Doug Matter Age & Biography

Doug Matter is a 73-year-old retired fire chief from San Diego, California, who is racing on The Amazing Race 39 with his grandson, Dylan Matter. The grandfather-and-grandson team were still racing after Leg 6, despite a difficult middle stretch that included two tenth-place finishes, and their survival into the later legs is one of the season’s most heartwarming stories. Doug brings decades of leadership and calm under pressure to the race, while Dylan, a 19-year-old college student, brings youth and speed.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Doug Matter
Age	73 years old
Occupation	Retired fire chief
Hometown	San Diego, California, USA
Team	Doug and Dylan (grandfather and grandson)
Known For	The Amazing Race 39
Nationality	American

Who Is Doug Matter?

Doug 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 grandson Dylan Matter, a college student, and the pair represent San Diego, California. Before the race, Doug served as a fire chief, a career defined by leading teams, making decisions in emergencies and staying calm when conditions are at their worst.

On the show, Doug has become a fan favourite for his determination and his bond with Dylan. At 73, he is one of the oldest racers in the season, yet he has kept pace through six legs, showing that experience, teamwork and persistence can matter as much as speed.

Early Life & Background

Publicly shared details about Doug Matter’s early life are limited, with cast announcements focusing on his fire service career and his family team. He is from San Diego, California, and he is the grandfather of Dylan Matter, a 19-year-old college student. That three-generation gap between grandfather and grandson is the team’s defining feature, and it gives their race a different emotional centre from the other teams.

As a retired fire chief, Doug spent his working life leading crews and responding to emergencies, experience that translates well to the race’s high-pressure tasks. Fire service leadership requires clear communication, trust and quick thinking, and Doug has drawn on all three as he and Dylan have navigated the route.

Career & Journey on The Amazing Race

Doug and Dylan began The Amazing Race 39 in fourth place on Leg 1, when they also won an Express Pass, a strong start for a team many viewers may have underestimated. They then slipped to tenth place on both Leg 2 and Leg 3, and were ninth on Leg 4, a run that put them in danger. They recovered to sixth on Leg 5, and although they finished last, in eighth place, on Leg 6, they survived because that leg was a non-elimination leg.

That survival kept one of the season’s most popular teams in the race. As of the Leg 6 results, Doug and Dylan remained in the competition, with no elimination, and they continued into the next leg alongside the other remaining teams, with the Express Pass from Leg 1 still part of their story.

Facts About Doug Matter

Doug Matter is 73 years old and is a retired fire chief.
He is from San Diego, California, and races with his grandson, Dylan Matter.
Dylan is a 19-year-old college student, 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.
After Leg 6, Doug and Dylan were still racing on The Amazing Race 39.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Doug Matter?

Doug Matter is 73 years old.

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

Doug Matter races with his grandson, Dylan Matter, a 19-year-old college student from San Diego.

What did Doug Matter do for a living?

Doug Matter is a retired fire chief.

Is Doug Matter still racing on The Amazing Race 39?

Yes. After Leg 6, Doug and Dylan were still in the race and had not been eliminated.

Where is Doug Matter from?

Doug Matter is from San Diego, California, USA.