Race Across the World is actually on tonight thanks to a huge schedule change that could leave fans fuming
Viewers might be caught off guardRace Across the World will actually be airing tonight – and the switch up is likely to infuriate some fans.
The BBC show has been playing out on Thursdays for the last six weeks like clockwork.
At 8pm on the dot, fans have been tuning in to find out how the teams are getting on with their gruelling 12,000km race.
But as they enter their penultimate leg, viewers could end up missing the show entirely.
Here’s what you need to know to make sure you don’t fall victim!
Race Across the World schedule change
Race Across the World fans will this week watch as the four teams head into their final country of the competition; Mongolia.
Kush and Jo are currently in the lead, having made it to last week’s checkpoint first. They were an impressive 14 hours ahead of everyone else.
In second place is Mark and Margo, followed by Harrison and Katie. Andrew and Molly are in fourth place.
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The teams need to travel from Ulgll to Kharkhorin, which is a 1,550km journey across unpaved roads and remote tracks. The weather is bitter and they need to rely on car shares with strangers and hitchhiking for much of the leg.
But you need to keep your wits about you, as you could end up missing the episode.
The BBC has thrown in a schedule change to keep us on our toes. This week, Race Across the World will air tonight (Wednesday May 13, 2026), instead of tomorrow.
Eek. There are definitely going to be some unhappy fans tomorrow when they turn on the TV at 8pm to realise they have missed it!
Why is Race Across the World on tonight instead of tomorrow?
There is a big reason this week’s Race Across the World has been brought forward by a day. One word: Eurovision.
The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final 2026 is in its usual 8pm slot tomorrow instead. It is the second semi-final and will air live from Vienna in Austria.
Fifteen more acts will be taking to the stage in hope of winning a place in Saturday’s main Eurovision Song Contest. There are 10 places up for grabs.
UK entrant, Look Mum No Computer – aka YouTube singer Sam Battle – will be performing for his chance in the competition, so Eurovision fans won’t want to miss it.
When is Race Across the World: The Final 2026?
The good news is that things are back to normal next week. Race Across the World will be back on BBC One at 8pm on Thursday (May 21, 2026).
And this is definitely not one to miss. It is the final!
The team that makes it to the eighth checkpoint first will walk away with a cool £10,000 in cash and a bucket full of memories.
That’s not quite the end, either. There will also be a special Race Across the World: The Reunion episode on BBC One on the same night.
It’s six months since the teams competed against each other on the show and they can’t wait to share the highs and lows of their experience. The Reunion will also feature lots of unseen footage from the race.
It’s difficult to work out who is going to win!
