The Amazing Race: Breaking Down The Cash Prizes (All Losers Get Paid)

Long-running competition series The Amazing Race awards money to every single contestant. The show, which has now been running for 32 seasons, takes eleven teams of two with a preexisting relationship (in most cases) and sends them on a race around the world. Following eight rounds of elimination, the final three pairs go head-to-head in the finale to win the grand prize, but each of the ten losing teams also receives a cash prize of differing amounts.

As host Phil Keoghan so frequently says, The Amazing Race requires a unique combination of brains and brawn, plus an impeccable sense of teamwork. After lots of traveling and successfully completing challenges along the way, the team that comes out on top receives a well-deserved $1 million prize. There are also smaller prizes, in cash and in the form of paid trips, cars, and other gifts along the way, which are awarded to whichever team wins a particular leg of the race. It’s never explicitly stated though how much, if anything, the teams that don’t place first are given as compensation for their efforts.

The amount of cash given to non-winning teams has not been confirmed by CBS, but according to Men’s Health, every team does get some form of a payout. Aside from the $1 million earned by the team in first place, Men’s Health reveals the runners-up get $25,000 between them. The team in third earns $10,000. The lowest cash prize, awarded to the team in eleventh place, is reportedly $1,500, with the team placing tenth receiving $2,500. From there, the winnings increase incrementally by $500 all the way through fourth place.

At first glance, these payouts and prizes seem pretty generous. However, given how much money is taken out in taxes, plus the income lost by contestants during filming, it doesn’t turn out to be so much for most. According to season 21 competitor Mark “Abba” Abbattista, who spoke with The A.V. Club, he actually lost money in the process. He also mentions that the so-called “paid” vacations teams win throughout the race are not really all-expenses-paid when it comes down to it. Though airfare and accommodation are covered, food is not, meaning you may end up spending a lot while on a holiday for which you didn’t even choose the destination. Abba also adds that the trips and other non-monetary prizes are taxed heavily, just like the cash. For this reason, many contestants choose to sell their prizes, or to give them as gifts, to avoid the hefty taxing to come later on.

For the winners of The Amazing Race, there’s no doubt that the grand prize makes a significant difference in their lives, even after tax. This is likely also the case for the teams that place second and third. For the rest of the teams, the adventure of the race itself, plus the possibility of a little extra take-home pay is enough to make the whole experience well worth it.

Source: Men’s Health, The A.V. Club

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