The Amazing Race Season 37: A Global Adventure Redefined
Strategic gambles and immersive local challenges pushed contestants to their limits.
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The Amazing Race continues to captivate audiences in its thirty-seventh season, delivering twists, challenges, and adrenaline-fueled moments across the globe. Thrusting fourteen teams into a whirlwind trek over 29,000 miles, Season 37 marks a highlight in the show’s legacy—a ‘season of surprises’ filled with new game mechanics, diverse international settings, and unforgettable personalities.
Season Overview
Premiering on CBS on March 5, 2025, and concluding on May 15, 2025, The Amazing Race Season 37 featured fourteen teams, all with pre-existing relationships, competing for the iconic $1,000,000 prize. Host Phil Keoghan led teams across three continents and ten countries, introducing uncertainties and innovations at every turn.
- Number of Teams: 14 (the most in series history)
- Countries Visited: United States, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal
- Total Legs: 12
- Series Host: Phil Keoghan
- Season Winner: Carson McCalley and Jack Dodge
Main Features of Season 37
- Unprecedented twists: New game devices such as the Fork in the Road, Driver’s Seat, and Valet Roulette
- Classic Race Elements Returned: Double elimination leg, Intersection, Fast Forward, Double U-Turn, non-elimination leg, Head-to-Head, Scramble, Live U-Turn Vote
- Increased Global Diversity: Exposure to unique challenges in underexplored countries and cities
Meet the Teams
Season 37 gathered an eclectic mix of pairs, with backgrounds ranging from gaming to athletics to family dynamics. Each relationship was tested by the stress and unpredictability of the race.
| Team | Relationship | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Carson McCalley & Jack Dodge | Best friends & gamers | Strategic, calm under pressure |
| Han & Holden Nguyen | Siblings | Supportive, competitive |
| Jonathan & Ana Towns | Married parents | Reliable, adaptive |
| Eleven other teams | Varied relationships | Bringing diversity and surprises |
While the complete list of all teams brings together a spectrum of skills and personalities, the above standouts defined the race’s thrilling conclusion.
New Twists and Returning Elements
Season 37 is celebrated for its blend of tradition and innovation, amping up the unpredictability for which the show is known.
- Fork in the Road: Teams face a crucial decision with two detours, neither option clearly easier or faster—intensifying strategic gameplay.
- Driver’s Seat: Select teams seize temporary control over route choices, influencing competitors’ fates.
- Valet Roulette: A game of chance that can turn the leaderboard upside down in a single moment.
- Intersection: Partnerships form temporarily, with teams relying on others’ strengths—and sometimes, their weaknesses.
- Live U-Turn Vote: Teams must publicly reveal their alliances and rivalries, heightening tactical drama.
- Fast Forward & Double U-Turn: These classic accelerators and obstacles return, demanding careful calculation.
These elements fueled unexpected shifts in team rankings and tested adaptability like never before.
Where Did The Race Go? A Journey Across Continents
The international adventure of Season 37 spanned North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, exposing contestants to dynamic challenges synonymous with each destination.
- United States (Los Angeles Start, Miami Finish): The season kicked off and ended on American soil, bookending the global journey.
- Hong Kong & Japan: Early legs introduced high-velocity city tasks and traditional roadblocks, such as intricate performances and high-stakes navigation.
- Indonesia & UAE: Contestants faced exotic markets, deserts, and culture-shock-inducing puzzles.
- Bulgaria: Unforgiving landscapes tested physical resolve with hay-stacking and historic tasks.
- Italy (Naples): Teams raced through culinary trials, including a challenge to master the art of pizza-making.
- France (Strasbourg): Water jousting and medieval obstacle courses brought a European flair to the lineup.
- Portugal: The final European stop before the climactic return to the U.S. required teams to dig deep as the finish line loomed.
Season Itinerary Table
| Leg | Location | Key Challenge / Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, USA | Launch / Double Elimination |
| 2 | Osaka, Japan | Taiko drum performance (Intersection) |
| 3-4 | Indonesia & UAE | Market & desert challenges, Navigation puzzle |
| 5-6 | Hong Kong & Bulgaria | Cultural obstacles, hay-stacking, game twists |
| 7-8 | Bulgaria | Physical endurance, Express Pass up for grabs |
| 9 | Naples, Italy | Pizza-making task |
| 10 | Strasbourg, France | Water jousting match (Head-to-Head) |
| 11 | Portugal | Race for final qualification |
| 12 | Miami, USA | Finish line and $1 million prize |
Episode-by-Episode Highlights
- “Double the Stakes, Double the Eliminations” (Leg 1): The race begins with high tension—two teams eliminated right out of the gate.
- “Very Strong Warrior Energy” (Leg 2): An Intersection challenge in Japan forces unexpected pairings, shaking up team dynamics.
- “Chaotic, Crazy, That’s What We’re Used To” (Leg 3): Trial by chaos as teams navigate unfamiliar terrain in Indonesia.
- “There’s No Addresses in the Jungle” (Leg 4): Map-reading woes and communication hurdles intensify the struggle for survival.
- “It Smells Like the Desert” (Leg 6): Racing through the sand in the UAE, teams encounter sandstorms and camel-driven Roadblocks.
- “Be One With the Hay” (Leg 7): Bulgaria’s infamous haystack challenge returns, demanding stamina and patience.
- “We’re Letting Race Brain Win” (Leg 8): The Express Pass is up for grabs and costly errors threaten some teams’ positions.
- “The Pizza de Résistance” (Leg 9): In Naples, Italy, culinary skills are pushed to the limit during a high-pressure pizza-making task that separates the top teams from the rest.
- “Up the River Without a Joust” (Leg 10): Strasbourg’s head-to-head water jousting delivers drama and close finishes.
- “My Knight in Shining Armor” (Leg 11): Teams in Portugal face intricate navigation and partnership tests to secure a spot in the finale.
- “We’re in Miami Baby!” (Leg 12): The climactic race to the finish with the $1 million prize awaiting the winning duo.
Season 37 Winners: Who Took the Crown?
Carson McCalley and Jack Dodge, best friends and avid gamers, outwitted, outpaced, and outlasted thirteen other teams. Their combination of quick decision-making, unshakable composure, and willingness to take strategic risks ultimately delivered victory at the final mat in Miami. Siblings Han and Holden Nguyen finished as strong runners-up, while married parents Jonathan and Ana Towns rounded out the top three.
Memorable Challenges & Drama
Season 37’s challenges stood out for their variety and intensity, showcasing the show’s ability to bring both humor and heart-stopping suspense.
- Physical Endurance: From haystack searches in Bulgaria to jousting in France, strength and patience were constantly put to the test.
- Mental Agility: Problem-solving under pressure was required for navigating dense urban sprawls or decoding cryptic clues in bustling markets.
- Cultural Immersion: Teams had to quickly adapt to unfamiliar customs and complete tasks requiring both respect and creativity (e.g., pizza-making in Italy, taiko drumming in Japan).
- Team Dynamics: Strategic alliances, fleeting betrayals, and tense U-Turn votes added depth to the interpersonal drama.
What Made This Season Unique?
Several factors set Season 37 apart from previous installments:
- Larger Cast: Fourteen teams meant heightened chaos at the start and more opportunities for shifting alliances.
- Game-Changing Twists: New mechanisms forced teams to adapt on the fly, keeping both racers and viewers guessing.
- Global Breadth: With its world-spanning route, the season showcased hidden gems and lesser-visited race locations.
- High Emotional Stakes: Teams experienced dramatic highs and lows, with tearful eliminations and unexpected comebacks.
Reception and Impact
Season 37 of The Amazing Race was praised for its renewed energy and engaging twists. Fans lauded the inclusion of new tasks and the diverse cast.
- Critical Reception: Consistently high viewer ratings, particularly for the penultimate and finale legs.
- Fan Engagement: The season generated significant online discussion, with social media buzzing over game mechanics and alliances.
- Legacy: The season’s innovations are seen as potential templates for future races.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many teams competed in The Amazing Race Season 37?
A: Fourteen teams participated—the highest number in show history.
Q: What were some of the new twists introduced this season?
A: New twists included the Fork in the Road, Driver’s Seat, and Valet Roulette, each offering new strategic or luck-based challenges.
Q: Who won Season 37?
A: Best friends Carson McCalley and Jack Dodge won the season and the grand prize.
Q: What were the most challenging tasks this season?
A: The haystack challenge in Bulgaria, pizza-making in Italy, and water jousting in France ranked among the most demanding.
Q: Will Season 37’s twists return in future seasons?
A: While unconfirmed, the popularity of Season 37’s new elements suggests similar innovations may appear in upcoming races.
Conclusion
The Amazing Race Season 37 delivered a globe-trotting, game-changing competition defined by innovation, diversity, and heart. By embracing new twists and embracing the unexpected, the show not only kept contestants on edge but also reinvigorated its loyal fan base. As always, the anticipation now turns to what lies ahead for future seasons inspired by the memorable journey of this record-breaking race.
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