If you’ve got a thirst for adventure, Race Across the World is an addictive show that will keep you on the edge of your seat every week.
It’s a very similar format to America’s The Amazing Race. Pairs are sent to a far corner of the world, without their smartphones and with limited cash, and given an end destination with five checkpoints along the way.
This year’s series will take place across China, India and Nepal, with the lowest budget for each team we’ve ever seen. If you’re also on your own travels while Race Across the World series 5 airs, never fear. There is a way to watch it from abroad.
When does Race Across the World series 5 release?
The wait is nearly over, because Race Across the World returns tonight, Wednesday 23 April 2025, at 9pm BST on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Watch the official trailer below:
How to watch Race Across the World series 5 from abroad
If you haven’t got access to BBC One, you can stream the latest series of Race Across the World on iPlayer, the BBC’s streaming service.
It’s available to everyone in the UK, but if you’re on holiday or abroad when Race Across the World airs (perhaps during the May bank holidays), you may be wondering how you can still watch so you don’t accidentally get spoilt.
That’s where a VPN (virtual private network) comes in. By rerouting your IP address, this technology allows you to access geo-blocked websites, so you can stream as if you’re in the UK – even if you’re not.
There are plenty of VPN providers that you can use to access BBC iPlayer, but we at Tech Advisor have found NordVPN to be the best combination of reliability, user-friendliness and affordability.
Once you’ve chosen your VPN, here’s what you need to do:
Sign up for NordVPN
Jim Martin / Foundry
You can sign up here. By default, the Complete plan is selected, but if you only need the VPN, click on Get Standard. At the top, choose between a two-year, one-year and one-month plan.
Follow the prompts to create your account and pay.
Install the NordVPN app
Jim Martin / Foundry
If you’re using a phone or tablet, just head to its app store and search for NordVPN, then install it.
If you’re on Windows, then log into your NordVPN account in a web browser, go to the Downloads section and click Download app next to Get NordVPN for Windows. Run the downloaded file to install it.
Launch NordVPN
Jim Martin / Foundry
Launch the app, and sign in using the email address and password you entered when creating an account with NordVPN. On Windows you should see a screen like this, but other apps are very similar.
Either use the list of locations (the word icon at the top left) or scroll the map to the UK and tap on Connect to London. If prompted, allow NordVPN to set up a VPN connection. You might have to enter your Windows password or, on a mobile device, your passcode.
Wait until the VPN is connected
Jim Martin / Foundry
You should see a message to tell you the VPN is connected. You can see this with the green CONNECTED and a padlock above United Kingdom.
Open iPlayer
Jim Martin / Foundry
Sign in with your BBC account (create one if you haven’t got one) and then find something to watch. It should play just fine as the VPN makes it appear that you’re in the UK.
If you’re a British resident with a paid-up licence fee, simply sign in to your BBC account and use a VPN service as described above. You’re still breaking the Ts and Cs by watching via a VPN, just like anyone abroad who signs up with a fake UK address.
