A renowned US television series, The Amazing Race, has made its way to Melbourne for filming, marking a significant first in its 24-year history. This week, live streamer Matt Westcott discovered the show filming a challenge in the iconic street art laneway, Hosier Lane. The episode is set to air in March 2026 as part of the series’ upcoming 39th season.
On Monday afternoon, Westcott encountered the long-time host of the show, Phil Keoghan, while he was streaming live. He noticed camera crews and signage from Worldrace Productions, the production company behind the series. “Phil was very kind, he appeared on my stream multiple times yesterday and gave nice advice,” Westcott told Yahoo Lifestyle. He mentioned that Keoghan even approached him separately from the film crew after he assisted with filming equipment during a shoot on a bridge.
The challenge filmed in Hosier Lane involved teams locating and opening a locked box that had been cleverly camouflaged among the vibrant graffiti that adorns the walls of the laneway. Westcott, a former fan of the show, reported seeing Keoghan several times as they filmed throughout the day.
The filming continued into Tuesday, where Westcott observed the teams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Participants were required to abseil down the light towers as part of the challenge. This sequence adds to the excitement surrounding the series, which has previously filmed in Australia on four occasions—2002, 2003, 2006, and 2011—but never before in Melbourne.
The upcoming season of The Amazing Race began filming in Vancouver, Canada, on September 22, 2023. Fans can look forward to watching the Melbourne episode when it premieres on Channel 7 and 7plus in Australia in March 2026.
The filming in Melbourne coincides with the nearing finale of The Amazing Race Australia, where only four teams remain in contention. Among the finalists are Aesha Scott from Below Deck and her partner Scott Dobson, TikTok sensations Luke and ‘Sassy’ Scott O’Halloran, power couple Rob Mills and Georgie Tunny, along with actor brothers Stephen and Bernard Curry.
This unique opportunity for Melbourne to host such a prominent television series showcases the city’s vibrant culture and scenic locations, further enhancing its reputation as a desirable filming destination.
