Long-running reality series The Amazing Race has now filmed in more than 100 locations around the world, its host Phil Keoghan has revealed, highlighting the show’s massive global footprint while also acknowledging regions it deliberately avoids for safety reasons.
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Speaking in an interview with PEOPLE on January 24 during the launch of UFC on Paramount+ in Las Vegas, Keoghan said the Emmy Award-winning show has covered nearly every corner of the globe over its 25-year run. However, he made it clear that certain destinations remain off-limits.
“I don’t want to go into Ukraine,” Keoghan said, explaining that while the show had filmed there once before and he hoped to return someday, ongoing security concerns made it impossible at present. He added that similar concerns apply to Russia, despite The Amazing Race having filmed there multiple times in the past.
The decision, Keoghan noted, is rooted in safety. “Our whole thing is about being safe, right? We want to do something safe,” he said, referring to both contestants and production crews amid the years-long conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
During the interview, Keoghan also reflected on his personal connection to the show, revealing that his late father, John Keoghan, would have been his ideal partner if he were ever to compete. “He was super smart, very fit,” Keoghan said, sharing that his father passed away in November.
Commenting on contestant behaviour, Keoghan said many teams tend to overthink or panic during the race. He stressed that success often comes down to fundamentals. “Read the clue,” he said, noting how frequently teams lose time by rushing in the wrong direction.
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The Amazing Race first premiered in 2001 and follows teams as they race across countries, complete challenges, and navigate unfamiliar cultures. Over the years, the show has become one of television’s most recognisable global adventure formats, blending travel, strategy and human drama.