Dylan Matter is a 19-year-old college student from San Diego, California, who is racing on The Amazing Race 39 with his grandfather, Doug Matter. The grandfather-and-grandson team were still racing after Leg 6, and their season has been a story of survival, with two tenth-place finishes, a ninth-place leg, and then a recovery that kept them in the competition. 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 has repeatedly avoided elimination by the narrowest of margins, and their survival into the later legs has made them a team to watch. As of the Leg 6 results, Dylan and Doug remained in the race, with no elimination, and they continued into the next leg alongside the other remaining teams.
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.
- After Leg 6, Dylan and Doug were still racing on The Amazing Race 39.
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?
Yes. After Leg 6, Dylan and Doug were still in the race and had not been eliminated.
Where is Dylan Matter from?
Dylan Matter is from San Diego, California, USA.
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See also: The Amazing Race 2026 Cast.