"The Amazing Race" season 26 will premiere in a couple of weeks and this season is extra special. Aside from the fact that the reality racing competition is still going strong after 25 seasons, the showrunners actually have a different concept for this new one.
It is always quite fascinating to see lovers join the competition together, only for them to end up fighting during the race. In season 26, fans of the show will get tons of that and more as CBS announced that the next "The Amazing Race" will consist of 11 dating couples.
There is a twist though. Not all 11 dating couples are lovers per se. CBS got six pairs who are in relationships already, while the remaining five pairs are meeting for the first time. Indeed, the race will serve as their blind date, which makes it more exciting to watch.
Executive Producer Bertram van Munster told CBS, "Usually we have people who know each other really well. In this particular case, we have five blind dates and six regular dates."
He added, "Going on a blind date to a restaurant is one thing, but going on a blind date around the world is like rolling the dice in a big way."
All 11 pairs will be competing for the coveted prize of $1 million. Aside from the huge cash prize, the dating couples will also compete for the date night reward in the race. According to CBS, the winner can go to the Bavarian Public Observatory in Germany to do some star-gazing or enjoy the hot springs in Nagano, Japan.
Among the contestants is Jonathan Knight from the boy-band New Kids on the Block who will be competing together with his boyfriend. Olympians Aly Dudek and Steven Langton are also competing. For those in the blind dates category, there will be lawyers, a pro dancer and a navy physician joining the race.
"The Amazing Race" season 26 will air on Feb. 25 for its 1.5-hour premiere episode. The next episode airs Feb. 27, which is a Friday, the regular schedule of the show.
