The Amazing Race Season 38 Finale: 5 Shocking Twists And The Big Brother Crossover That Changed Everything

As of today, December 10, 2025, The Amazing Race Season 38 is reaching its dramatic conclusion on CBS, marking one of the most talked-about seasons in the history of the Emmy-winning reality series. This installment has been a whirlwind of high-stakes competition, shocking eliminations, and a historic crossover twist that has fundamentally changed the dynamic of the race, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as the final teams race toward the finish line and the $1 million prize. The 38th season, which officially premiered on September 25, 2025, was immediately dubbed a must-watch event, not just for the challenging European route, but for the unprecedented inclusion of fan-favorite contestants from the sister reality show, *Big Brother*. This strategic casting move injected a new level of competitive strategy and pre-existing rivalries into the global trek, proving that the game is just as much about mental acuity and social maneuvering as it is about physical endurance and navigation.

The Historic Crossover: Amazing Race 38's Big Brother Twist

For the first time ever, *The Amazing Race* dedicated an entire season to a crossover theme, casting 13 pairs where at least one member was a former houseguest from the CBS surveillance show, *Big Brother*. This decision was a massive gamble that paid off, creating a narrative rich with established personalities and unexpected alliances. The presence of seasoned reality TV veterans, all of whom understand the mechanics of competition and the pressure of being constantly observed, immediately raised the competitive bar.

The cast list for this historic season includes several notable names from the *Big Brother* universe, paired with a loved one or traveling companion. This structure meant that while the *Big Brother* alumni brought their strategic experience, their non-TV-star partner had to quickly adapt to the demanding nature of the race, often becoming the team's secret weapon or, at times, their Achilles' heel. Host Phil Keoghan noted that the twist was designed to see how reality veterans would handle the unpredictable, high-speed nature of a worldwide race.

Key Teams and Alumni Entities

• Angela Murray (Big Brother 20) and her partner.
• Kat Dunn (Big Brother 21) and her partner.
• Enzo Palumbo (Big Brother 12, 22) and his partner.
• Jas & Jag (from a recent season), who have been frontrunners in the competition.
• Adam Abdin (Big Brother 23) and his partner.
• Hannah Chaddah (Big Brother 23) and her partner.

The crossover has led to intense moments of gameplay, with teams using *Big Brother* strategies, such as forming tentative alliances and blindsiding competitors with well-timed U-Turns and strategic use of the Express Pass (if available), a game piece common in the series. The tension between players who knew each other's weaknesses from their time in the *Big Brother* house added a layer of personal drama rarely seen on the race.

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The Route and Game-Changing Twists of the 38th Season

Season 38 was billed as a "special race across Europe," a more focused route than many previous seasons, which often span multiple continents. This geographic focus did not, however, translate to an easier race. The European leg proved to be incredibly demanding, testing the teams' language skills, cultural awareness, and ability to navigate dense, historic cities.

The journey began in the United States before quickly jetting off, forcing teams to rely on their wits and limited resources. The condensed route meant that travel delays were even more impactful, and every Roadblock and Detour became a critical juncture. Locations visited included major European capitals and lesser-known historical sites, ensuring the race maintained its core mission of cultural immersion.

5 Game-Changing Twists That Defined Season 38

Beyond the crossover cast, Season 38 introduced and utilized several game mechanics that kept competitors—and viewers—guessing:

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1. The Hazard: A new game element that, when encountered, forced a team to complete a challenging, time-consuming task on the spot, adding a significant delay and testing their composure under pressure.
2. The Save: Though not a new concept, the strategic use of "The Save," which allows a team to avoid elimination after finishing last in a non-elimination leg, was a major talking point, especially when utilized by a *Big Brother* alum with a knack for strategy.
3. The Double U-Turn: The classic mechanism allowing teams to force two other teams to complete both Detour options was used with ruthless efficiency, leading to the elimination of several strong teams early in the competition.
4. The Blind U-Turn: This variant, where the team placing the U-Turn remains anonymous, intensified the paranoia and mistrust among the competitors, a feeling all too familiar to the *Big Brother* players.
5. The Penultimate Leg's Complexity: The tasks in the final legs, particularly the one in Paris, were designed to be mentally and physically grueling, serving as a final, comprehensive test of the remaining teams' skills before the final Pit Stop.

The Final Four: Analyzing the Paris Penultimate Leg

The penultimate leg of *The Amazing Race* Season 38, which aired on December 3, 2025, was a masterclass in pressure. The four remaining teams traveled to Paris, France, to compete for a spot in the finale. This leg was crucial, as the final three teams would proceed to the ultimate race for the $1 million prize on the finale episode.

The Paris leg, titled "The Can't Can't," featured iconic locations and high-stakes challenges:

• Moulin Rouge Detour: Teams had to master a complex routine from the famous Can-Can dance, requiring precision, memory, and physical stamina—a task that led to multiple retries for several teams.
• Eiffel Tower Clue Hunt: A classic clue-finding challenge near the iconic Eiffel Tower, testing the teams' ability to focus and solve puzzles amidst a massive crowd.
• Braille Typing Roadblock: One of the most unique and mentally taxing challenges of the season required a team member to accurately type a message in Braille, a task that demanded extreme attention to detail and patience, proving to be the downfall for one team.

The team of Jas & Jag continued their impressive run, leading the pack through the high-pressure Paris leg. Their consistent performance throughout the European leg has made them the team to beat heading into the finale. The elimination in Paris was a heartbreaking moment, solidifying the final three teams who will compete for the ultimate victory on the December 10, 2025 finale.

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What’s Next: The Amazing Race Season 38 Finale and Beyond

Today's finale will be the culmination of a truly unique season. The final three teams, having survived the historic *Big Brother* crossover, the demanding European route, and the myriad of game-changing twists, will face their final challenges. Viewers can expect a frantic, high-intensity finish, likely involving complex memory tasks, a final physical challenge, and a race to the final Pit Stop mat where Phil Keoghan will crown the winners of *The Amazing Race 38*.

The success of the crossover season has demonstrated the show's ability to evolve and integrate new elements, ensuring its longevity as one of the premier CBS reality series. While details for The Amazing Race Season 39 are still under wraps, the precedent set by Season 38 suggests that producers are willing to take bold risks with casting and format. Fans are already speculating whether future seasons will feature more reality crossovers, perhaps with contestants from *Survivor* or even *Love Island*, a move that would keep the show fresh and its topical authority high for years to come.