The Challenge Season 42 “Cutthroat” Moves to Paramount+

Season 42 of *The Challenge*—titled The Challenge: Cutthroat—will debut on Paramount+ on Wednesday, Aug. 5 (2026) at 12 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET. Filmed in Thailand, the competition pits 24 returning players and newcomers against one another for a $500,000 grand prize. Contestants are divided into three teams; only the team that crosses the finish line together can claim a share of the money, and the winning captain alone decides how the prize is split.

The Challenge season 42 sets premiere date as MTV hit moves to a new network

The series originated on MTV in 1998 as *Road Rules: All Stars* and later became *Real World/Road Rules Challenge*. After nearly three decades on cable, the flagship show is shifting exclusively to the streaming platform Paramount+. Season 42 revives the Cutthroat format, first used in Season 20 (2010), marking the format’s second incarnation.

The Challenge season 42 sets premiere date as MTV hit moves to a new network

• TJ Lavin returns as host, guiding the new “Cutthroat” gameplay.

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• Veteran competitors include Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio, CT Tamburello, Tori Deal, Brad Fiorenza, Cara Maria Sorbello, and Chris Underwood.

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• Nelson Thomas re-enters the arena after a 2023 car accident that led to a foot amputation; he will compete with a prosthetic, a first for the series.

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• The full cast also features reality alumni from *Survivor*, *Big Brother*, *Love Island USA*, *The Amazing Race*, and other franchises, as listed in the official press release.

The Challenge season 42 sets premiere date as MTV hit moves to a new network

• 24 competitors (veterans and newcomers).

The Wrap

• Three teams must cooperate to finish the race.

The Challenge season 42 sets premiere date as MTV hit moves to a new network

• $500,000 prize pool, divided at the captain’s discretion.

The Challenge season 42 sets premiere date as MTV hit moves to a new network

• Filming location: Thailand’s lush landscape.

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• Production credits: Bunim/Murray Productions; executive producers Julie Pizzi, Justin Booth, Jacob Lane (Banijay); co-executive producers Diego Amson, Brad Tiemann, Joe Awful; supervising producer Margaret Morales.

Deadline Hollywood

Paramount+ describes the season’s premise as a “ruthless battle for a share of the $500,000 grand prize,” emphasizing that “nominated captains must balance their hunger for dominance with the need for loyalty, or risk losing their power while solo players must prove they can be team players.” Host TJ Lavin clarified that “the winning captain will be the sole decider on how to split $500,000” and hinted at a new “Trial by combat” twist.

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Some long-time fans expressed disappointment that the series will no longer air on MTV, fearing reduced accessibility for viewers accustomed to cable. Commentary from fan-focused outlets notes that the move “makes sense for the series moving forward” but acknowledges that “it’s tough for long-time fans” who have followed the show since its early *Real World/Road Rules* days.

The Challenge season 42 sets premiere date as MTV hit moves to a new network

• “Let the cutthroat begin,” — Nelson Thomas

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• “I’m figuring out every way I can screw my team in every way possible,” — Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio

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• “They are not ready for this,” — CT Tamburello

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• “24 players, three teams, and in the most ruthless move ever, the winning captain will be the sole decider on how to split $500,000.” — TJ Lavin

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• “Someone’s going to die tonight!” — Tori Deal

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Episodes will drop weekly on Paramount+ beginning Aug. 5, with the series slated to run through the summer and into a fall finale, concluding the first Paramount+-exclusive season of *The Challenge*.

The Challenge season 42 sets premiere date as MTV hit moves to a new network