Race Across the World — Series and Live Experience

Introduction

The race across the world is a compelling concept that blends low-budget travel, strategy and human drama. The BBC television series and its offshoot live event tap into public interest in adventure, teamwork and cultural discovery. Both the on-screen competition and the family-friendly live experience offer accessible ways to witness or try a globe-spanning challenge without flights or phones — a formula that has drawn viewers and participants since 2019.

Main body

The TV series

First broadcast on BBC Two from 3 March to 7 April 2019, Race Across the World switched channels and has been presented on BBC One from 2023. The format strips contestants of flights and phones and challenges pairs to reach a distant finish line on a constrained budget. The programme has featured multiple series and notable pairs: Series 1 (2019) winners Elaine Teasdale & Tony Teasdale; Series 2 (2020) winners Emon Choudhury & Jamiul Choudhury; Series 3 (2023) winners Tricia Sail & Cathie Rowe; Series 4 (2024) winners Alfie Watts & Owen Wood; and Series 5 (2025) winners Caroline Bridge & Tom Bridge. Actor John Hannah is associated with the show’s presentation. The BBC continues to produce related content, including trailers and reunion episodes, and promotes new series and episodes through its channels.

Race Across The World: The Experience

Complementing the broadcast series is Race Across The World: The Experience, a live adventure designed for groups, families and friends. The event is split into three legs and typically lasts about two to three hours. Along the route participants can rest at checkpoints where the race timer stops. Teams play only with their own group, though other teams may be visible nearby, recreating the competitive feel of the TV show in a condensed, family-friendly format.

How to watch and participate

The BBC supports the franchise with on-demand access via iPlayer, trailers and related programming such as Celebrity Race Across the World. Viewers interested in taking part can find application information through the BBC’s supporting content pages.

Conclusion

Whether experienced on screen or in person, race across the world continues to attract audiences by combining real-world navigation with human stories. For viewers and participants, the series and the live event offer different but complementary ways to engage: watch the evolving ITV of teams on the BBC, or try the condensed, family-friendly experience locally. With ongoing series and public events, the franchise remains a prominent example of experiential entertainment with broad appeal.