The Challenge: Rivals
The Challenge: Rivals is the 21st season of the MTV reality game show, The Challenge. Rivals takes place in Costa Rica, Argentina, and Patagonia. The season used former cast members from The Real World and The Challenge. Rivals marked the first season of The Challenge to not include any cast members from cancelled series Road Rules. The season featured an incendiary format in which players were teamed with their arc
Season 21 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Challenge Season 20.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
The Challenge: Rivals is the 21st season of the MTV reality game show, The Challenge. Rivals takes place in Costa Rica, Argentina, and Patagonia. The season used former cast members from The Real World and The Challenge.
Rivals marked the first season of The Challenge to not include any cast members from cancelled series Road Rules. The season featured an incendiary format in which players were teamed with their arch enemies from past seasons of The Real World and The Challenge. The season premiered on June 22, 2011
Episode Guide
Season 21 Progress Shield
Welcome to the Jungle
Jun 22, 2011 · 42 min
Twenty-eight Challenge competitors arrive in Costa Rica only to find out that they will be teamed up with their biggest rivals. And a fight on night two sends one Challenger home e
Through The Looking Glass
Jun 29, 2011 · 42 min
On the first men's elimination day, the competition is crushing, and everyone is surprised at who ends up fighting for their lives in the Jungle. Jonna and Camilla have it out, but
Underdog Day Afternoon
Jul 6, 2011 · 42 min
A strong team struggles on the girls' elimination day.
D-DAY
Jul 13, 2011 · 42 min
The guys plot to send CT home, while Laurel and Mandi vie for his attention. Also: Kenny worries that he's lost his competitive edge.
Ill Communication
Jul 20, 2011 · 42 min
Things get heated between teammates Jasmine and Jonna, and a blowout between the girls changes the game. Meanwhile, Adam pursues Jenn.
Blow Up
Jul 27, 2011 · 42 min
Evan considers throwing a challenge as part of the guys' plan to get rid of CT. Meanwhile, CT finds himself in the middle of a love triangle with Mandi and Laurel.
Blood on the Dance Floor
Aug 3, 2011 · 42 min
One alliance begins to crumble after a brawl between Jenn and Cara Maria. Later, a surprise twist changes the game.
Cry for Me, Argentina
Aug 10, 2011 · 42 min
Some players crack under pressure as the final challenge approaches; Laurel defends Cara Maria after Wes and Paula drive her to tears.
The Storm Before the Storm
Aug 17, 2011 · 42 min
Two strong male teams fight tooth and nail in "T-Bone," the last elimination of the season. A clue sends the remaining twelve Challengers off to another destination, where they beg
At the End of the World
Aug 24, 2011 · 42 min
With the Final underway, teams thrive or fail based on their ability to work together. One male team and one female team will claim the title of Challenge champions.
Reunion
Aug 31, 2011 · 42 min
The "Rivals" cast reunites and dishes about what went down on the 21st season.
The S#!@ They Should Have Shown
Sep 7, 2011 · 42 min
Outtakes and previously unseen footage for the 21st season.