The Amazing Race is back, and fans are buzzing with excitement for Season 37 in 2025! This popular reality TV show has been thrilling viewers for years with its fast-paced adventures, challenging tasks, and teams racing around the world for a chance to win $1 million. As we get closer to the premiere on March 5, 2025, rumors about the cast and what’s in store for this season are heating up. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the show, this article will break down everything we know so far about Amazing Race 2025—from cast rumors to exciting twists—using simple, easy-to-read language. Let’s dive in!
What Is The Amazing Race?
Before we talk about Season 37, let’s quickly recap what The Amazing Race is all about. It’s a reality TV competition where teams of two people—friends, family, or couples—race across the globe. They visit different countries, complete fun and tough challenges, and try to be the first to reach the finish line. The prize? A cool $1 million! Hosted by Phil Keoghan since the show started in 2001, The Amazing Race is loved for its mix of travel, teamwork, and drama.
Season 37 promises to bring more of what fans adore, plus some big surprises. With the premiere just around the corner on March 5, 2025, on CBS, here’s what we’ve heard about the cast and what to expect this time.
When Does Amazing Race 2025 Start?
Mark your calendars! The Amazing Race Season 37 kicks off on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Episodes will be 90 minutes long, giving us more time to enjoy the action. If you miss it on TV, you can stream it the next day on Paramount+. This season is expected to run through mid-May, with around 10 to 12 episodes full of adventure.
The show filmed last year, from May to June 2024, so the teams have already raced around the world. Now, it’s time for us to watch their journey unfold!
Where Will Season 37 Take Us?
One of the best parts of The Amazing Race is seeing new places. Season 37 will take teams to three continents and nine countries, covering over 29,000 miles (47,000 kilometers). The race starts in Los Angeles, California, and ends in Miami, Florida. Along the way, teams will visit:
- Hong Kong (a first-time stop for this leg)
- Japan (Osaka was spotted during filming)
- Indonesia
- United Arab Emirates (including Dubai)
- Bulgaria (a new country for the show)
- France (Strasbourg was confirmed)
- Portugal (filming happened in Sabrosa)
This mix of big cities and unique spots means we’ll see a variety of cultures, landscapes, and challenges. From climbing bamboo towers in Hong Kong to exploring Bulgaria for the first time, Season 37 is shaping up to be a global adventure!
How Many Teams Are in Season 37?
Here’s some big news: Season 37 will have 14 teams, the largest cast ever for the American version of The Amazing Race! In the past, the show usually had 11 or 13 teams, so adding 14 pairs makes this season extra exciting. More teams mean more competition, more drama, and more chances for surprises.
The teams are all regular people with pre-existing relationships—like friends, siblings, parents and kids, or married couples. Unlike some past seasons with famous faces, Season 37 seems to focus on everyday folks ready for a wild ride.
Who’s in the Cast? Meet the Season 37 Teams
The full cast was revealed on February 5, 2025, and it’s a fun mix of people from all walks of life. Here’s a simple rundown of the 14 teams competing in Amazing Race 2025:
- Alyssa Borden (31) and Josiah Borden (32)
- Married nurse anesthetists from Philadelphia. They’re hoping their trust and teamwork will help them win.
- Nick Fio (32) and Mike Fio (28)
- Brothers who run a podcast called BestSelf University. They’ve dreamed of being on the show for seven years!
- Jeff “Pops” Bailey (65) and Jeff Bailey (36)
- Father-son lumberjacks from St. Louis, Missouri. They’re strong and ready to tackle anything.
- Brett Hamby (36) and Mark Romain (37)
- Married Las Vegas performers (an acrobat and a dancer). Their showbiz skills might give them an edge.
- Carson McCalley (28) and Jack Dodge (27)
- Best friends and video game streamers who host the Dweeb Wars podcast. Can they win outside the virtual world?
- Courtney Ramsey (33) and Jasmin Carey (34)
- Dating nurses from Leland, North Carolina. They met at nursing school and are ready to race together.
- Scott Thompson and Lori Thompson
- A married couple (ages not shared yet). They were announced early on January 9, 2025, during a Raid the Cage cast reveal.
- Melinda Papadeas and Erika Papadeas
- Mother and daughter duo. They’re bringing family vibes to the race.
- Han Nguyen and Holden Nguyen
- Siblings who are competitive and close. They’ll test their bond on this adventure.
- Ernest Cato and Bridget Cato
- Married couple looking to make memories and maybe win the prize.
- Mark Crawford and Larry Graham
- Friends with a strong connection, ready to take on the world.
- Jonathan Towns and Ana Towns
- Another married pair hoping their teamwork pays off.
- Bernie Gutierrez and Carrigain Scadden
- Friends with unique jobs: Bernie’s a personal trainer, and Carrigain’s a spa educator.
- Courtney Ramsey and Jasmin Carey
- Yes, two teams share the name Courtney Ramsey! This second Courtney is part of a different pair (details still unfolding).
This cast is full of variety—lumberjacks, nurses, gamers, performers, and more. Fans are already guessing who might be the strongest or the most fun to watch. Who’s your early favorite?
Cast Rumors Before the Reveal
Before the official cast announcement, there were lots of rumors floating around, especially on platforms like X. Some fans thought we might see reality TV stars from shows like Big Brother or Survivor, since that’s happened before. Others guessed there could be a celebrity twist. But the final cast shows a return to “normal” people, which many fans are happy about. Posts on X also hinted at a bigger cast, and those rumors turned out to be true with the 14-team reveal!
What’s New in Season 37? Twists and Surprises
CBS is calling Season 37 the “Season of Surprises,” and host Phil Keoghan has teased that every episode will have a “game-changing twist.” Here’s what we know so far:
1. Fork in the Road: This is a brand-new twist! In the first leg in Hong Kong, teams will hit a “Fork in the Road.” They’ll have to pick one of two paths to the Pit Stop. Each path can only take seven teams, and the last team on each path gets eliminated. That means two teams go home in the first episode! It’s a risky choice that could make or break their race right away.
2. Double Elimination: The double elimination is back for the first time since Season 19. With 14 teams, losing two right off the bat will shake things up fast.
3. Returning Favorites: Some classic twists are making a comeback:
- Fast Forward: A chance to skip tasks and head straight to the Pit Stop.
- Intersection: Teams have to work together for a challenge.
- U-Turn: Teams can slow down their rivals.
4. Unexpected Challenges: Phil Keoghan said there will be surprises that leave teams shocked, like “Wait, what?!” moments. These could be tricky tasks or sudden changes in the race.
With so many twists, Season 37 will keep us guessing. The “Fork in the Road” sounds a lot like a Detour (where teams choose between two tasks), but it’s different because it splits the race into two parallel paths with eliminations at stake. Fans can’t wait to see how it plays out!
What Will the Challenges Be Like?
The Amazing Race is famous for its creative challenges—think climbing, cooking, or solving puzzles tied to local cultures. In Season 37, we already know a few tasks from the first episode:
- In Hong Kong, one team member has to climb a bamboo tower from the Cheung Chau Bun Festival to grab a clue.
- Teams will also choose between singing or doing a lion dance to move forward.
With stops in places like Japan, Bulgaria, and Dubai, we can expect more fun tasks—like maybe sushi-making in Osaka or desert races in the UAE. The show loves mixing physical challenges (like climbing or running) with brain-teasers (like riddles or navigation), so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Why Fans Are Excited for Amazing Race 2025
Season 37 has a lot going for it:
- Biggest Cast Ever: 14 teams mean more stories and rivalries.
- New Twists: The “Fork in the Road” and surprises will keep things fresh.
- Cool Locations: From Hong Kong to Bulgaria, the travel vibes are strong.
- Phil Keoghan: The host is back, and he’s hyping this as one of the wildest seasons yet.
Posts trending on X show fans are thrilled about the cast reveal and the promise of a “Season of Surprises.” After Season 36’s winners, Ricky Rotandi and Cesar Aldrete, fans are ready to cheer for new favorites.
How to Watch Amazing Race Season 37
Here’s how to catch all the action:
- TV: Tune in to CBS on Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET, starting March 5, 2025.
- Streaming: Watch live or on-demand with Paramount+ (premium tier needed for live streaming).
- Catch Up: Episodes drop on Paramount+ the day after they air.
Final Thoughts
Amazing Race 2025 is shaping up to be a must-watch season. With 14 teams—the most ever—a mix of fresh twists like the “Fork in the Road,” and a globe-trotting route, there’s plenty to look forward to. The cast is full of relatable people with big dreams, and the surprises Phil Keoghan keeps teasing will make every episode exciting.
Will the lumberjacks power through? Can the gamers outsmart the competition? Who’ll handle the twists best? We’ll find out starting March 5! For now, let us know in the comments who you’re rooting for or what you’re most excited about. Stay tuned for more updates as The Amazing Race Season 37 races into 2025!