The finale of “The Challenge” season 41 officially closed out the era of Vets vs. New Threats, and fans are already turning their attention to season 42. Insider accounts and social media posts have sparked heavy speculation that the upcoming installment will adopt an Exes 3 format—one that could bring back some of the most recognizable names in Challenge history. With filming reportedly set for early 2026 and casting calls already in motion, the buzz is growing about what the next chapter of the long-running competition series will look like.
Casting Buzz for ‘The Challenge’ Season 42 Includes GOATS CT Tanburello & Johnny Bananas
According to well-known insiders Pink Rose and GamerVev, casting calls for season 42 have been underway for weeks. Early lists circulating on social media include heavy-hitters like Brad Fiorenza, CT Tamburello, Johnny Bananas, Mark Long, and Paulie Calafiore on the men’s side, while Nany González has been the most prominent confirmed woman.
A large pool of cast hopefuls remains “up in the air,” including Cory Wharton, Derrick Kosinski, Kyland Young, Jared Fields, Rogan O’Connor, and Tony Raines. The women’s list includes Amanda Garcia, Cara Maria Sorbello, Emily Seebohm, Michaela Bradshaw, Natalie Negrotti, and several “Big Brother” and “Too Hot to Handle” alumni.
One major update in the casting chatter involves veteran Theo Campbell, who confirmed on social media that he had been cut from season 42. Campbell competed on “The Challenge: War of the Worlds,” made the final, and quickly became one of the franchise’s strongest male competitors. His absence surprised many fans, especially since he just competed in the season 41 final. Campbell recently welcomed a baby boy, Atlas, with season 41 champion Olivia Kaiser, which could also explain his decision to sit out or production’s decision to move in another direction. Insiders noted that several “new threats” were cut at the same time.
One name fans fully expect to see again is Tamburello. The five-time champion has been posting intense workout videos tagged with the number 42, hinting at his return. After a disappointing season 41, he promised host T.J. Lavin he would “come back strong,” and his training suggests he intends to deliver.
Johnny Bananas, the franchise’s winningest competitor, has been open about wanting in. On a recent podcast with Leroy Garrett, Bananas said, via TikTok, “I put out the bat signal right now for next season, any able-bodied (expletive) person that we have that’s gonna bring some entertainment to the screen has got to come.” He added that season 42 will be crucial for the show’s future under its new parent company, Skydance.
Format Speculation: Will Season 42 Be an ‘Exes 3’ Edition?
Speculation around an Exes 3 theme has grown thanks to early casting invitations and the types of pairings fans expect producers to target. The show has used the Rivals and Exes formats before, but it has been nearly a decade since Exes 2 aired.
Insiders say the upcoming season will film for seven weeks starting in February 2026. This timeline mirrors season 41, which was filmed in Chile earlier this year before premiering in late July. If history repeats itself, fans can expect a late-summer 2026 premiere.
Where the new season will air is still up in the air. While MTV has traditionally been its home, Bananas predicted that “The Challenge” flagship may move to Paramount+ following corporate restructuring. “This is going to be one of the most important seasons… we are going to have to go show up and show out to prove… we are worth keeping around,” he said.
As always, MTV and Paramount have not confirmed casting or the format. But with top veterans openly training and hinting at returns, season 42 already promises to be one of the most talked-about seasons in years.
