What is the Race Across the World 2026 route?

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The popular show Race Across the World returns tonight, April 2nd, with five new teams starting an incredible adventure.

Each team is made up of people who are closely connected – best friends, family members like siblings, parents and children, cousins, and in-laws. They’ll face challenges that test not only their physical strength, but also their emotional bonds, pushing them to their breaking points.

As a huge fan, I can’t believe what these teams are up against! This race is going to be absolutely brutal – they’re facing everything from scorching Mediterranean heat, like 30 degrees, to freezing temperatures down to minus 20! And to make it even tougher, they’ve got to do it all on less than £26 a day. Seriously, that’s incredible!

Where will the teams be traveling in this year’s competition? Here’s a look at the route for Race Across the World 2026.

What is the Race Across the World 2026 route?

The five duos will begin their adventure in Palermo, on the island of Sicily.

From there, they’ll journey 12,000 kilometers to complete the race at the edge of Lake Hövsgöl in northern Mongolia.

The teams will travel along sections of the historic Silk Road, mirroring the routes used by ancient traders who linked the East and West. They won’t know their next destination until they arrive at each checkpoint along the way.

The journey will lead the teams through Italy, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia – each country offering a unique language, culture, and climate.

Being with the racers is all-consuming,” explained Michael Perry, the series producer. “You stay with them constantly, mirroring their every move, but you can’t help them directly. It’s tough—you see opportunities to assist or notice mistakes, but you have to hold back and let them navigate the race on their own.

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The exciting show Race Across the World is back on BBC One and iPlayer on Thursday, April 2nd at 8pm. You can also catch up on previous seasons – 1 through 5 – anytime on iPlayer.

Don’t miss Race Across the World! Add it to your watchlist using the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. Katelyn has a degree in Journalism.

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2026-04-02 19:37