The Amazing Race 36

The Amazing Race 36 is the thirty-sixth season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it features thirteen teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the Americas to win US$1,000,000. This season visited two continents and eight countries and traveled over 11,711 miles (18,847 km) during eleven legs. Starting in Puerto Vallarta, racers traveled through Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic before returning to the United States and finishing in Philadelphia. Filmed during the waning days of the COVID-19 pandemic global health emergency and prior to the 35th aired season, this season features chartered air travel rather than commercial air travel and other accommodations for the safety of the racers. The season premiered on CBS on March 13, 2024, and concluded on May 15, 2024.
Boyfriends Ricky Rotandi and César Aldrete were the winners of this season, while military pilots Juan Villa and Shane Bilek finished in second place, and married couple Rod and Leticia Gardner finished in third place.
Filming for this season began on October 25, 2022, outside of the United States for a second time in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with teams spotted with luchadores at Plaza Hidalgo and running along the Malecón. Much like the 33rd and 34th seasons, teams traveled by chartered plane. A Global Crossing Airlines Airbus A320 was used to transport teams and production crew between locations while reducing personal interactions associated with COVID-19 infections. On November 4, 2022, the show was in Córdoba, Argentina. This season also included first-time visits to Barbados and the Dominican Republic. The final episode was filmed in Philadelphia in mid-November. This season also had teams take part in a Mexican rodeo, paraglide in Colombia, race rally cars in Argentina, swim through waterfalls in the Dominican Republic, and visit the childhood home of Rihanna in Barbados.
Casting for the season began on June 13, 2022, and closed on September 16, 2022.
On November 13, 2023, CBS officially announced this season's premiere date as March 13, 2024, following the third episode of Survivor 46 in the 9:30 pm time slot. Though this season is the 36th to air, it was the 35th to be filmed, with the 35th aired season being filmed in mid-2023. This change to postpone the season was made following the decision to air 90-minute episodes as a result of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike rather than re-edit the episodes for an additional 30 minutes. This decision was changed following season 35 with season 36 also including 90-minute episodes, and the episodes were re-edited to include cut footage.
The first trailer for this season was released on February 28, 2024.
The cast of thirteen teams includes former NFL wide receiver Rod Gardner and his wife Leticia, who were revealed early on February 6, 2024, in the lead-up to Super Bowl LVIII. The remaining twelve teams were revealed on February 21, 2024.
The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order.
The Amazing Race 36 received mixed reviews. Andy Dehnart of reality blurred wrote, "this Amazing Race season just feels weird or off in several ways, though it's also not bad." In addition he wrote, "I do think it was a mistake for the show to edit out the charter plane travel and the explanation of why teams were starting in groups. I understand that—it's kind of weird to go backward after a season with airport travel—but since that's what happened, why not admit it on screen?" Mack Rawden of CinemaBlend wrote, "Questionable decisions aside [regarding Angie & Danny's elimination], this season of The Amazing Race has been terrific, as always." Dustin Rowles of Pajiba wrote, "the 36th season of The Amazing Race has been a solid one, thanks in part to some solid casting. Former NFL running back Rod Gardner and his wife, Leticia, have been a particular highlight, although Ricky and Cesar — who have been dominating the race since the opening episode — are fun, too." Film critic Grace Randolph wrote, "This season of [The Amazing Race] is probably the worst I've ever seen - and I've watched all 36 seasons. Apparently it was filmed during Covid and before the last season… they should've just shelved it permanently." In 2024, Rhenn Taguiam of Game Rant placed this season within the bottom 13 out of 36.