The Challenge‘s flagship series is coming back this summer with a cast that’s bigger and better than ever before. Welcome to Battle of the Eras, a monstrous competition with 40 (!) cast members who will all be throwing down for their share of a whopping $1 million prize.
In the forthcoming 40th season (which premieres Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 8/7c on MTV), “the path to glory is far from easy, as they must first compete at the Era Invitational and eliminate the weakest links from within their own Challenge Era for only the best will earn a coveted spot on their team,” according to the season’s official description. “With relentless new challenges and twists, these seasoned Veterans are perpetually kept on their toes in the game they thought they had mastered.”
The full cast features 10 competitors from each era and is a mix of recent All Stars, flagship players and a few participants we haven’t seen in years. Era 1 has a stacked line-up featuring champs CT Tamburello, Jodi Weatherton, Darrell Taylor and recent returnee Rachel Robinson. The Era 2 team boasts a player we haven’t seen since she won her only Challenge back in 2006 — Aviv Melmed — plus heavy hitter Emily Schromm and fan favorite Cara Maria Sorbello.
Eras 3 and 4 include other familiar faces such as Tori Deal, Leroy Garrett, Jordan Wiseley, Nurys Mateo, Michele Fitzgerald and so many more (see below).
Catch preview special The Challenge 40: Battle for of the Eras: Countdown Begins airing Wednesday, Aug. 7th at 8/7c on MTV, in addition to a new season of MTV’s Official Challenge Podcast, with episodes dropping every Thursday following the premiere.
Scroll down to see some new photos and get the complete cast list separated by team. Then, hit the comments section and let us know who you’ll be rooting for!
Imagine if Survivor did a Battle of the Eras for season 50 by featuring four players from all five eras.
I like the idea but it would be so hard for some of the eras. LOL
I am excited for this! As someone who has watched the Challenge since the beginning (lord how old am I?) I love seeing some of the classics come back. The last season (39) was terrible with a lot of awful cast choices. I loved seeing the horrible Jay and Michelle get taken down though. Slime balls for sure!
I’m right up there with you in age probably lol yeah some of last season’s cast choices were suspect for sure.
I think outside of Leroy finally winning I think I’m era 1 because some of them actually kicked it off within the first 3 seasons… So if Mark were to win… wow
I don’t see Fessy so that’s a good thing. Wish Aneesa and Josh were also missing though.
While I agree with you, having Bananas and easy-on-the-eyes Horacio there makes up for it.
No Fessy = awesome. No Survivor Jay = awesome. (Like, never cast him again, please.)
I’d love to see what Hurricane Camila could do these days, though. Bummer to see so many of these legends without Nany, though.
As long as Josh the crybaby is back it’s a fail.
So Glad Emily is back 💖
This list was looking so good. Like really good. Then….Josh. Sigh. I can’t with him. Hope he and Michele are the first ones out –
This seems like the same regulars, especially Eras 1 and 2, just cut in a different way.
The contrived drama makes this unwatchable.
Take it out to pasture.
Will it be on Brit tv
Take CARA Maria out
Its Weird that Derek is in Eras 2 and Jonna is in Eras 3 but they were in the same season of the Real World plus started the Challenge in the same eras, Weird