Amazing Race Suomi season 3

Amazing Race Suomi
Season 3
Presented by	Heikki Paasonen
No. of days	26
No. of teams	11
No. of legs	12
No. of episodes	12
Release
Original network	Nelonen
Original release	15 November 2025 (2025-11-15) – present
Additional information
Filming dates	3 May (2025-05-03) – 28 May 2025 (2025-05-28)
Season chronology
← Previous Season 2

This is the third season of Amazing Race Suomi (English: Amazing Race Finland), a Finnish reality competition show based on the American series The Amazing Race . Hosted by Heikki Paasonen, it features eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship and including at least one celebrity contestant, competing in a race around Eurasia to win €30,000. Starting from Helsinki, the racers travelled through Cambodia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, before finishing at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. The season premiered on 15 November 2025, much later than the previous seasons due to EuroBasket 2025, on Nelonen and is set to conclude on 14 February 2026.

Production

Development and filming

Eleven teams began the third season at the Suvilahti cultural center in Helsinki.

On 3 May 2025, Nelonen announced that Amazing Race Suomi was renewed for a third season with production beginning on the same morning at the Suvilahti cultural center in Helsinki. ^[1] Host Heikki Paasonen announced on his Instagram page that the filming had concluded after 26 days on 28 May 2025. ^[2]

The Express Pass from the previous season returned and was awarded to the first place team during two legs with the recipients having to use it within the span of three legs.

Casting

Casting for this season took place at the end of 2024. ^[3]

Release

Broadcast

Upon the start of the production, the third season of Amazing Race Suomi was announced to premiere in November 2025. ^[4] Mirko Baas, the head of Nelonen's domestic content, stated that the season was delayed from its typical October premiere due to the network's coverage of EuroBasket 2025. ^[5] The first trailer for the season was published on the show's website on 24 October 2025. ^[6] The third season is set to air weekly until the sixth episode on 20 December, after which it will take a two-week hiatus before resuming its weekly airing until the finale on 14 February 2026. ^[7]

This season of Amazing Race Suomi had a behind-the-scenes podcast called Amazing-podcast hosted by contestants Mia "Millu" Haataja and Karoliina "Karo" Tuominen with episodes released on Supla following the broadcast release of each television episode. ^[8]

Cast

From left to right: Karri "Paleface" Miettinen, Tuukka "Leijonamieli" Rihkola, Arttu Lindeman, Jaakko Parkkali, Paula Noronen, Armi Toivanen, Mari Hynynen and Maria Guzenina

The cast for the third season consists of eleven Finnish celebrities and their relatives and/or friends. ^[9]

Contestants	Notability	Age	Relationship	Status
Karri "Paleface" Miettinen	Rapper	47	Rap Brothers	Eliminated 1st (in Siem Reap, Cambodia)
Tuukka "Leijonamieli" Rihkola	Rapper	43
Arttu Lindeman	Singer	28	Childhood Friends	Medically removed (in Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Jaakko Parkkali	YouTuber	29
Paula Noronen	Writer	51	Best Friends	Eliminated 2nd (in Mae Hia, Thailand)
Kati Launiainen	—N/a	49
Nina Tapio	Singer	53	Mother & Daughter	Eliminated 3rd (in Kandy, Sri Lanka)
Elsa Forsberg	—N/a	25
Tomas Grekov	Podcast host	30	Son-in-Law & Father-in-Law	Participating
Esko Rotola-Pukkila	—N/a	63
Armi Toivanen	Actress	44	Close Friends	Participating
Sari Majamaa	—N/a	46
Sara Sieppi	Television host & entrepreneur	34	Siblings	Participating
Artturi Sieppi	—N/a	31
Tuomas Peltomäki	Podcast host	43	Twins	Participating
Sini Peltomäki	—N/a	43
Mari Hynynen	Actress	55	Mother & Son	Participating
Joel Volanen	—N/a	25
Mia "Millu" Haataja	Radio presenter on Loop	32	Coworkers	Participating
Karoliina "Karo" Tuominen	Radio presenter on Loop	30
Maria Guzenina	Member of the European Parliament	56	Senior & Junior in Politics	Participating
Vilma Vähämaa	Citizen of the Year 2018	32

Results

The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order.

• A red placement with a dagger (†) indicates that the team was eliminated.
• A blue placement with a double-dagger (‡) indicates that the team was the last to arrive at a Pit Stop in a non-elimination leg, and had to perform a Speed Bump task in the subsequent leg.
• A purple ε indicates that the team used an Express Pass on that leg to bypass one of their tasks.

Team placement (by leg)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Sara & Artturi	5th	4th	2nd	5th	2nd	1st
Armi & Sari	9th	8th	5th	2nd	3rd	2nd
Maria & Vilma	2nd	1st	4th	4th	4th	3rd
Tomas & Esko	3rd	5th	8th	6th	1st	4th
Millu & Karo	4th	3rd	3rd	3rd	5th	5th
Mari & Joel	6th	9th	9th‡	7th	7th [a]	6th
Tuomas & Sini	10th	10th	7th	8th	6th	7th‡
Nina & Elsa	1st	2nd	1stε [b]	1st	8th† [a]
Paula & Kati	7th	6th	6th	9th†
Arttu & Jaakko	8th	7th	† [c]
Karri & Tuukka	11th‡	11th†

Notes

1. Nina & Elsa and Mari & Joel initially finished 7th and 8th respectively; however, Mari & Joel received a time credit due to receiving incorrect instructions from their teacher during the raban task. Mari & Joel thusly finished in 7th place and Nina & Elsa were eliminated.
2. Nina & Elsa used their Express Pass to bypass the Roadblock on this leg.
3. After Jaakko developed a fever that required medical attention, he and Arttu were removed from the competition.

Race summary

Destinations	Air travel    Rail travel    Water travel    Bus travel Helicopter travel    Bicycle travel    Gondola travel
Route Markers	Kiertotie (Detour)    Tiesulku (Roadblock)    Express–Passi (Express Pass) Hidaste (Speed Bump)    Etapin päätepiste (Pit Stop)

Leg 1 (Finland → Cambodia)

The first leg of the season saw the contestants visit the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap.

• Episode 1: "The Adventure Begins!" / Seikkailu alkaa! (15 November 2025)
• Prize: The Express Pass (awarded to Nina & Elsa)

Locations

• Helsinki, Finland (Suvilahti) (Starting Line)
• Helsinki (Helsinki–Vantaa Airport) → Siem Reap, Cambodia (Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport)
• Siem Reap (Royal Residence – Royal Independence Gardens)
• Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)
• Siem Reap (Phare Circus)
• Bakong (Royal Archery Club)
• Bakong (Bakong Temple)

Episode summary

• Teams began at the Suvilahti cultural center and had to search among over 1000 cardboard compass roses for one that pointed at 125° before learning their first destination: Siem Reap, Cambodia. Teams had to travel by bus, metro, tram or taxi to the airport with only 25 euros provided and choose a departure number in the ticketing hall.
• After arriving in Cambodia, teams were released at the Royal Independence Gardens in the order they arrived at the airport. There, teams found their next clue which instructed them to travel by tuk-tuk to Angkor Wat. Teams then had to correctly identify and arrange the names of ten of the temple complex's landmarks on a map to receive their next clue, which directed them to Phare Circus.
• This season's first Detour was a choice between Alone (Yksin) or Together (Kaksin). In Alone, team members had to pass a diabolo in the air to each other to receive their next clue. In Together, team members had to continuously juggle three balls between themselves for 30 seconds while standing next to each other to receive their next clue from the circus' director.
• In this season's first Roadblock, teams had to travel to the Royal Archery Club, where one team member had to randomly select an animal image and shoot a corresponding cutout with a bow and arrow to receive their next clue, which directed them to the Pit Stop: the Bakong temple.

Additional note

• This was a non-elimination leg.

Leg 2 (Cambodia)

Teams visited a floating school on the lake Tonlé Sap.

• Episode 2: "Crickets Are Playing In The Forest" / Sirkat soittaa salolla (22 November 2025) ^[a]
• Eliminated: Karri & Tuukka

Locations

• Siem Reap (Angkor Century Resort & Spa)
  • Siem Reap (Cambodian People's Party Building & Phalla Furniture Shop)
• Siem Reap (Pteah Changret Spoan)
• Siem Reap (Khvet Siem Reap)
• Siem Reap (Chong Khneas Pier) → Tonlé Sap (Chong Khneas – Floating Primary School)
• Siem Reap (Lotus Silk Farm)
• Siem Reap (Wat Damnak)

Episode summary

• At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to travel to the Pteah Changret Spoan cricket farm and fill a bucket with three kilograms of crickets before receiving their next clue. Teams then had to travel to the Khvet restaurant and eat a plate of fried crickets before receiving their next clue.
• For their Speed Bump, Karri & Tuukka had to load and deliver a bicycle with brooms to the Phalla Furniture Shop before they could continue racing.
• From the restaurant, teams had to travel to the Chong Khneas pier, pick up one bag of rice, take a boat into Tonlé Sap and deliver the rice to the principal of a floating school in exchange for their next clue. Teams then had to sing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" in Khmer before receiving their next clue, which sent them to a lotus farm.
• This leg's Detour was a choice between Flower (Kukka) or Bouquet (Kimppu). In Flower, teams had to search a lotus field for one tagged with an Amazing Race flag, which they could exchange for their next clue. In Bouquet, both team members had to fold the petals of ten lotus flowers in a specific pattern and arrange the flowers into two bouquets before receiving their next clue.
• After the Detour, teams had to check in at the Pit Stop: Wat Damnak.

Leg 3 (Cambodia → Thailand)

The third Pit Stop was located at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

• Episode 3: "Concentration On Test" / Keskittyminen koetuksella (29 November 2025) ^[a]
• Prize: A vacation at the Minivilla Lapland in Hämeenlinna (awarded to Nina & Elsa)
• Medically removed: Arttu & Jaakko

Locations

• Siem Reap (Angkor Century Resort & Spa)
• Siem Reap (Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport) → Chiang Mai, Thailand (Chiang Mai International Airport)
• Chiang Mai (The Empress Premier Chiang Mai)
• Fa Ham (Coconut Market)
• Chiang Mai (Lanna Traditional House Museum)
• Don Kaeo (Huay Tueng Thao)
• Chiang Mai (Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – Viewpoint)

Episode summary

• At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Once there, teams were released from The Empress Premier Chiang Mai in the order that they finished the previous leg. Teams then had to travel to the Coconut Market, carry coconuts using a basket and piece of bamboo, and fill a pitcher with coconut water to receive their next clue, which sent them to the Lanna Traditional House Museum.
• In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to meditate while balancing bowls of water on their backhands and head for fifteen minutes to receive their next clue.
  • Nina & Elsa used their Express to bypass the task.
• After the Roadblock, teams had to travel to Huay Tueng Thao reservoir and find their next clue by a Buddha statue.
• This leg's Detour was a choice between Rock (Rokkaa) or Build (Rakenna), each with a limit of five stations. In Rock, teams had to perform a bamboo dance called Lao Kra Top Mai to receive their next clue. In Build, teams had to build a bamboo raft, paddle into the reservoir to a towel rack and retrieve a towel, which they exchanged for their next clue.
• After the Detour, teams had to check in at the Pit Stop: the viewpoint of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Additional note

• Jaakko developed a fever in Cambodia that worsened to the point of needing medical attention once he was in Thailand. Due to the risk of developing myocarditis, Jaakko was no longer cleared to continue racing resulting in his and Arttu's removal from the competition. Due to this, there was no additional elimination at the end of this leg. ^[10]

Leg 4 (Thailand)

For one option in the Thai cuisine-themed Detour, teams had to peel shallots.

• Episode 4: "Challenging Details" / Haastavat yksityiskohdat (5 December 2025) ^{[a] [b]}
• Eliminated: Paula & Kati

Locations

• Chiang Mai (The Empress Premier Chiang Mai)
  • Chiang Mai (Phoenix Massage)
• San Phi Suea (Hidden Village Chiang Mai)
• Chiang Mai (Rama IX Lanna Park)
• Ban Waen (Raunkaew-Yanon Family Home Host)
• Mae Hia (Royal Park Ratchaphruek)

Episode summary

• At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to travel to the Hidden Village Chiang Mai theme park and find the dinosaur exhibition. Once there, teams had to solve a tangram puzzle resembling a dinosaur to receive their next clue, which sent them to the Rama IX Lanna Park.
• For their Speed Bump, Mari & Joel had to travel to Phoenix Massage, where Joel had to assist a massage therapist in giving Mari a Thai foot massage before they could continue racing.
• In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to choose a card that featured a species of snake, locate the same snake among various tanks containing different species and bring it to the expert to receive their next clue.
• After the Roadblock, teams had to travel to the Raunkaew-Yanon Family Home Host to find their next clue.
• This leg's Detour was a choice between Tom (ต้ม) or Tam (ตำ). In Tom, teams had to peel one kilogram of shallots to receive their next clue. In Tam, teams had to pound ingredients using a mortar and pestle and prepare a chili paste to receive their next clue.
• After the Detour, teams had to check in at the Pit Stop: Royal Park Ratchaphruek.

Leg 5 (Thailand → Sri Lanka)

The Detour during the leg in Sabaragamuwa Province was set at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

• Episode 5: "Manure Work" / Lantahommia (13 December 2025) ^[a]
• Eliminated: Nina & Elsa

Locations

• Chiang Mai (The Empress Premier Chiang Mai)
• Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai International Airport) → Colombo, Sri Lanka (Bandaranaike International Airport)
• Colombo (Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo)
• Colombo (Fort Railway Station) → Rambukkana (Rambukkana Railway Station)
• Molagoda (Jayapala Maha Vidyalaya)
• Pinnawala (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage)
• Pinnawala (Iparanigama Theme Park or Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage)
• Gannoruwa (Gannoruwa Rajamaha Viharaya)
• Kandy (Royal Botanic Gardens)

Episode summary

• At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Once there, teams were released from the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo in the order that they finished the previous leg and had to travel by train to Rambukkana.
• In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to shoot a hanging pot with a slingshot to receive their next clue.
• After the Roadblock, teams had to find their next clue outside of the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
• This leg's Detour was a choice between Wall (Seinä) or Worksite (Savotta). In Wall, teams had to mix water buffalo manure and clay and fill in a wall to receive their next clue. In Worksite, teams had to completely clean an elephant enclosure to receive their next clue.
• After the Detour, teams had to travel to Gannoruwa Rajamaha Viharaya, where they had to perform a Kandyan dance that involved spinning three raban drums on a three-pronged pole before receiving their next clue directing them to the Pit Stop: the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Additional note

• Nina & Elsa elected to quit the raban dance task and had to wait out a 90-minute penalty before receiving their next clue. They then checked into the Pit Stop in seventh place; however, Mari & Joel received a time credit due to receiving incorrect dance instructions from their teacher during the same task. As a result, Nina & Elsa were eliminated. ^[11]

Leg 6 (Sri Lanka)

Heikki told teams that they were still racing on the Mount Lavinia beach.

• Episode 6: "A Lump In The Throat" / Pala kurkussa (20 December 2025) ^[a]
• Prize: A vacation at the Villa Koivu in Lohja (awarded to Sara & Artturi)

Locations

• Colombo (Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo)
• Peliyagoda (New Manning Market)
• Colombo (Colombo Dutch Museum)
• Colombo (Pettah – Plaza Hotel & Bakes)
• Boralesgamuwa (B-Leaf Restaurant)
• Mount Lavinia (Mount Lavinia Beach)

Episode summary

• At the start of this leg, teams travelled back from Kandy to Colombo. Once there, teams were released from the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo in the order that they finished the previous leg and were instructed to travel to the New Manning Market in Peliyagoda.
• This leg's Detour was a choice between Cubes (Kuutio) or Calculus (Kalkyyli). In Cubes, teams had to deliver together two ice blocks to a vendor to receive their next clue. In Calculus, teams had to count the number of fish in a bin to receive their next clue.
• After the Detour, teams had to travel to the Colombo Dutch Museum, where they found a treasure chest with a combination lock. Teams first had to travel by foot to Plaza Hotel & Bakes and ask for two Kimbula buns in Sinhala. Along with the pastries, teams received a question asking them to find the year that the Dutch took control of Sri Lanka from the Portuguese (1658) and use the numbers as a combination to unlock the chest with their next clue.
• In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to roll two dice three times. The numbers on each die determined the food for a three-course meal of South Asian cuisine that racers had to eat before receiving their next clue, which directed them to the Pit Stop: the Mount Lavinia beach outside of the Berjaya Hotel Colombo.

Additional notes

• Millu & Karo received a 15-minute penalty for not carrying an ice block together during the Detour. ^[12]
• There was no elimination at the end of this leg; all teams were instead instructed to continue racing.

Leg 7 (Sri Lanka)

• Episode 7: "The Race Heats Up" / Kisa kuumenee (10 January 2026) ^[a]

Locations

• Colombo

Reception

Critical reception

Upon releasing the contestant roster for the season, the Finnish television consumers immediately picked up on their favourite teams, and least liked pairings. Some described the season's cast "boring" or "not interesting" compared to some of the best pairs of the previous two seasons, but many still find the show watchable. ^[13]

The season has also raised once again critique by having two participants who have took a side on the topic of climate change. Rapper and artist Paleface and politician Maria Guzenina have both critiqued "flying for fun" before, and this has risen heavy noise on the social platforms like Jodel, X and Facebook. ^[14]

Television ratings

The following ratings are taken from Finnpanel. ^[15]

No.	Air date	Episode	Weekly rank	Overnight viewers	Seven day viewers	Ref
1	15 November 2025	The Adventure Begins!	1	277,000	350,000	[16]
2	22 November 2025	Crickets Are Playing In The Forest	4	230,000	268,000	[17]
3	29 November 2025	Concentration On Test	1	279,000	325,000	[18]
4	5 December 2025	Challenging Details	3	225,000	300,000	[19]
5	13 December 2025	Manure Work	1	331,000	372,000	[20]
6	20 December 2025	A Lump In The Throat	1	344,000		[21]
7	10 January 2026	The Race Heats Up
8	17 January 2026	Mixing Placements

• Due to the finale of Petolliset , the premiere aired at 9:00 PM, with subsequent episodes airing at 7:30 PM. ^[22]
• Due to Independence Day programming on 6 December, the fourth episode aired one day early.

Notes

1. This episode was released one week early for purchase on Ruutu+.
2. Due to the network's Independence Day programming, this episode was aired one day prior to its usual schedule.

References

1. "Uudet Amazing Race Suomi -kilpailijat julkistettiin – mukana yllättäviä nimiä". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). 3 May 2025.
2. @heikkipaasonen; (28 May 2025). "Home" – via Instagram.
3. ""The firefighter had to get involved" -Sara Sieppi chose her little brother as the Amazing Race pair". TakeToNews. 3 May 2025.
4. "JULKISTUS: Tässä ovat uudet Amazing Race Suomi -kilpaparit! – kisa starttaa tänään!". Finnish News Agency (in Finnish). 3 May 2025.
5. "Nelosen suosikkiohjelma jää tauolle kesken kaiken – Tuotanto perustelee". Iltalehti (in Finnish). 11 November 2025.
6. "Tunteikas traileri nyt julki – Tältä näyttää uusi Amazing Race Suomi -kausi!". Ruutu+ (in Finnish). 24 October 2025.
7. "Nelosen jättiohjelma jää tauolle kesken kaiken – taustalta paljastuu yllättävä selitys". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). 11 November 2025.
8. "Amazing-podcast". Supla (in Finnish).
9. "Amazing Race Suomi saa jatkoa – Tässä ovat kilpailijat". Iltalehti (in Finnish). 3 May 2025.
10. "Dramaattinen käänne Amazing Race -jaksossa – Kilpailija joutuu tiputukseen: "Joudumme keskeyttämään"". Iltalehti (in Finnish). 29 November 2025.
11. "Shokkipudotus Amazing Racessa! Vastaavaa ei ole nähty koskaan: "Tehnyt ison virheen"". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). 13 December 2025.
12. "Amazing Race -moka kuohuttaa katsojia – "Ei mitään järkeä"". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). 20 December 2025.
13. "Amazing Race Suomen uusi kausi jakaa mielipiteitä – Yksi pari nousi heti suosikiksi". Iltalehti (in Finnish). 3 May 2025.
14. "Amazing Race Suomi -kisasta ryöpsähti jälleen kritiikkiä – yhden kilpailijan osallistuminen sai aikaan raivon". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). 7 May 2025.
15. "Finnpanel – TV Audience Measurement". Finnpanel .
16. "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". www.finnpanel.fi. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
17. "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". www.finnpanel.fi. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
18. "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". www.finnpanel.fi. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
19. "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". www.finnpanel.fi. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
20. "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". www.finnpanel.fi. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
21. "Finnpanel - TV Audience Measurement". www.finnpanel.fi. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
22. "Kiusallinen tilanne pysättää Amazing Race -parin etenemisen: "Kunnon kurap*ska"". Nelonen .

External links

• Amazing Race Suomi on Nelonen
• Amazing Race Suomi on Ruutu
• Amazing Race Suomi at IMDb