Phil Keoghan revealed that his last encounter with his late father occurred while preparing for Season 39 of The Amazing Race. He spoke about it ahead of the new season, which premieres this week. Read on for more details.
A Meaningful Return
During his 2025 return to his native New Zealand to scout for the upcoming season of The Amazing Race, Phil Keoghan’s father, John, was seriously ill in a nearby hospital.
Speaking with Parade, he said, “On a personal level, it was a special time because my dad was in hospital at the time and very sick.”
Keoghan said, “I made a promise to the leaders in the city that one day I would come back with Amazing Race if it was still on, and I would show off the new city.”
A Final Goodbye
The show returned to New Zealand for the first time since Season 22 in 2013. The return trip turned out to be a deeply personal one for the host.
When the crew arrived to film the episode, John managed to get to the Pit Stop in the Botanic Gardens.
Keoghan told Parade, “He mustered all his strength to come down to be there with me.”
His dad wasn’t a stranger to BCS show. Back in Season 13, he appeared as a Pit Stop greeter.
Keoghan added, “And my dad turned up, and all the crew that remembered him from Season 13 were remembering him, and we all took photos. And that was the last time I saw my dad. That was it.”
John passed away on November 15, 2025, at the age of 83. He was an agricultural scientist and also made a cameo on Tough as Nails.
Strategic Game Changes
Deadline noted that the season starts in Vancouver, Canada, and features a big game mechanic from the start.
All 13 teams get an Express Pass at the starting line. However, they have to use it by the end of Leg 6.
The Competition Begins
The Amazing Race Season 39 premieres with a two-night event on CBS, starting September 30. The new season covers five continents, nine countries, 13 cities, and 25,000 miles across 12 legs.
The race moves through Spain, Morocco, Albania, Sri Lanka, Laos, Australia, and New Zealand before finishing in Honolulu.
What do you think about Phil Keoghan getting to see his dad while in New Zealand filming Season 39? Join the discussion below, and then come back here for more reality TV news, spoilers, and updates.