Season 12 of The Amazing Race Canada is currently racing across the country on CTV — and if you’re already thinking about Season 13, you’re not too early. You’re right on schedule.

Casting for Season 13 (branded as “Amazing Race Canada 2027”) hasn’t opened yet. But this show runs on a clockwork annual cycle, and based on how the last several seasons have played out, we can map almost exactly when the call for applications will drop, what you’ll need to qualify, and how to get your team ready before the rest of the country notices.

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When Will Season 13 Casting Open?

Look at the pattern from the last two cycles and it’s remarkably consistent:

  • Season 11: Renewed September 2024. Casting opened October 8, 2024.
  • Season 12: Renewed September 10, 2025. Casting opened October 7, 2025. Closed December 15, 2025.

Both times, the casting call landed within about four weeks of the renewal announcement, and the renewal itself came right on the heels of the previous season’s finale. Season 12 is set to wrap its run in September 2026. Following that exact rhythm, expect:

  • Renewal announcement: Early-to-mid September 2026
  • Casting opens: First or second week of October 2026
  • Application deadline: Mid-December 2026

If that holds, “Amazing Race Canada 2027” applications will be a short, roughly ten-week window in the fall of 2026 — not sometime next year. Mark your calendar for late September through early October 2026 and start refreshing CTV’s casting page around then.

Season 13 Filming & Premiere Timeline (Predicted)

Season 12 filmed from April 20 to May 15, 2026, then premiered July 7, 2026 — about eight weeks after wrapping production. Applying that same gap to Season 13:

  • Filming: Likely mid-April to mid-May 2027
  • Premiere: Early-to-mid July 2027, Tuesdays on CTV

None of this is official yet, and CTV could always shift the calendar. But this show has run this exact playbook for over a decade, so treat these as strong estimates rather than guesses.

Who’s Eligible to Apply

Eligibility rules shift slightly year to year (mostly just the specific dates), but the core requirements have stayed consistent since the show launched:

  • Citizenship: Canadian citizen or permanent resident — no exceptions
  • Age: 19+ by the application deadline (confirm the exact cutoff date once the Season 13 call is live)
  • Passport: Valid Canadian passport, since international legs are always a possibility
  • Driver’s license: Valid Canadian license, typically required to remain valid for several months past the anticipated filming start
  • Team structure: You must apply as a pair with a genuine pre-existing relationship — couples, siblings, best friends, parent-child duos. Strangers teaming up for the show isn’t allowed
  • Health: You’ll need to be in good physical and mental condition; the race is genuinely demanding, and producers screen for this

One thing worth flagging: several past seasons have specifically called out parent/child duos and long-term friend pairs as team types producers actively want to see. If that’s your situation, it’s worth leaning into in your application video.

What Changed in Season 12 That Could Carry Into Season 13

Season 12 introduced a twist where every team received an Express Pass right at the starting line in Whistler — a departure from past seasons where Express Passes had to be earned or found mid-race. The season also leaned harder into casting recognizable names: an Olympic athlete, YouTube personalities, working musicians, and a former Miss Universe Canada title-holder were among the ten teams.

That’s a real signal for anyone applying to Season 13. The show isn’t just looking for “adventurous and relatable” anymore — having some kind of public profile, however small (a YouTube channel, a modest following, a local sports background) appears to be giving applicants an edge. It doesn’t mean you need to be famous, but if you or your teammate have any kind of platform or notable personal story, don’t bury it in your application.

Route-wise, Season 12 covered British Columbia, Ontario, and Manitoba with stops at Union Station in Toronto and a Viking-themed task in Gimli. Expect Season 13 to again mix major cities with at least one unexpected regional stop.

How to Apply — Step by Step

Once the official call goes live, the process typically works like this:

  1. Fill out the online application on CTV’s official casting page (CTV.ca/TheAmazingRaceCanada-casting)
  2. Submit one joint application for both team members — photos and details for each person, but a single combined form
  3. Upload a short video showing your team’s dynamic, energy, and why you’d be worth watching
  4. Wait for the review process — producers do rolling reviews, so applying early in the window matters more than people think
  5. If selected, expect interviews and background checks between submission and the final cast announcement, typically over the following couple of months

How to Make Your Application Stand Out

A few things that consistently separate memorable applications from forgettable ones:

  • Show your real dynamic, not a performance. Producers can tell when a video is staged versus when two people are just being themselves under a bit of pressure.
  • Be upfront about friction points. Teams that acknowledge what they argue about or where they clash tend to read as more authentic than teams that present themselves as flawless.
  • Have a clear “why.” What’s the story behind your partnership? A well-told relationship history goes further than a highlight reel of extreme sports you’ve done.
  • Don’t trash previous racers. Comparing yourself favorably to past contestants reads as arrogant, not confident — producers have flagged this as a turn-off directly.
  • Address your team’s biggest handicap honestly. If money, mobility, or nerves are a real challenge for your pair, naming it upfront tends to land better than pretending it isn’t there.

FAQ

Can solo applicants find a partner through the show?

No. You need to apply as an already-formed team with a genuine relationship — the show doesn’t pair up strangers.

Do both teammates need to submit separately?

No, one joint application covers both of you, including both sets of photos and details.

Can dual citizens apply?

Generally yes, as long as you hold valid Canadian citizenship or permanent residency alongside whatever other citizenship you hold — but always confirm against the official FAQ once the Season 13 call is live.

Is there an age maximum?

No official upper limit — the show has cast contestants well into their 50s and 60s. The only hard cutoff is the minimum age requirement.

Can you reapply if you didn’t get picked before?

Yes. Plenty of racers who’ve eventually made it onto the show applied in previous years first.

Will Season 13 include international legs?

Unconfirmed. Recent seasons have stayed domestic, but the franchise has occasionally floated stops tied to Canadian heritage abroad. This will be confirmed once route details are released.

This page will be updated the moment CTV officially opens Season 13 casting — bookmark it and check back starting September 2026 for the real dates, deadlines, and application link.