The Destination X Season 1 Finale Took a Wild Turn – Here's What Went Down; Winner Revealed

If you missed the epic Destination X finale Season 1, then grab a snack and settle in because the big reveal was nothing short of TV gold. Forget dramatic roses and overhyped tribal councils. This was a race of clues, deception, and mental warfare on wheels. And the winner? A quiet, clever bird watcher from Ontario named Rick Szabo who somehow managed to outwit influencers, strategists, and reality TV alphas alike.

Let’s dive into how Rick pulled off the win of the season, what went down in the finale, and why Destination X just might be your new favorite reality obsession.

Destination x finale

What Is Destination X Anyway?

Before we get into the grand finale, let’s take a moment to appreciate the chaos that is Destination X. It’s not your typical reality competition. Ten contestants hop on a blacked-out bus with no idea where they’re going. Their only mission? Figure out their location using subtle clues, wild guesses, and some strategic sabotage. The closer they are to the real destination, the better their chances of staying in the game. It’s like The Amazing Race met Survivor at a puzzle convention and had a slightly paranoid baby.

Rick Szabo: The Underdog Turned Champion

Nobody saw Rick Szabo coming. A bird watcher by trade from Picton, Ontario, Rick wasn’t the flashiest or the loudest, but he had one thing going for him: brains. And not just “I read the map” brains. We’re talking “I cracked the code behind your code while you were still looking for the clue” kind of brains.

Throughout the season, Rick played it cool. He let the others fight it out, all while quietly building alliances and paying close attention to the bus’s movement, the environment, and even trivia questions that could shift the entire game. When it came time to make strategic moves like bumping people back or choosing allies, Rick did it with the precision of someone who actually reads the terms and conditions before clicking “accept.”

The Season 1 Finale: Clocks, Clues, and One Big Win

The final episode dropped our last three contestants into the heart of London. Rick was up against Christian “Biggy” Bailey and Peter Weber. That’s right, Bachelor Peter made it all the way to the end. Shocking, we know.

After an elimination trivia round sent Biggy packing, Rick and Peter went head-to-head in a scavenger hunt that took them across London landmarks. They chased down clues like a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, an hourglass, and a $100 bill. Peter thought these led to the Tower of London. Rick, however, pieced it all together and correctly guessed Big Ben. And just like that, the quiet guy with binoculars became $250,000 richer.

Rick’s win wasn’t just satisfying. It was symbolic. In a show filled with flashy personalities and big egos, a calm, observant player took the prize. Destination X proved that reality TV doesn't always reward the loudest voice. Sometimes, it’s the person paying the most attention who walks away with the money.

Plus, Rick gave us hope that maybe, just maybe, being a trivia nerd with good instincts can get you somewhere. Like a quarter of a million dollars somewhere.

A Legendary Start for Destination X

Season 1 of Destination X delivered suspense, strategy, and just the right amount of petty. It kept us guessing and proved that this format has serious staying power. Rick Szabo’s win wrapped it all up with the kind of satisfying twist we rarely get in reality finales.

So what’s next for Rick? Will he spend his winnings bird watching in Bali or invest in noise-canceling headphones to forget all the bus drama? Who knows. But one thing is certain: Destination X just raised the bar for reality TV, and we’ll definitely be watching Season 2.

Loved the finale or have hot takes about the outcome? Drop your thoughts in the comments. We want to hear from you!