Who Are Doug and Dylan Matter?
Doug and Dylan Matter are a grandfather-grandson duo who competed together on Season 39 of CBS’s The Amazing Race. The pair represented the San Diego area and brought a close family relationship and shared love of adventure to the competition.
Doug, known to Dylan as Pop, was 73 when he competed. Host Phil Keoghan described him as the oldest person to take part in the history of the show. Dylan was a teenage contestant and a 2025 graduate of Coronado High School in California.
Their race ended during the November 4, 2026 episode, when they were eliminated in Sri Lanka after falling behind during a difficult leg.
How Are Doug and Dylan Matter Related?
Doug Matter is Dylan Matter’s grandfather. The two have maintained a close relationship throughout Dylan’s childhood, spending time together on outdoor activities and travelling to different destinations.
Their connection to The Amazing Race began long before they appeared on television. Dylan started suggesting that they compete together when he was about eight years old. They had watched the programme for years and regularly discussed what they might do if they ever had the opportunity to race around the world.
Doug, whom Dylan affectionately calls Pop, also encouraged his grandchildren to choose experiences rather than material gifts for birthdays. Dylan often chose adventures, creating memories that included a biplane flight and a family trip to South Africa.
The pair also travelled to more than 40 national parks together. Their shared interest in exploring new places helped make the competition a natural extension of their relationship.
Doug Matter’s Career as a Firefighter and Fire Chief
Doug Matter has a long background in public service. He worked as a firefighter in El Cajon, California, for 23 years before serving as a fire chief in La Mesa and Alpine.
His professional experience gave him practical skills that could be useful during a competition involving construction tasks, problem-solving and physical challenges.
Doug is also an active outdoorsman who enjoys backpacking. His time with Dylan has included trips to national parks and other destinations, giving them experience travelling together before joining the CBS competition.
Dylan Matter’s Education and Baseball Background
Dylan graduated from Coronado High School in 2025. During his time at the school, he served as Associated Student Body president and represented students on the Coronado Unified School District board.
He also played baseball for four years, primarily as a right fielder.
His school activities reflected interests beyond sport. Dylan took part in school life and performed in a seventh-grade musical, where he played a leading villain role.
His relationship with Doug remained an important part of his upbringing. The two regularly spent time together, and their adventures helped prepare them for the unpredictable travel challenges of The Amazing Race.
How Doug and Dylan Prepared for The Amazing Race
Getting onto the show required more than simply submitting an application. Doug and Dylan went through several interviews and testing stages over approximately four months before learning that they had been selected.
Once they received confirmation, they began preparing by watching previous seasons and practising different skills.
Their preparation included archery, axe throwing, identifying world flags and learning country capitals. Dylan also practised driving a manual-transmission vehicle and reading paper maps.
Doug created Amazing Race-style clues and activities around San Diego so they could practise working together under pressure.
They also discussed how to divide responsibilities during the competition. Dylan planned to handle more physically demanding and memory-based tasks, while Doug felt more comfortable with building, cooking and challenges involving heights.
They entered the race with a simple goal: to enjoy the experience and make the most of the opportunity.
Doug and Dylan Matter on The Amazing Race Season 39
Doug and Dylan joined 12 other teams for Season 39 of The Amazing Race. The competition brought together pairs with different relationships, including friends, siblings, married couples and other family members.
Their grandfather-grandson partnership stood out because of their age difference and Doug’s experience. Phil Keoghan described Doug as the oldest person ever to compete on the series.
The pair faced the same pressure as the other teams, including navigation decisions, travel arrangements and physical tasks. Although they had prepared extensively, the race often required them to make quick decisions with limited information.
Their experience also showed how demanding the programme can be. In their pre-season interview, the two described long filming days, limited rest and the difficulty of completing challenges while travelling between locations.
Doug and Dylan were among the memorable teams competing in Season 39, alongside other contestants such as Riley Tejcek.
Why Were Doug and Dylan Eliminated from The Amazing Race?
Doug and Dylan were eliminated during Season 39, Episode 7, which aired on November 4, 2026.
The leg took place in Sri Lanka and included a live U-Turn vote. Doug and Dylan had already received an automatic U-Turn penalty after finishing the previous leg in last place, which put them at a disadvantage from the start.
They managed to move ahead of some teams at one stage, but navigation difficulties caused them to lose ground. They eventually reached the Pit Stop last and were eliminated.
Their departure ended a memorable run for a team whose main motivation had been to experience the adventure together.
Frequently Asked Questions About Doug and Dylan Matter
Who are Doug and Dylan Matter?
Doug and Dylan Matter are a grandfather-grandson team who competed on Season 39 of The Amazing Race. They are from the San Diego area and shared a long-standing interest in the show.
How old is Doug Matter?
Doug Matter was 73 when he competed on The Amazing Race Season 39. Host Phil Keoghan described him as the oldest person to compete in the show’s history.
How are Doug and Dylan related?
Doug is Dylan’s grandfather. Dylan affectionately calls him Pop, and the two have shared many adventures throughout Dylan’s life.
What did Doug Matter do for a living?
Doug worked as a firefighter in El Cajon for 23 years and later served as a fire chief in La Mesa and Alpine, California.
Where did Dylan Matter go to school?
Dylan graduated from Coronado High School in California in 2025. He was the school’s Associated Student Body president and served as a student representative on the Coronado Unified School District board.
Were Doug and Dylan eliminated from The Amazing Race?
Yes. Doug and Dylan were eliminated during Episode 7 of Season 39, which aired on November 4, 2026. Their race ended in Sri Lanka after they finished the leg in last place.
Why did Doug and Dylan compete together?
The pair had watched The Amazing Race for years. Dylan began suggesting that they apply together when he was about eight years old, and they eventually pursued the opportunity as a grandfather-grandson team.
