Race Across The World 2026: Epic Journey from Italy to Mongolia Begins
The highly anticipated sixth series of the Bafta-award winning television program Race Across The World is set to premiere on April 2, 2026, at 8pm on BBC One. This thrilling competition features five determined duos embarking on an extraordinary 12,000-kilometer adventure from Palermo, Italy, to Hatgal, Mongolia, with a substantial £20,000 prize awaiting the victorious team.
The Challenging Route Through Eight Countries
Contestants face a formidable journey across eight diverse countries, navigating through Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan before reaching their final destination in Mongolia. With only £23 per day and strictly no smartphones permitted, participants must rely on traditional travel methods and their wits to complete this demanding expedition.
The route follows significant portions of the historic Silk Road, culminating in one of the planet's most remote locations: the vast and breathtaking Mongolian Steppe. This series promises to deliver unprecedented challenges as teams traverse varied landscapes and cultures while managing limited resources.
Meet the 2026 Contestant Duos
This season introduces a compelling mix of relationships, including best friends, siblings, parent-child combinations, and for the first time in the show's history, in-laws competing together.
Mark and Margo make history as the first sister-in-law and brother-in-law pairing. Mark, a 66-year-old retired architect, teams up with 59-year-old Margo, bonding after years of tension while caring for Mark's late wife Julia, who was Margo's sister. "It was her last dying wish," Mark revealed about Julia's desire for them to become friends. Margo admitted they initially "tolerated each other" but found unexpected comfort during their journey.
Puja and Roshni bring cousin chemistry to the competition. Thirty-one-year-old doctor Puja originally applied with a friend but reapplied with her 32-year-old software engineer cousin Roshni for stronger compatibility. Both women had recently married and were navigating major life changes when they embarked on this three-month adventure. Roshni noted they discovered much about each other, with Puja adding, "There's nothing now that we won't be able to work past."
Katie and Harrison represent the sibling dynamic, with 23-year-old Harrison convincing his initially reluctant 21-year-old sister Katie to participate. Katie confessed to being "nervous about the TV aspect" more than the travel itself, even packing for Brazil under the mistaken belief they were heading to South America. Despite her initial hesitation, Katie acknowledged the experience "strengthened" their relationship as they consciously avoided their usual banter and teasing.
Andrew and Molly feature a geography teacher father and his junior doctor daughter. Fifty-four-year-old Andrew "never in a million years" expected to be selected when he applied alongside 23-year-old Molly. They developed a strategic approach where Andrew engaged older people while Molly connected with younger travelers. Molly emphasized their philosophy: "We live and die by whatever call we make at that moment," avoiding second-guessing each other's decisions.
Kush and Jo bring youthful energy as 19-year-old best friends who responded to an Instagram advertisement. Kush explained they had "nothing to lose" by applying, confident their strong friendship could overcome any challenges. Both admitted struggling without smartphones, particularly missing contact with family, but found the race demanded their full attention. Jo emerged as particularly determined to secure victory.
Production Details and Broadcast Information
The new series maintains the program's signature format while introducing fresh relationship dynamics and an ambitious route spanning continents. Viewers can expect dramatic moments as teams navigate cultural barriers, transportation challenges, and interpersonal dynamics under pressure.
Race Across The World continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of travel adventure and human drama, testing contestants' resilience, resourcefulness, and relationships. The 2026 edition promises particularly compelling storytelling as teams journey from Mediterranean Europe to Central Asia's remote landscapes.
The premiere episode airs April 2, 2026, at 8pm on BBC One, launching what promises to be the most challenging and visually stunning season yet of this celebrated competition series.
