# Drag Race Down Under vs World spin‑off

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/drag-race-down-under-vs-world-spinoff
> Updated: 2026-07-29T05:00:00.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

In July 2026 the Australian‑New Zealand franchise of RuPaul’s Drag Race announced a new “vs the World” spin‑off, moving production from Auckland to a set built in Portugal. The format pits five local queens against international all‑stars from the United States, Britain, Spain and the Philippines and will stream on Stan and World of Wonder’s global platform. Host Rhys Nicholson expressed optimism about the larger production and its appeal to wider audiences.

The series premiered with its first episode, which was filmed in Portugal and featured a diverse lineup of Australian contestants alongside queens from other countries. The debut earned a 9.2 / 10 rating on IMDB, with reviewers praising the energy, diversity and comedic moments, describing it as “pure joy and fun.” The positive reception marks a turnaround after a turbulent previous year that saw the show cancelled and a fourth season that struggled with low rankings within the global franchise.

## Claims

- The fifth season of Drag Race Down Under is a “vs the World” spin‑off featuring five Australian and New Zealand queens competing against international all‑stars from the United States, Britain, Spain, (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The new season is being filmed in Portugal after previously being shot in an Auckland studio. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The series will air domestically on Stan and internationally on World of Wonder’s streaming platform. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Judge Rhys Nicholson expressed excitement about the larger production for the new season. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The 2024 fourth season of Drag Race Down Under showed a marked improvement after earlier seasons were ranked among the worst of the franchise. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-29: Drag Race Down Under launches “vs the World” spin‑off filmed in Portugal

Drag Race Down Under’s fifth season becomes a “vs the World” spin‑off, filming in Portugal with international contestants and airing on Stan and World of Wonder.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/drag-race-down-under-launches-vs-the-world-spinoff-filmed-in-portugal

### 2026-07-25: Drag Race Down Under vs the World debut episode earns high IMDB rating

The debut episode of Drag Race Down Under vs the World, filmed in Portugal, earned a 9.2/10 IMDB rating, featuring a diverse cast of queens and praised for its energy and humor.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/drag-race-down-under-vs-the-world-debut-episode-earns-high-imdb-rating

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Cite as: Drag Race Down Under vs World spin‑off. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/drag-race-down-under-vs-world-spinoff