Phil Keoghan brings The Amazing Race home

After 25 years and more than a million miles racing around the world, the Emmy-winning reality competition series The Amazing Race is coming to Christchurch.

The Amazing Race comes to Christchurch & Canterbury

This September, Season 39 of The Amazing Race will premiere to millions of viewers across North America on CBS, showcasing Christchurch and Canterbury and the extraordinary experiences the region offers as a world-class destination to audiences across the United States and around the globe.

“This Amazing Race inclusion is incredibly exciting for the city. While Christchurch remains an important gateway to the South Island, it is increasingly recognised internationally for the unique experiences and landscapes found in the city, and surrounds. To broadcast to an audience of this size is fantastic,” says Kath Low, ChristchurchNZ Head of Destination.

“ChristchurchNZ was proud to support destination coordination, introductions and local connections that helped bring partners together and showcase the region with a diverse range of authentic attractions and experiences.”

Kath Low - ChristchurchNZ, Head of Destination

To celebrate Christchurch's inclusion in The Amazing Race, Air New Zealand, ChristchurchNZ and destination partners have created a competition for viewers in the United States and Canada to win an Amazing Race designed trip for two to Christchurch and experience many of the same locations and activities featured in the episode.

“We’re excited to be supporting The Amazing Race as it brings Christchurch to millions of viewers across North America” says Ben Evers-Swindell, General Manager Americas, Air New Zealand.

“Christchurch is a fantastic destination, with so much for visitors to discover both in the city and beyond. As the national airline, we’re proud to play our part in connecting more North American visitors with the region and support the continued economic benefits of international tourism in New Zealand.”

Ben Evers-Swindell - General Manager Americas, Air New Zealand

How the Christchurch inclusions were decided

To pull together a list of experiences worth showcasing, the production leant on ChristchurchNZ for location and product advice, local knowledge, and introductions. Longstanding ambassador for the region, Phil Keoghan was instrumental in bringing the episode to Christchurch. As one of New Zealand's most recognised international personalities, Phil has been a passionate advocate for Christchurch, helping share his hometown and its visitor experiences with a global audience for decades.

“I’ve brought The Amazing Race to New Zealand to film four previous seasons and promised that once Christchurch had the opportunity to rebuild itself after the 2011 earthquake, I would return to show off our new innovative and vibrant city to the world” says Keoghan.

“Even after traveling to more than 140 countries, coming home to Christchurch is still one of my favourite destinations - the historic new stadium and Māori culture now woven through the built city make it a privilege to put my hometown in the spotlight and show the world why it’s worth visiting,” says Keoghan.

The competition opens on 30 September, and the competition winners will take home, flights, accommodation and a wide variety of culinary experience and bucket list attractions.