The Amazing Race 38: The 'Big Brother' Twist, Finale Details, And Every Must-See Location

The Amazing Race Season 38 has delivered one of the most explosive, high-stakes, and dramatic global journeys in the show's history, culminating in a spectacular finale that is airing right now, December 10, 2025. This season, hosted by the legendary Phil Keoghan, has been defined by a shocking "historic twist" that saw fan-favorite teams from another major CBS reality franchise enter the race, completely changing the dynamic of the competition and forcing alliances and rivalries to form faster than ever before.

The latest installment of the Emmy-Award winning series, which kicked off in a special Thursday night premiere before settling into its regular Wednesday slot, has taken racers across two continents and through some of the most challenging and picturesque locations in Europe. From the canals of Amsterdam to the historic streets of Prague, the journey has been a masterclass in strategy, endurance, and sheer luck. Here is everything you need to know about the current season, the full cast, the epic route, and the game-changing twists that led to this week's grand conclusion.

The Historic 'Big Brother' Alliance: Season 38 Cast Revealed

For the first time ever, *The Amazing Race* introduced a massive crossover event, bringing in fourteen former *Big Brother* All-Stars to compete for the $1 million prize. This unprecedented move instantly raised the stakes, as teams arrived with existing relationships, long-standing feuds, and a deep understanding of reality competition strategy. The cast was packed with fan-favorites and notorious strategists, making every leg a psychological as well as physical battle.

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The full cast of *The Amazing Race* Season 38 included:

• Rachel Reilly & Brendon Villegas: "Brenchel," a fan-favorite couple known for their previous appearances on both *Big Brother* and *The Amazing Race* (Seasons 20 and 24).
• Janelle Pierzina & Britney Haynes: Two of *Big Brother's* most iconic female strategists and personalities.
• Nicole Franzel & Victor Arroyo: A married couple who met and fell in love through the *Big Brother* franchise.
• Cody Nickson & Jessica Graf: Another *Big Brother* showmance success story who previously won *The Amazing Race* Season 30.
• Kyland Young & Taylor Hale: Two highly strategic players, with Taylor being a former *Big Brother* winner. They were early frontrunners, winning the first task and securing two Express Passes.
• Enzo Palumbo & Hayden Moss: Two popular male contestants from different *Big Brother* seasons.
• Angela Murray & Lexi Murray: A mother/daughter duo who were not part of the *Big Brother* alumni, but were known for their strong family bond and competitive spirit.
• Hannah Chaddha & Derek Frazier: A pair of younger, highly competitive players.

The inclusion of so many pre-existing relationships meant that the initial legs were dominated by attempts to form a "Big Brother" alliance, a strategy that quickly fractured as the pressure of the race mounted and individual rivalries took center stage.

The Global Gauntlet: Season 38's Epic Route and Locations

Season 38 was a stunning European adventure, with teams racing through eight different countries in a condensed, high-intensity route. The journey was physically demanding and culturally immersive, forcing racers to navigate unfamiliar languages, transport, and customs. The initial legs set a fast-paced tone, with the starting line taking place in a location significant to the other CBS reality show.

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The full list of countries and key locations visited in *The Amazing Race* Season 38 included:

• The Netherlands (Amsterdam): The starting line, where the first challenge was held, setting the stage for the season.
• Czech Republic (Prague): Known for its historic architecture and challenging Roadblocks involving intricate physical tasks.
• Hungary (Budapest): A beautiful and often confusing city for navigation, featuring artistic and cultural Detours.
• Croatia: A stunning, scenic location that tested the teams' ability to perform tasks on the water and in historic towns.
• Romania: A challenging leg that pushed teams out of their comfort zones with difficult, often rural, challenges.
• Greece: A classic *Amazing Race* destination, involving ancient history and taxing physical endurance tests.
• Italy: Racers faced high-pressure tasks in the country's iconic cities, including a mention of one team facing a tough situation in an Italian leg.
• France (Paris): The penultimate leg, which included a high-pressure challenge involving dance retries, Braille typing, and a clue hunt, leading into the finale.

The tight schedule and the sheer number of countries visited in a limited time frame meant that teams had to be constantly adapting, with little time for rest or recovery. This route was specifically designed to test the mental fortitude of the *Big Brother* strategists who are used to a more static environment.

New Twists and High-Stakes Gameplay

Beyond the historic *Big Brother* casting twist, Season 38 introduced several key game mechanics that kept both the racers and viewers on the edge of their seats. The core of the season's gameplay revolved around the strategic use of powerful advantages.

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The Express Pass Advantage

The Express Pass, a coveted item that allows a team to skip any one task on the race, was introduced early on. The winners of the very first task in Amsterdam, Kyland & Taylor, earned two Express Passes: one for themselves and one to give to another team. This twist immediately created an internal dynamic, as teams had to decide who to trust and who to potentially help, adding a layer of social strategy reminiscent of *Big Brother* itself. The decision of who to gift the second pass to became a major talking point and a strategic weapon throughout the first half of the race.

Double Eliminations and Non-Elimination Legs

The season maintained the show's tradition of mixing elimination legs with non-elimination legs, but also featured a double elimination early on. This "Double the Stakes, Double the Eliminations" leg dramatically reduced the number of teams quickly, forcing everyone to race at maximum speed from the start. The intensity of the race was palpable, with teams like Jas & Jag leading a high-pressure leg in Paris as the competition tightened towards the finale.

The combination of veteran reality competitors, a fast-paced European route, and high-stakes twists ensured that *The Amazing Race* Season 38 will be remembered as one of the most competitive seasons to date. With the finale airing this week, fans are eagerly awaiting the crowning of the newest champions who managed to outwit, outplay, and outlast this historic field of racers. The success of this crossover format has many speculating about what future seasons, potentially *The Amazing Race* Season 39, might hold for the franchise.