Celebrity Race Across the World returns to our television screens tonight, where viewers will see four famous duos leave their phones, credit cards and home comforts behind for the journey of a lifetime. This series, returning to iPlayer and BBC One on Wednesday 28 October from 8pm, takes them on the ultimate adventure from Borneo across Southeast Asia to Melbourne, Australia.
Who are the Celebrity Race Across the World 2026 contestants?
Ella and Nana
Brit award-winning singer-songwriter Ella Eyre and her childhood friend Nana.
Jeff and Matt
Veteran sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling and his son Matt.
Princess and Junior
Influencer Princess Andre with her brother, musician Junior Andre, children of Katie Price and Peter Andre.
Sam and Kaz
Acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Sam Ryder with his best friend and tour manager Kaz.
28 October 2026 16:45 + more dates
Stevenson Square
Race Across the World: The Experience Manchester
Think you can do better than the celebs? Well, you can now play Race Across the World on foot right here in Manchester. Instead of traversing a prehistoric jungle like the celebrities in this series, you can instead take on the concrete jungle that is Manchester city centre as a fun, exhilarating challenge.
The experience is the official live version of the BBC series, made by Studio Lambert. Teams of two to eight players take on the route in 2 to 3 hours without breaks, with the fastest teams finishing in under an hour.
The game starts in Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter, finishes in the Castlefield Bowl area and covers about 4.5 km (3 miles) in three legs. Public transport is off limits, and it runs daily until 30 December.
How the race works
Gather at Stevenson Square and message “START” on WhatsApp to begin; only one team member needs to send replies. The route features three checkpoints with physical puzzles where the timer pauses so you can rest.
Along the way, take discounted breaks at partner venues, tackle fictional side jobs to boost your budget or score, and finish by unlocking and signing the guest book. You can book multiple teams together via your dashboard to race friends head-to-head, or compete against others on the main leaderboard.
How to get to the start point
The nearest Metrolink stop to Stevenson Square is Piccadilly Gardens, about a 5-minute walk away. Manchester Piccadilly rail station is about 10 minutes away on foot. There is no parking at the start, because the experience is a walking game.
Before you book
- Price: Tickets start from £40. Prices vary by timeslot, and slots are released in batches.
- Dates: Timeslots are available daily until 30 December.
- What to bring: A charged smartphone with internet access and comfortable shoes. The game runs in rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Bring a torch if you play after dark.
- Team set-up: Team names and phone numbers open seven days before your race. Your booking is loaded through the CityDays site after purchase.
- Age: You must be 18 to buy tickets. Under-18s need to come with a paying adult, and children under 10 go free.
- Access: There are step-free and dog-friendly route options, and the game is wheelchair-friendly. Carers and support workers can request a free ticket by email.
- Big groups: If your group is larger than eight, email the organisers for booking help.
You can check time slots and book Race Across the World: The Experience Manchester here.
