these reality veterans are already familiar with the pressures of competition, alliances, and public scrutiny. Host Phil Keoghan has teased that the season is one of the most unpredictable yet, given the contestants' prior experience.

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The 'European Adventure' Route and New Twists

The theme for *The Amazing Race* Season 38 is a "European Adventure," marking a significant shift in the show's traditional globe-trotting format. Instead of hopping across multiple continents, this season is focused entirely on the diverse landscapes, cultures, and challenges within Europe. This concentration allows for a deeper exploration of a single continent, ensuring that the challenges are fresh and locally inspired.

A Focused Global Trek

The race officially kicked off in Amsterdam, Netherlands, a location known for its intricate canals and demanding urban challenges, providing an immediate test of the teams' navigational and physical skills. While the full route remains a closely guarded secret, the "European Adventure" theme promises stops in iconic and lesser-known locations across the continent. Potential destinations could include the historic streets of Rome, the vibrant culture of Spain, or the rugged terrains of the Nordic countries, offering a variety of physical and mental Roadblocks and Detours.

New Twists to Keep the Race Fresh

While the biggest "twist" is undoubtedly the *Big Brother* alumni cast, *The Amazing Race* is known for introducing new mechanics to keep the competition dynamic. While specific new twists for Season 38 have not been fully disclosed, the show often features elements like:

• The U-Turn: A classic mechanic that allows one team to force another team to complete both sides of a Detour.
• The Yield: An opportunity for a team to delay another team for a set amount of time.
• Non-Elimination Legs: Legs where the last-place team is not eliminated but faces a penalty in the next leg, such as a Speed Bump.

Phil Keoghan and the production team are always looking for ways to challenge the teams, and a focused European route will likely lead to unique, localized challenges that test the teams' knowledge of history, language, and culture. The show continues to evolve, ensuring that even in its 38th season, the race remains unpredictable and exciting for both veteran and new viewers.

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How to Watch The Amazing Race Season 38 and Stream Past Seasons

For fans eager to catch every moment of the "European Adventure," there are multiple ways to watch the new season and catch up on the show’s extensive history.

Live Viewing: The most direct way to watch is live on the CBS Television Network on the scheduled premiere dates. Check your local listings for the exact time in your area, particularly for the special Thursday premiere (September 25) and the regular Wednesday slot (starting October 1).

Streaming: For cord-cutters and those who prefer on-demand viewing, *The Amazing Race* Season 38 will be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. A subscription to Paramount+ is the best way to watch new episodes shortly after they air and is also the primary hub for the show's extensive back catalog.

Past Seasons: To gain topical authority and understand the show's history, many fans are looking to stream older seasons. The vast majority of previous seasons of *The Amazing Race* are available for streaming exclusively on Paramount+, allowing viewers to revisit classic moments, legendary teams, and the evolution of the competition. This includes the recent Season 37, which premiered in March 2025.

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