Dylan Matter Age & Biography

Dylan Matter is a 19-year-old college student from San Diego, California, who raced on The Amazing Race 39 with his grandfather, Doug Matter. The grandfather-and-grandson team were eliminated in seventh place in Leg 7, ‘The Amazing Nightmare,’ which aired November 4, 2026, ending their run in Sri Lanka. Dylan brings youth, speed and energy to the team, while Doug, a 73-year-old retired fire chief, brings leadership and calm.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Dylan Matter
Age	19 years old
Occupation	College student
Hometown	San Diego, California, USA
Team	Doug and Dylan (grandfather and grandson)
Known For	The Amazing Race 39
Nationality	American

Who Is Dylan Matter?

Dylan Matter is best known as a contestant on The Amazing Race 39, the 2026 season of the CBS reality competition. He is racing with his grandfather, Doug Matter, a retired fire chief, and the pair represent San Diego, California. Before the race, Dylan was a college student, and the race is his first major television appearance.

On the show, Dylan has had to balance speed with patience, learning when to push hard and when to slow down and work through a task carefully with his grandfather. That balance has been tested by the team’s early struggles, but their bond has kept them going when other teams might have fallen apart.

Early Life & Background

Publicly shared details about Dylan Matter’s early life are limited, with cast announcements focusing on his studies and his family team. He is from San Diego, California, and he is the grandson of Doug Matter. As a college student, Dylan is at the start of his adult life, and the race offers him a very different kind of education, in travel, teamwork and resilience.

Dylan’s youth is a clear asset on physical tasks, while his grandfather’s experience helps on strategy and decision-making. Together, they cover a wide range of strengths, and their age gap, more than fifty years, makes them one of the most distinctive teams in the season.

Career & Journey on The Amazing Race

Dylan and Doug began The Amazing Race 39 in fourth place on Leg 1, when they also won an Express Pass. They then finished tenth on both Leg 2 and Leg 3, and ninth on Leg 4, before recovering to sixth on Leg 5. On Leg 6 they finished last, in eighth place, but survived because that leg was a non-elimination leg.

That run shows a team that repeatedly avoided elimination by the narrowest of margins. In Leg 7, ‘The Amazing Nightmare,’ in Sri Lanka, Dylan and Doug finished seventh and were eliminated, ending their race after seven legs. Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman won the leg, and seven teams remained in the race.

Facts About Dylan Matter

Dylan Matter is 19 years old and is a college student.
He is from San Diego, California, and races with his grandfather, Doug Matter.
Doug is a 73-year-old retired fire chief, making them a grandfather-and-grandson team.
The team won an Express Pass on Leg 1 and survived a last-place, non-elimination finish on Leg 6.
Dylan and Doug were eliminated in seventh place in Leg 7, ‘The Amazing Nightmare,’ which aired on November 4, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Dylan Matter?

Dylan Matter is 19 years old.

Who is Dylan Matter’s teammate on The Amazing Race 39?

Dylan Matter races with his grandfather, Doug Matter, a 73-year-old retired fire chief from San Diego.

What does Dylan Matter do?

Dylan Matter is a college student.

Is Dylan Matter still racing on The Amazing Race 39?

No. Dylan and Doug were eliminated in Leg 7, ‘The Amazing Nightmare,’ on November 4, 2026, finishing seventh.

Where is Dylan Matter from?

Dylan Matter is from San Diego, California, USA.