Another season of The Amazing Race has come to an end, with best friend gamers Jack Dodge and Carson McCalley being crowned the winners of season 37 at the end of the finale on May 15, 2025. Siblings Han Nguyen and Holden Nguyen followed closely behind in second place, with married couple Jonathan Towns and Ana Towns taking up the rear in third place. Now, fans are wondering what the payout is for the final three.

What Is the Prize Money for Winning ‘The Amazing Race’?

During The Amazing Race, contestants get to travel the world for about one month, but they also have to endure some extremely rigorous mental and physical challenges along the way. It’s likely worth it for the chance to cross the finish line in first place and win a $1 million jackpot, though!

However, it’s worth noting that the winning team does not receive the full $1 million amount because the prize money is considered income and is subject to federal and state taxes, which vary depending on the winners’ state of residence.

Roby Sawyers, undergraduate director of NC State University’s Department of Accounting, broke down the amount winners might pay in taxes in a 2022 interview with The News & Observer.

“They most certainly will not keep the whole million dollars,” Sawyers said.

He continued, “If you look at the $1 million earnings like it’s the only income they have, my calculation has $300,000 taken out in federal taxes — 30 percent. But this number looks different with other income and children in your home.”

As for state taxes, Sawyers used The Amazing Race season 34 winners Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, who live in North Carolina, as examples.

“In North Carolina, we essentially have a flat rate at 5 percent,” he added. “So on top of the $300,000, you’re looking at another $50,000 in state taxes.”

But wait, there’s more. The winners may also be subject to state taxes in California, where The Amazing Race is based. If that’s the case, the amount would be closer to $400,000, according to Sawyers.

“It’s more confusing than it needs to be, but that’s probably how it’s going to work,” Sawyers said. “The bottom line is they’re going to be pretty doggone close to $400,000 in total taxes.”

Still, that would leave the first-place winnings at $600,000, which is nothing to scoff at!

Do 2nd and 3rd Place Win Money on ‘The Amazing Race’?

While the winners of The Amazing Race walk away with the highest payout, the second- and third-place teams reportedly get some prize money, as well. Men’s Health reported via a fan site in 2019 that the runners-up receive $25,000 to split between the two teammates. Meanwhile, the third-place team reportedly gets $10,000.

CBS has not confirmed the payout amounts for non-winning teams.

Do All Contestants on ‘The Amazing Race’ Get Paid?

According to Men’s Health, the team that is eliminated first reportedly receives $1,500, and the payout amount increases as teams get further in the race: “$2,500, $3,000, $3,500, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, $7,000” and so on.

In a 2013 interview with The A.V. Club, season 21 contestant Mark “Abba” Abbattista confirmed that teams receive a small sum of money for being on the show.

“I don’t know what they call it; it’s certainly not ‘paid,’ but you get some kind of money for the order that you come in,” he said.

However, Abba said contestants often “wind up losing money on it.”

“It cost me quite a bit of money to go on the show, just because I wasn’t working. I’m self-employed, so if I’m not bringing money in, it’s not coming in,” he continued. “I knew that was the cost for me wanting to do the show, and fortunately, I was able to do that. Still, it becomes a financial burden for some people. If mom and dad are going away and not getting paid for that period of time, and they don’t win, you’re not compensating yourself with that money.”

‘The Amazing Race’ Contestants Also Win Other Prizes

In addition to the money, teams that make it to the mat in first place throughout the race often receive other prizes, typically cars or vacations from sponsors like Travelocity and Expedia. However, Abba claimed that these trips were not “free” due to taxes.

“So if the trip is worth $10,000, guess what? You owe Uncle Sam $3,500,” he continued. “And they’re not all-inclusive. Your air is paid for and your hotel and they include some other things, like massages or a snorkel trip, but all the food is not included. So you’re spending money and going to places that you’re not necessarily interested in.”

Abba added, “I don’t know if a lot of people never use the trip or not, because it is an expense and not everyone has the resources to do that. It sounds good in theory, but I think a fair amount of them don’t get used. Of course, if you win the money, you can use the money to pay the taxes, and if you win a car, you can sell the car, which I think a lot of people do. I think a lot of people that go on these game shows might not be sophisticated enough to know that ahead of time. You think you’re winning, but it’s like, ‘Hold on. If I flew there myself, it would have cost me $300, but you booked a ticket and told me it’s a $6,000 flight.’”