Emmy Predictions: Can The Traitors Score a Rematch Against RuPaul’s Drag Race and Other Competition Shows?

Last year, The Traitors delivered a stunning upset by winning the Best Competition Program Emmy, dethroning reigning champion RuPaul’s Drag Race (2018-21, 2023) along with other longtime winners like The Amazing Race, Top Chef, and The Voice. Now, all eyes are on whether Alan Cumming’s cutthroat castle of contestants can repeat its victory this year. There are five nomination slots from 50 submissions in the category.

Producer Sam Rees-Jones described Season 3 as featuring the “messiest” group of Traitors yet. Tensions flared when Survivor legend Rob Mariano clashed with drag star Bob the Drag Queen, leading to multiple banishments including their own. The season ended with four Faithfuls — Dolores Catania, Dylan Efron, Ivar Mountbatten, and Gabby Windey — splitting the $204,300 prize pot. The big question: will The Traitors go 2-for-2 in this Emmy category, or was last year’s win a fluke?

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 is the frontrunner in second place. Fan-favorite Onya Nurve won the competition and $200,000 prize, with Jewels Sparkles as runner-up. Their emotional performances, including heartfelt moments with their fathers, struck a chord with audiences and judges alike.

In third place, The Amazing Race aims to extend its record with an 11th win. Season 37 champions Carson McCalley and Jack Dodge won the $1 million prize after an intense globe-trotting race. The season also featured villainous contestants Jonathan and Ana Towns, showing again that Emmy voters often root for the bad guys.

Top Chef, seeking its second Emmy in this category, is in fourth place. The Canada-set season stars returning host Kristen Kish, winner of Season 10. Notably, Kish will compete in Season 4 of The Traitors in 2026, marking a crossover between two major competition shows.

Survivor rounds out the top five, recently earning buzz for a heartfelt Season 48 moment when contestant Joe Hunter supported autistic player Eva Erickson during a tough challenge. Season 50, currently filming, includes returning player and The White Lotus creator Mike White.

Emmy Predictions (Gold Derby Odds):

1. The Traitors — 13/8

2. RuPaul’s Drag Race — 37/10

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3. The Amazing Race — 5/1

4. Top Chef — 19/2

5. Survivor — 21/2

Potential Spoilers Include:

The Voice, Beast Games, Tournament of Champions, Is It Cake?, The Golden Bachelorette, Dancing With the Stars

Longshots Include:

Deal or No Deal Island, Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars, American Idol, Big Brother, The Masked Singer, MasterChef, America’s Got Talent

This year’s race promises intense competition and fierce debate over who will claim the Emmy crown. Will The Traitors replicate their surprise win, or will long-standing favorites reclaim their dominance?