The BBC changed the broadcast schedule for Race Across the World in May 2026, moving the programme away from its usual Thursday evening slot to make room for Eurovision coverage.
The travel competition had been airing on BBC One on Thursday evenings, with viewers following five teams as they travelled thousands of miles across Europe and Asia. However, the broadcaster moved the penultimate episode to Wednesday 13 May, meaning viewers who expected to watch it at the usual time risked missing the instalment.
The change was linked to the Eurovision Song Contest, whose semi-final coverage occupied BBC One’s Thursday schedule. The adjustment also affected other BBC programmes during the same week.
Why did Race Across the World change its schedule?
Race Across the World had established a regular Thursday evening slot during its sixth series. The programme usually aired at 8pm on BBC One, allowing viewers to follow the teams’ progress each week.
The schedule changed during Eurovision week because the BBC needed to accommodate the song contest’s live coverage. Rather than leave the competition’s penultimate episode in its usual slot, the broadcaster moved it forward by one day.
The change meant the episode aired on Wednesday 13 May 2026 instead of Thursday 14 May. The altered schedule was particularly important for regular viewers who relied on the programme’s established weekly time.
The change was a broadcast scheduling decision rather than an indication that the series had been cancelled. The competition continued towards its final episode, with the remaining teams still racing to reach the finish line in Mongolia.
What happened in the sixth series?
The sixth series began on 2 April 2026, with five teams setting out on a journey of more than 12,000 kilometres across Europe and Asia. The route took them through Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, ending at Hatgal in northern Mongolia.
As in previous series, the teams had to navigate the journey without relying on air travel. They were required to plan their routes, manage their spending and find ways to reach checkpoints using other forms of transport.
The format places pressure on contestants to make decisions about travel, accommodation and money while dealing with unfamiliar places and changing conditions. The teams’ progress depends not only on their ability to travel quickly but also on how effectively they manage their limited resources.
The 2026 route presented a particular challenge because it crossed several countries and included significant changes in climate and terrain. The final stages took the contestants into Mongolia, where the landscape and colder conditions added another test to the journey.
When was the Race Across the World final shown?
The sixth series concluded on 21 May 2026, when the remaining teams reached the finish line in Mongolia. Childhood friends Jo Diop and Kush Burman, from Liverpool, won the competition and shared the £20,000 prize.
The final followed the teams as they tackled the last stretch of the journey towards Lake Khövsgöl, one of Mongolia’s best-known natural landmarks. The contestants had travelled thousands of miles across eight countries, relying on planning, teamwork and their ability to adapt when journeys did not go as expected.
The series also brought together people with different relationships and reasons for taking part, from friends and siblings to family members. Their progress provided the central focus of the programme, with each team facing the same broad challenge but making different choices along the way.
How can viewers watch Race Across the World?
The sixth series of Race Across the World has finished its original broadcast run, but viewers can check BBC iPlayer for available episodes and programme information. The BBC’s official programme pages provide details about the series, while its listings can help viewers check what is available to watch.
The May schedule change illustrates why viewers should check updated television listings during weeks when major live events affect the BBC’s usual programming. Regular slots can change when broadcasters make room for events such as Eurovision, particularly when both programmes are scheduled for the same evening.
For fans of Race Across the World, the sixth series offered another long-distance competition across several countries, culminating in a final race through Mongolia. The schedule adjustment changed when viewers could watch one episode, but the series continued to its planned conclusion.