The Amazing Race 35 is the thirty-fifth season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured thirteen teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world to win US$1,000,000. This season visited three continents and nine countries and traveled over 23,800 miles (38,300 km) during twelve legs. Starting in Los Angeles, racers traveled through Thailand, Vietnam, India, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Sweden, and Ireland before returning to the United States and finishing in Greater Seattle. Elements of the show that returned for this season include the use of commercial flights, the Express Pass, and the U-Turn. In addition, the U-Turn Vote returned with a private vote rather than a public vote, and the U-Turn was a Blind U-Turn. Unlike past seasons, the 35th season featured 90-minute-long episodes. The season aired on Wednesday nights on CBS beginning on September 27, 2023 and concluding on December 13, 2023.
For the first time in the history of the American version of The Amazing Race, the final three teams consisted entirely of male teams.[1] Brothers and computer scientists Greg and John Franklin were the winners of this season, while best friends Joel Strasser and Garrett Smith finished in second place, and father and son Rob and Corey McArthur finished in third place.
On February 21, 2023, two months after the 34th season finale, CBS announced that no season of The Amazing Race would air in the first half of 2023. Instead the next season would air during the 2023–24 television season.[2] On May 10, 2023, CBS announced that season 35 would air 90-minute episodes following Survivor 45 due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.[3] CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach stated, "[The Amazing Race and Survivor] always have so much footage that we got left on the floor, and we felt like yes, it could potentially be great opportunity to be prepared in case of this strikes happening, but even more so to give the audience more of what they want — which is more 'Survivor,' more 'Race.' The producers loved the idea. It's given these shows the ability to work different things with the format, try new things."[4]
Location scouting for this season occurred in March 2023.[5] Filming began on June 13, 2023 in Los Angeles, California at the Hollywood Sign.[6] From June 22 to 24, the show filmed in Jaipur and Amber, India.[7][8] By June 30, the show was filming in Europe.[9] This season included a first-time visit to Slovenia.[5][10] This season also returned to using commercial flights instead of charter flights as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic on two previous seasons and season 36,[11] which was the thirty-fifth season to be filmed in late 2022 and was pushed back following the decision to have 90-minute episodes.[5][12] Filming concluded in early July after traveling over 23,800 miles (38,300 km).[13][14] Elements of the show that also returned this season include the Express Pass (last seen in season 29) and the U-Turn (last seen in season 32) in the form of a voting U-Turn, which was previously utilized as a one off-twist on season 31.[15][16] The Scramble, which was introduced in the 34th season, also returned but was included in the final leg rather than the first leg.[17]
Casting
Casting for the season began on January 2, 2023.[18] Casting closed on March 22, 2023,[19] and the cast was finalized on April 21, 2023.[20]
Release
Broadcast
On August 3, 2023, CBS announced that the season would premiere on September 27, 2023.[21]
Marketing
On September 23, 2023, CBS held a drone show over Los Angeles to promote the premieres of The Amazing Race 35 and Survivor 45.[22]
Cast
This season features thirteen teams of two with the cast revealed on August 30, 2023.[15][23]
The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order.
A red placement with a dagger (†) indicates that the team was eliminated.
A purple ε indicates that the team used an Express Pass on that leg to bypass one of their tasks.
An italicized and underlined placement indicates that the team was the last to arrive at a Pit Stop, but there was no rest period at the Pit Stop and all teams were instructed to continue racing.
A brown ⊂ indicates the team on the receiving end of a U-Turn.
In this season's first Roadblock, one team member had to walk across a tightrope strung between the Millennium Biltmore Hotel and unscramble a word puzzle – CITY OF ANGELS – in order to receive their next clue from season 34 winners Derek Xiao and Claire Rehfuss.
After the Roadblock, teams had to drive to the airport and obtain tickets for one of two flights to Bangkok, Thailand. Six teams were booked on the first flight, which departed 90 minutes earlier than the second flight with the remaining seven teams. Once there, teams had to travel to Wat Paknam in order to find their next clue.
Teams had the option of winning an Express Pass if each team member could eat a plate of fried insects. Morgan & Lena won the Express Pass.
This season's first Detour was a choice between Sword Play or Spa Day. In Sword Play, both team members had to learn a 30-second daab routine in order to receive their next clue. In Spa Day, both team members had to endure a painful 30-minute Thai massage in order to receive their next clue. If either team member asked to stop the massage, the team had to go to the end of the line and restart the massage from the beginning.
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to travel to Wat Suwannaram in Salaya in order to find their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to harvest 20 lotus flower bulbs from a muddy pond. Racers then had to make two bundles arranged in a specific pattern and wrapped with leaves and bamboo ties in order to receive their next clue.
After the Roadblock, teams had to travel to Wat Rai Khing, place a coin in a marked elephant, and walk under the elephant three times in order to receive their next clue.
This leg's Detour was a choice between Stock Up or Scoop Up. In Stock Up, teams had to purchase eight food items of specified quantities at Don Wai Market using only a phonetically-spelled shopping list in order to receive their next clue. In Scoop Up, teams had to load a boat with pomelos from canals and then unload them at a dock until they filled five baskets in order to receive their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to check in at the Pit Stop: Suan Sampran.
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Once there, teams had to travel by bus to Ninh KiềuWharf in Cần Thơ and choose one of three departure times for the morning, when they received their next clue. Teams then boarded a sampan and had to deliver baskets of fruit – dragonfruit, tangerines, and golden melons – to three marked boats. With each delivery, teams received a third of a photograph that, when combined, revealed the location of their next clue: Pier 20. Morgan & Lena used their Express Pass to bypass this task.
This leg's Detour was a choice between Paper or Plastic. In Paper, teams had to make twelve sheets of edible rice paper called bánh tráng in order to receive their next clue. In Plastic, teams had to apply vinyl onto a motorcycle part in order to receive their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to check in at the Pit Stop: Trúc Lâm Phương Nam Zen Monastery.
Additional note
There was no elimination at the end of this leg; all teams were instead instructed to continue racing.
At the start of this leg, teams had to travel by taxi to Cafe Tư Điếc and ask a barista for their next clue.
This leg's Detour was a choice between Stand or Deliver. In Stand, teams had to carry seafood through a market to a stall and set up the stall so that it matched a vendor's in order to receive their next clue. In Deliver, teams had to carry four 66-pound (30 kg) mattresses to a hotel in order to receive their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to travel to the Ong Pagoda and write a wish on a card before receiving their next clue, which directed them to travel by taxi to the Hùng King Temple.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had search among thousands of tiles that adorn the temple grounds and find the one tile that matched the photograph in their clue before they could check in at the nearby Pit Stop.
Leg 5 (Vietnam → India)
The Roadblock in Amber, India had racers perform a Bhavai dance.
Episode 5: "Yessir, the Pink City" (October 25, 2023)
Prize: US$3,000 each (awarded to Steve & Anna Leigh)
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Jaipur, India. Once there, teams had to travel by taxi to the Amber Palace in Amber, and carry a bundle of sugarcane up a path to a mahout in order to receive their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to perform a Bhavai dance, which involved balancing a stack of three pots on their head without dropping them, in order to receive their next clue.
After the Roadblock, teams had to travel on foot to Panna Meena ka Kund in order to find their next clue.
This leg's Detour was a choice between All Dolled Up or The Big Picture. In All Dolled Up, teams had to assemble two Kathputlimarionettes in order to receive their next clue. In The Big Picture, teams had to recreate a Rajput painting by adding themselves in costumes and the correct cutouts to an incomplete mural in order to receive their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to check in at the Pit Stop: Gatore Ki Chhatriyan in Jaipur.
Leg 6 (India)
Teams began their second leg in Jaipur by searching the windows of Hawa Mahal.
Episode 6: "Driving Head on Into Scooters" (November 1, 2023)
Prize: Cashback rewards for a trip for two to New Zealand (awarded to Greg & John)
At the start of this leg, teams had to travel by taxi to Famous Nagra Shoe Store №32 and ask the shop owner for their next clue. Teams then had to use a telescoping monocular to search the 953 windows of Hawa Mahal for the location of their next clue: Udai Poll №2 near Jalebi Chowk. There, teams had to get an electric auto rickshaw out of a lot by pushing surrounding rickshaws out of the way and then travel to SD Masala Spice Shop №49 in order to find their next clue and learn if they were U-Turned.
This leg's Detour was a choice between Bundles or Bricks. In Bundles, teams had to bundle four types of Navrang flowers, load an auto rickshaw with the flowers, deliver the flowers to two temples, and return to the flower market in order to exchange their receipts for their next clue. In Bricks, teams had to load a cycling rickshaw with 50 bricks, one sack of sand, and two sacks of gravel, deliver the supplies to a construction site, and give their receipt to a supplier in order to receive their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to travel by auto rickshaw to Garg Textile Wholesale Fabric Shop in order to receive a bolt of fabric and their next clue directing them to Jaipur Mahal.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to use four printing blocks to properly print nine Indian peacocks on their fabric bolt in order to receive their next clue directing them to the Pit Stop: Badi Chaupar.
Additional note
Before teams began this leg, they had to vote in secret for a team to be U-Turned. Steve & Anna Leigh received the most votes. The teams' votes were as follows:
Team
Vote
Andrea & Malaina
Steve & Anna Leigh
Greg & John
Steve & Anna Leigh
Joel & Garrett
Steve & Anna Leigh
Liam & Yeremi
Robbin & Chelsea
Morgan & Lena
Robbin & Chelsea
Rob & Corey
Steve & Anna Leigh
Robbin & Chelsea
Steve & Anna Leigh
Steve & Anna Leigh
Robbin & Chelsea
Todd & Ashlie
Robbin & Chelsea
Leg 7 (India → Germany)
At the end of a leg in the Rhineland, teams encountered the Detour and Pit Stop on the banks of the Rhine.
Episode 7: "Like Two Cats Fighting in a Car" (November 8, 2023)
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Frankfurt, Germany. Once there, teams had to drive to Fähre-Kaub and exchange five euros for a bag of historical coins. Teams then continued on to Burg Rheinstein in order to find their next clue.
In this leg's first Roadblock, one team member had to use a formula in order to give the equivalent of five groschen using witten to a robber baron. Once done, racers gained entry to the castle, received their next clue, and rappelled back down to their partner.
After the first Roadblock, teams had to drive to Cologne and find their next clue at Gürzenich Köln. There, teams had to take part in a Cologne Carnival with one team member pedaling a hussar bicycle and the other throwing roses to the crowd before receiving their next clue. Then, teams had to travel on foot to the Hohenzollernbrücke in order to find their next clue.
In this leg's second Roadblock, the team member who did not perform the previous Roadblock had to find a love lock marked with an Amazing Race flag and unlock the combination lock with the numbers of the oldest cologne produced in Cologne in order to receive their next clue.
This leg's Detour was a choice between Just for Kicks or Matter of Taste. In Just for Kicks, teams had to kick four soccer balls onto a large dartboard and score exactly 66 points in order to receive their next clue. In Matter of Taste, teams had to sample nine mustards, memorize their German names, and then identify nine unmarked samples in order to receive their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to check in at the Pit Stop: the Schokoladenmuseum.
Additional note
Andrea & Malaina fell so far behind that Phil met them when they arrived at Gürzenich Köln to inform them of their elimination, as all of the other teams had already checked in at the Pit Stop.
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Vienna, Austria, and then travel by train to Ljubljana, Slovenia. Once there, teams had to travel on foot to Congress Square, choose a marked car, and drive to Lesce-Bled Airport in order to find their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to fly over Lake Bled in a glider, spot four boats with large numbers, and then arrange the numbers to form the year of Slovenian independence after returning to the airport before they could open up a clipboard with their next clue.
After the Roadblock, teams had to drive to the Planica Nordic Centre in order to find their next clue. There, teams had to don cross-country skis and ski to the top of the indoor ski track in order to retrieve their next clue.
Teams had the option of winning an Express Pass if they could climb to the top of the Letalnica Bratov Gorišek and then ride a zipline back down. Rob & Corey won the Express Pass.
This leg's Detour was a choice between Field Work or House Work. In Field Work, teams had to place hay onto a hayrack in order to receive their next clue. In House Work, teams had to assemble an apiary in order to receive their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to drive to Nebotičnik in Ljubljana and then climb the staircase to the top of the building in order to find their next clue, which directed them to travel on foot to the Pit Stop: the Dragon Bridge.
Additional notes
Teams were provided with airplane and train tickets to Ljubljana, but were under no obligation to use them.
Once in Ljubljana, teams had to search outside of the train station for their next clue. This task went unaired in the episode.[24][25]
Leg 9 (Slovenia)
During the ninth leg, teams descended into Pivka Jama and built a dragon.
Episode 9: "In The Belly of the Earth" (November 22, 2023)
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to travel on foot to Congress Square in order to find their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to attach wooden kitchen utensils to a backpack called a krosnja and then deliver them to a judge in order to receive their next clue.
After the Roadblock, teams had to drive to Pivka Jama and descend into the cave in order to find their next clue. Teams then had to assemble a dragon in order to receive their next clue, which directed them to the Fonda Fish Farm.
This leg's Detour was a choice between Scrape Off or Swap Out. In Scrape Off, teams had to use chains to scrape the barnacles from the underside of a floating fish farming container in order to receive their next clue. In Swap Out, teams had to paddle a kayak to two marked buoys, pull out nets filled with mussels, replace the buoys, and deliver the mussels to shore in order to receive their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to check in at the Pit Stop: Grad Socerb in Socerb.
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to travel by bus to Vienna, Austria, and then fly to Stockholm, Sweden.[26] Once there, teams were instructed to travel by taxi to Stockholms Fallskärmsklubb and grab a number. The next morning, teams retrieved their next clue and were instructed to skydive 10,000 feet (3,000 m) over the Baltic Sea. After landing on Djurgården, teams found their next clue. They then had to travel on foot to Villa Källhagen and then by boat to the island of Tynningö in order to find their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to construct a flower ring, attach it to a Midsummermaypole, then raise the maypole and join the circle dance around it in order to receive their next clue. Rob & Corey used their Express Pass to bypass this Roadblock.
After the Roadblock, teams had to travel by boat to Nybrokajen and then search the Royal Dramatic Theatre for a violinist with their next clue. They then had to travel by subway to the Solna centrum metro station in order to find their next clue.
This season's final Detour was a choice between Sort or Serve. In Sort, teams had to sort a pile of trash into the correct receptacles in order to receive their next clue. In Serve, one team member had to memorize four three-course Nobel Banquet dinners and relay them to their partner, who had to find the correct dishes from a vast spread. Once all four Nobel laureates were served, teams received their next clue.
After the Detour, teams had to travel by taxi to the Pampas Marina and search for their next clue by the M/YAlba II. Teams then had to travel by subway to the Pit Stop: Strömparterren.
Leg 11 (Sweden → Ireland)
During the first Roadblock of the penultimate leg in Dublin, racers joined the dancers of Riverdance and performed a short segment of Irish stepdance.
Episode 11: "We're Finding Our Pot of Gold" (December 6, 2023)
Prize: Cashback rewards for a trip for two to Fiji (awarded to Rob & Corey)
During the Pit Stop, teams used a mobile app in order to book a flight to Dublin, Ireland. Once there, teams had to drive to Forty Foot and swim in the Irish Sea to a buoy with their next clue. Teams then had to drive to the Gaiety Theatre in order to find their next clue.
In this leg's first Roadblock, one team member had to perform thirty seconds of an Irish stepdance routine from Riverdance in order to receive their next clue.
After the first Roadblock, teams had to drive to Croke Park in order to find their next clue.
In this season's final Roadblock, one team member, regardless of who performed the first Roadblock, had to perform a hurling drill, which involved completing and catching a pass and then scoring a point in order to receive their next clue.
After the second Roadblock, teams had to drive to Toner's Pub. There, both team members had to memorize and recite a passage from James Joyce's Ulysses in order to receive their next clue, which directed them to travel on foot to the Pit Stop: St Patrick's Cathedral.
Additional note
When teams arrived at Croke Park, they had to rappel down from the stadium's jumbotron and onto the field before receiving their second Roadblock clue. This task went unaired in the episode.[27]
Leg 12 (Ireland → United States)
After arriving in Seattle for the final leg, teams climbed onto the roof of the Space Needle.
Episode 12: "A Sunset, Seattle Scramble" (December 13, 2023)
At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Seattle, Washington. Once there, teams had to search the airport's parking garage for a marked car with their next clue: a miniature souvenir Space Needle. Teams had to drive there in order to find their next clue. Teams then had to climb onto the roof of the Space Needle and retrieve their next clue, which directed them to Chihuly Garden and Glass.
Teams encountered a Scramble and had to complete each of the following tasks in any order so as to get three pieces of a clue which, when assembled, revealed their next destination.
For the task at the Seattle Glassblowing Studio entitled Glass, teams had to use glassblowing techniques in order to turn molten glass into a glass float before receiving a clue piece.
For the task at The Showbox entitled Grunge, teams had to set up a stage for a grunge band in order to receive a clue piece.
For the task at the Emerald City Trapeze Arts entitled Grab, both teams members had to perform a knee hang catch on a flying trapeze in order to receive a clue piece.
The three clue pieces formed a modelseaplane, and the written instructions directed teams to drive to the Kenmore Air Harbor in order to find their next clue. There, teams had to arrange kayaks with the Roadblock prompts and Detour choices from the previous eleven legs in chronological order on storage racks and place kayak paddles displaying each country on the associated rack in order to receive their final clue, which directed them to the finish line: the Clise Mansion in Redmond, Washington.
Leg
Country
Clue
1
Thailand
Who wants to be above it all?
Sword Play
Spa Day
2
Thailand
Who has a green thumb?
Stock Up
Scoop Up
3
Vietnam
Paper
Plastic
4
Vietnam
Stand
Deliver
Who wants to play matchmaker?
5
India
Who's feeling balanced?
All Dolled Up
The Big Picture
6
India
Bundles
Bricks
Who likes to play with blocks?
7
Germany
Who's ready for change?
Who's feeling locked in?
Just for Kicks
Matter of Taste
8
Slovenia
Who wants a bird's-eye view?
Field Work
House Work
9
Slovenia
Who can deliver the goods?
Scrape Off
Swap Out
10
Sweden
Who wants to party?
Sort
Serve
11
Ireland
Who wants to get their steps in?
Who's got the swing?
Reception
Critical response
The Amazing Race 35 received positive reviews. Andy Dehnart of reality blurred wrote, "This season of The Amazing Race started slowly for me, with two episodes that couldn't really fill their 90 minutes. Starting with its legs in Vietnam, though, it recovered, finding its way not only into a better use of the 90 minutes, but back to its old self."[28] Meghan Behnke of CinemaBlend was positive with the use of 90-minute episodes for both The Amazing Race 35 and Survivor 45.[29] Amanda Gardner of Screen Rant wrote, "All the teams brought something unique throughout the race, making it an unforgettable season."[30] In 2024, Rhenn Taguiam of Game Rant placed this season within the bottom 13 out of 36.[31]
Ratings
U.S. Nielsen ratings
Viewership and ratings per episode of The Amazing Race 35
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