HaMerotz LaMillion 9, also known as HaMerotz LaMillion 2024, is the ninth season of HaMerotz LaMillion (, lit. The Race to the Million), an Israeli reality competition show based on the American series The Amazing Race, and the first installment of Channel 12's iteration of the show. Hosted by Yehuda Levi, replacing Ron Shahar who hosted the previous seasons of the show, it featured thirteen teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, in a race around the world to win ₪1,000,000. This season visited four continents and twelve countries and traveled over during twelve legs. Starting in Mýrdalshreppur, racers traveled through Iceland, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Senegal, Azerbaijan, Austria, Germany, Mongolia, South Korea, Vietnam, and New Zealand before finishing in Gibbston. New twists introduced in this season include Partner Swap. Elements of the show that returned for this season include the Fast Forward and the no-rest leg. The season was set to premiere in early 2024, although the premiere date was delayed by the Gaza war. The season premiered on 1 July 2024 on Channel 12 and concluded on 25 September 2024.
Sisters Lee and Anne Avrahami were the winners of this season, while niece and uncle Inbar Ben Atia and Avishai Regev finished in second place, and married parents Lior Dabach and Sapir Avisror finished in third place.
Production Development and filming
During finale press for the previous season, Ron Shahar said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic production for a subsequent season would happen after the countries to which the show would visit had sufficient vaccinated populations. Shahar reiterated that filming for a new season would happen as soon as possible in an interview after his elimination from The Singer in the Mask a year later. In October 2022, Channel 13 announced that it would be producing a local version of Peking Express instead of new seasons of HaMerotz LaMillion due to high production costs, with Peking Express estimated to cost 1.1 million shekels per episode rather than 1.5 million shekels for each episode of HaMerotz LaMillion.
On 11 November 2022, Channel 12 announced that it had acquired the rights to HaMerotz LaMillion and would be filming a new season in 2023. On 12 March 2023, Yehuda Levi was announced as the new host of HaMerotz LaMillion. Filming began in May 2023 (The Amazing Race 35 was filmed shortly after the conclusion of this season but aired before that). On 14 May 2023, racers were spotted in Málaga, Spain, by Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. fans there for the 2023 Basketball Champions League Final Four. On 9 June, filming occurred in Queenstown, New Zealand. After 35 days, filming concluded in mid-June. Promotion material released before the season began claimed that this season visited more countries that any other season of The Amazing Race globally. This season also includes first-time visits to Iceland, the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, the Arab world with Morocco, Senegal, Azerbaijan, Austria, Germany, and Mongolia.
Casting Casting for the season opened on 24 November 2022. Within a month, over 6,000 people had applied for the show. The cast was finalized in April 2023.
Release Broadcast The season was slated to release in early 2024; however, news coverage of the Gaza war delayed the programming blocks for Channel 12. On 26 June 2024, the premiere date was announced to be 1 July.
Marketing Sponsors for this season include Harel Group, Samsung, SKYMAX, Loacker, La Roche-Posay, Papaya Gaming, XL Energy Drink, and Elite Turkish Coffee.
Cast The cast includes Bnot Brak cast member Esti Socolovski, Tnuva vice chairman Guy Rosen, and Yiftach Ramon, son of Space Shuttle Columbia disaster victim Ilan Ramon. The cast was revealed on 1 July 2024.
ContestantsAgeRelationshipHometownStatus (מיכל מצוב) 29Internet Stars HaifaEliminated 1st(in Reykjavík, Iceland) (אלרום בן אברהם) 25 Petah Tikva (שחר אלבז) 27Mother/SonPetah TikvaEliminated 2nd(in Tangier, Morocco) (רונית אלבז) 56 (רחלי מזרחי) 39SistersJerusalemEliminated 3rd(in Marrakesh, Morocco) (מירי אליעזר) 42 (עמית חן) 30Best FriendsTel AvivEliminated 4th(in Dakar, Senegal) (רותם רביבו) 29 (עידן רוזן) 26Father/SonPetah TikvaEliminated 5th(in Baku, Azerbaijan) (גיא רוזן) 58 (חסי חסון) 52Mother/DaughterRishon LeZionEliminated 6th(in Munich, Germany) (ירין חסון) 24 (מודי ספורי) 46Business PartnersBat Yam Withdrew(in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) (מיקי ללום) 43 (אודי נאור) 28Childhood FriendsRamat HaSharonEliminated 7th(in Seoul, South Korea) (מתן עובד) 28 (סהר קורן) 29Army Friends Kfar HaNassiEliminated 8th(in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) (יפתח רמון) 31 Ramat Gan (איציק סוקולובסקי) 33Married Parents Bnei BrakEliminated 9th(in Queenstown, New Zealand) (אסתי סוקולובסקי) 31 (ליאור דבח) 30Married ParentsBe'er Ya'akovThird place (ספיר אביסרור) 28 (ענבר בן עטיה) 26Uncle/Niece GederaRunners-up (אבישי רגב) 44 Talmei Yehiel (לי אברהמי) 24SistersTel AvivWinners (אן אברהמי) 23 Future appearances In 2025, Yiftach Ramon competed on the eleventh season of Rokdim Im Kokhavim.
Results The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order. A placement with a dagger () indicates that the team was eliminated. An italicized and underlined placement indicates that the team was the last to arrive at a Pit Stop, but there was no rest period at the Pit Stop and all teams were instructed to continue racing. A indicates that the team won the Fast Forward. If placed next to a leg number, this indicates that the Fast Forward was available for that leg but not obtained. An indicates that there was a Duel on this leg, while an indicates the team that lost the final iteration of the Duel and received a 15-minute penalty. A or indicates the team who received a Yield; or indicates that the team voted for the recipient. A indicates the team who received a U-Turn; indicates that the team voted for the recipient.
+Team placement (by leg)Team123456789101112Lee & Anne7th1st3rd3rd7th4th1st2nd1st3rd1st1stInbar & Avishai8th9th5th7th4th7th3rd3rd3rd1st3rd2ndLior & Sapir9th8th2nd2nd2nd6th5th6th2nd2nd2nd3rdItzik & Esti2nd5th7th5th3rd2nd2nd4th4th4thSahar & Yiftach1st6th1st4th6th5th4th5th5thUdi & Matan3rd11th8th6th8th1st7th1stModi & Miki5th4th4th8th5th3rdHasi & Yarin11th7th10th9th1stIdan & Guy12th2nd9th1stAmit & Rotem4th3rd6thRacheli & Miri10th10thShahar & Ronit6thMichal & Elrom Notes
Voting history Teams may vote to choose either U-Turn or Yield. The team with the most votes received the U-Turn or Yield penalty, depending on the respective leg.
U-TurnYieldU-TurnYieldLeg #1234567810U-Turned/YieldedMichal & ElromRacheli & MiriSahar & YiftachRacheli & MiriSahar & YiftachUdi & MatanLior & SapirUdi & MatanLior & SapirLee & AnneResult7–1–1–1–1–1–14–4–2–1–16–2–2–13–2–2–1–1–13–2–2–1–13–1–1–1–1–14–1–1–13–2–13–1–1VoterTeam's VoteLee & AnneMichal & ElromShahar & RonitLior & SapirLior & SapirLior & SapirLior & SapirUdi & MatanUdi & MatanInbar & AvishaiInbar & AvishaiMichal & ElromRacheli & MiriRacheli & MiriHasi & YarinHasi & YarinHasi & YarinUdi & MatanLee & AnneLee & AnneLior & SapirRacheli & MiriRacheli & MiriRacheli & MiriLee & AnneLee & AnneLee & AnneUdi & MatanUdi & MatanLee & AnneItzik & EstiMichal & ElromShahar & RonitRacheli & MiriUdi & MatanUdi & MatanUdi & MatanUdi & MatanLior & SapirLee & AnneSahar & YiftachModi & MikiRacheli & MiriUdi & MatanUdi & MatanUdi & MatanLior & SapirModi & MikiLior & SapirLior & SapirUdi & MatanLior & SapirSahar & YiftachRacheli & MiriHasi & YarinHasi & YarinLior & SapirLior & SapirLior & SapirModi & MikiMichal & ElromSahar & YiftachRacheli & MiriSahar & YiftachSahar & YiftachSahar & YiftachSahar & YiftachHasi & YarinUdi & MatanUdi & MatanRacheli & MiriInbar & AvishaiUdi & MatanInbar & AvishaiIdan & GuyMichal & ElromSahar & YiftachUdi & MatanSahar & YiftachSahar & YiftachAmit & RotemMichal & ElromSahar & YiftachSahar & YiftachSahar & YiftachRacheli & MiriMichal & ElromLior & SapirLior & SapirShahar & RonitInbar & AvishaiRacheli & MiriMichal & ElromAmit & Rotem
Episode Titles Translated from Hebrew from the official website:
Race summary
Leg 1 (Iceland)
Airdates: 1, 2 & 7 July 2024 Eliminated: Michal & Elrom Locations Mýrdalshreppur, Iceland (Katla Geopark) (Starting Line) Reykjavík (City Center – Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur) Reykjavík (Hallgrímskirkja) Reykjavík (Sandholt Bakery) Bláskógabyggð (Heiðarbær – Johannes Animal Farm) Reykjavík (Álafoss Wool Store) Reykjavík (Reykjavíkurtjörn – Iðnaðarmannahúsið)
Episode summary (Episode 1) Teams began the race at the Katla Geopark in Iceland. After finding their first clue at a nearby glacier, one team member had to guide their partner, who was ice climbing up a glacial wall, to retrieve the six necessary puzzle pieces needed to complete a snowflake puzzle. Teams were instructed to drive to the center of Reykjavík and find their next clue at a place associated with an American president. They had to figure out that it was Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a hot dog stand visited by Bill Clinton in 2004. Episode summary (Episode 2) Teams were directed to Hallgrímskirkja and had to vote to U-Turn another team before searching inside the church. There, an organ player was playing "Ma'ale, Ma'ale" ("Up, Up") leaving teams to figure out that they had to go up to the bell tower. After purchasing tickets for the tower, teams received a sweater keychain that they would need later in the leg. Then, teams found their next clue instructing them to search for a building marked with an Amazing Race flag: the Sandholt bakery on Laugavegur. Outside the bakery, teams found a stand with 15 rjómabollur, a cream bun eaten during Bolludagur. Teams had to convince locals to purchase one for 500 króna and received their next clue if it contained jam. Otherwise, teams had to eat it before selling another. Teams then had to drive to a farm outside Reykjavík and find their next clue. Episode summary (Episode 3) This season's first Detour was a choice between Sitting () or Running (). In Sitting, one team member had to guide a horse through a course. Their partner had to ride the horse while balancing a stein of beer on a wooden spoon. After filling a tube at the end of the course with beer, teams received their next clue. In Running, teams had to herd 20 sheep into a pen before receiving their next clue. After the Detour, teams found the U-Turn reveal board before driving to their next clue at the Álafoss Wool Store in Reykjavík. There, teams had to find a sweater that matched their keychain before receiving their next clue, which directed them to the Pit Stop: Iðnaðarmannahúsið along Reykjavíkurtjörn. Additional notes Seven teams chose to use the U-Turn on Michal & Elrom. This leg was HaMerotz LaMillions 100th overall leg.
Leg 2 (Iceland → Spain → Gibraltar → Morocco)
Airdates: 8, 13, 16 & 17 July 2024 Eliminated: Shahar & Ronit Locations Reykjavík (Reykjavíkurtjörn – Iðnaðarmannahúsið) Reykjavík (Keflavík International Airport) → Málaga, Spain (Málaga Airport) Málaga (Port of Málaga – El Cubo) Málaga (Plaza de la Merced) Marbella (La Pesquera del Faro) Marbella (Playa de Rio Real – Tourist Booth) Gibraltar (Grand Casemates Square) Algeciras, Spain (Port of Algeciras) → Tangier, Morocco (Tanger Med) Tangier (Bab El Marsa – Ahmed Halia's Hat Store) (Overnight Rest) Tangier (Terrasse Borj al-Hajoui) Tangier (Jawad's Souvenir Store) Tangier (Tanger-Ville Railway Terminal)
Episode summary (Episode 4) At the start of this leg, teams were instructed to fly to Málaga, Spain. Once there, teams found a car outside of the airport with their next clue. For this season's only Fast Forward, one team had to drive to El Cubo. There, the team had to find a trumpet and a violin, musicians to play those instruments as well as a provided piano and drum set, and three people who had to sing "The Rain in Spain" from My Fair Lady in Hebrew. Lior & Sapir attempted the Fast Forward but were unsuccessful.