- Season 42 of The Challenge, titled Cutthroat, premieres on Paramount+ with 24 veteran competitors and a $500,000 prize up for grabs.
- The new season revives the franchise’s classic three-team format, with episodes streaming exclusively on Paramount+ starting at 3 a.m. ET / midnight PT.
- Contestants on The Challenge: Cutthroat must balance loyalty and strategy as they work together to reach the final and split the cash prize, filmed across various locations in Thailand.
The Challenge is back with a brand-new season, and longtime fans will notice one major change before the first elimination even begins.
Season 42, titled The Challenge: Cutthroat, premieres Wednesday, Aug. 5, exclusively on Paramount+, bringing together 24 veteran competitors and newcomers for another shot at Challenge glory. This season also revives the franchise’s classic three-team format, with players competing for a share of a $500,000 prize.
How to Watch ‘The Challenge’ Season 42?
The Challenge: Cutthroat premieres Wednesday, Aug. 5 exclusively on Paramount+.
New episodes begin streaming at 3 a.m. ET / midnight PT, following Paramount+’s standard release schedule.
Unlike many previous seasons, the new installment will not premiere first on MTV. Instead, the series is launching directly on Paramount+, where subscribers can stream every episode as it’s released.
New subscribers can try Paramount+ free for seven days before choosing a paid plan. Standard pricing starts at $8.99 per month for the Essential plan or $13.99 per month for the Premium plan. Students can receive 50% off a monthly subscription for their first year, while annual plans offer additional savings compared to paying month to month. Walmart+ members also receive the Paramount+ Essential plan at no additional cost as part of their membership.
What is ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’ about?
Season 42 features 24 competitors divided into three teams, combining Challenge legends with first-time players from shows including Big Brother, Survivor, Love Island, The Amazing Race and more. Teams must work together throughout the season, balancing loyalty and strategy while trying to reach the final together and split the $500,000 prize.
Among the returning veterans are Johnny Bananas, CT Tamburello, Cara Maria Sorbello, Cory Wharton, Michele Fitzgerald, Tori Deal and Nelson Thomas, while newcomers include Josh Goldstein, Anna Leigh Wilson, Reilly Smedley and Alexis “Lete” Lete.
The season is inspired by the original Cutthroat, which aired in 2010 and introduced the franchise’s memorable three-team format. While the new season features an entirely different cast and setting, it brings back the same emphasis on teamwork, strategy and survival.
Season 42 was filmed across Thailand, with production taking place in Bangkok, Pattaya and locations throughout the Chon Buri Province.
The Challenge: Cutthroat season 42 premieres Wednesday, August 5 at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT on Paramount+ with two back-to-back episodes. Subsequent new episodes drop every Wednesday at the same time.
This story was originally published byParadeon Aug 4, 2026, where it first appeared in theTVsection. Add Parade as aPreferred
