Dylan Matter

Dylan Matter is a USC student and The Amazing Race season 39 contestant who competed alongside his grandfather, retired fire chief Doug Matter.

Biography

Dylan Matter is a college student from San Diego who competed with his grandfather, Doug Matter, on The Amazing Race season 39.

The Amazing Race season 39 with his grandfather Doug Matter.

The Amazing Race season 39 with his grandfather Doug Matter.^[1]

Career 1
Studying at USC
In September 2026, USC’s Annenberg Media identified Matter as a sophomore studying public relations and advertising. He grew up in the Chula Vista area of San Diego.^[4]
Career 2
A promise made while watching television
He began watching the series with Doug at eight and asked his grandfather to apply with him when he turned eighteen.^[4]
Career 3
Trips with his grandfather
Their shared activities included camping, mountain biking and national-park visits. They also went skydiving when Dylan turned eighteen.^[4]
Career 4
Taking on memory and navigation
Matter told Annenberg Media that he planned to handle memory tasks and directions, while Doug would tackle building and height-based challenges.^[4]
Career 5
A long-established partnership
Host Phil Keoghan told Parade that Dylan had spent considerable time with Doug growing up. Their race began at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver. After filming, Dylan said they had continued speaking almost daily.^[5]^[4]