Where Was The Amazing Race 39 Filmed?

Created by Elise Doganieri and Bertram van Munster, CBS’ ‘The Amazing Race‘ is a reality competition series that follows teams of two as they compete in a race spanning multiple nations around the world, going head-to-head in various challenges along the way. In the 39th season, the format mostly remains the same — a new batch of teams of two with an existing relationship participate with a common goal of reaching the finish line first and getting their hands on the grand cash prize of $1,000,000.

Hosted by Phil Keoghan, season 39 also introduced an unexpected twist in the game — each of the resilient teams received an Express Pass that allowed them to skip one task before Leg 6 of the competition. During the trek, the participants cover over 25,000 miles across five continents and 13 cities as they take part in several physical and mental challenges, such as a 200-foot jump and paramotor flights. Each place they set foot in provides a new challenge in their path towards glory.

The Amazing Race 39 Filming Locations

‘The Amazing Race 39’ was filmed across British Columbia, Spain, Morocco, Albania, Sri Lanka, Laos, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii, particularly in Vancouver, Madrid, Marrakesh, Tirana, Colombo, Vientiane Province, Melbourne, Christchurch, and Honolulu. According to reports, principal photography for the 39th installment of the reality show got underway in September 2025 and went on for more than three weeks before wrapping up around mid-October of the same year.

Vancouver, British Columbia

The race for the 39th season of ‘The Amazing Race’ began in the city of Vancouver, situated in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. The teams assembled at the Jack Poole Plaza in the city’s Coal Harbour neighborhood, which served as the starting line for their race. As the participants started racing, it is likely that several popular landmarks and buildings featured in the backdrop, such as Science World, Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge, and the Harbour Centre.

Madrid, Spain

For the next stop, the teams in ‘The Amazing Race 39’ traveled to the capital of Spain, Madrid. The city’s modern architecture, as well as its preserved medieval architecture, stands out during the race. Madrid is also known for its art museums, such as the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The bustling and diverse nightlife, with bars and clubs open past midnight, also makes the city a popular tourist destination.

Marrakesh, Morocco

Several important scenes for ‘The Amazing Race 39’ were also reportedly lensed throughout Marrakech, the capital of Morocco’s Marrakesh-Safi region. The cast and crew members were spotted taping numerous scenes involving the participants and challenges in different streets and neighborhoods. Marrakesh is popular for its mosques and gardens, such as the Koutoubia Mosque, the Ben Youssef Mosque, the Menara Gardens, the Agdal Gardens, and more.

Tirana, Albania

The capital of Albania — Tirana — also served as a prominent production location for the 39th season of the long-running reality competition series. While the teams competed in challenges across Tirana, the backdrop of the mountains and hills that surround the city reflected the high stakes involved in the games. The participants might pass through a few local landmarks, such as the Skanderbeg Square, the Pyramid of Tirana, the National History Museum, and the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral, during their trek.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

For the purpose of shooting, the filming unit of ‘The Amazing Race 39’ also traveled to the city of Colombo, the executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka. The blend of modern high-rise buildings and historical buildings is evident as the participants race through different areas of Colombo during the competition. You are likely to spot landmarks and buildings, such as the Lotus tower, Shangri-La Colombo, One Galle Face, Gangaramaya Temple, the Viharamahadevi Park, and the Colombo National Museum, in the backdrop of several exterior shots.

Vientiane Province, Laos

Within Vientiane Province in Laos, the production team of ‘The Amazing Race 39’ set up camp in the capital — Vientiane. The participants were also spotted shooting numerous key portions in and around the small town of Vang Vieng, a popular spot among backpackers. The natural landscape of the town helped provide more visual depth to the competition, while adding more challenges to the path of the teams in the competition.

Melbourne, Australia

Additional portions for the 39th edition of ‘The Amazing Race’ were also shot in and around the city of Melbourne, which is the capital of the state of Victoria. Its skyline, filled with tall skyscrapers and multiple landmarks, serves as the backdrop for exterior shots. So, its establishing shots are likely to capture the Flinders Street Station, the Royal Exhibition Building, the Princes Bridge, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Christchurch, New Zealand

During the shooting process, the filming unit of the long-running reality show was also spotted taping pivotal sequences across the sprawling city of Christchurch. Situated in the Canterbury Region, numerous streets and areas of the city were transformed into film sets. For instance, the area along the Avon River and near the Edmonds Band Rotunda at 230 Cambridge Terrace served as important production locations for ‘The Amazing Race 39.’

Honolulu, Hawaii

The teams in ‘The Amazing Race 39’ traveled all the way to the capital of Hawaii — Honolulu — where the finish line awaited them. The scenic, natural, and modern cityscape is the highlight of the city, with several landmarks and buildings featured in the backdrop of numerous outdoor scenes, such as the ʻIolani Palace, First Hawaiian Center, Pearl Harbor, the Bishop Museum, Waikiki Beach, and Aloha Tower.