Survivor already put its milestone season 50 in the hands of the fans, allowing viewers to vote on elements of the game.
Now, Survivor is literally coming to the fans.
Host and showrunner Jeff Probst made a special announcement ahead of the season 49 finale on Wednesday, Dec. 17, that “for the first time ever we are taking Survivor across America.”
It’s called the Survivor 50 challenge.
The challenge will feature an hidden immunity idol in each state.
And whoever finds it will be eligible for a prize. Idols have been a major component of the game for years and keeps castaways safe from the vote if played right.
It’s the ultimate scavenger hunt Survivor edition. Details are limited and the prizes weren’t revealed. But if we had a suggestion, a spot on a future season of Survivor sounds pretty good.
Here’s what to know about the Survivor 50 challenge:
What is the Survivor 50 challenge?
The anticipation has been building for Survivor 50 for quite a while from the fan votes earlier this year while season 48 aired this spring, to the season 50 cast reveal before the castaways flew out for filming to Fiji. Season 50 isn’t here yet, but Probst just gave fans another reason to get excited with the Survivor 50 challenge.
It was huge surprise for fans ahead of the season 49 finale.
“To celebrate we are inviting you to be part of the fun,” Probst said in a video posted to Survivor’s Instagram account. “This is your moment.”
Probst said Survivor has hidden an idol in every state. There will be clues to find these idols, and whoever finds it earns a shot at an “unbelievable prize,” he said.
Survivor 50 challenge website
To learn more about the Survivor 50 challenge, you need to to to survivor50challenge.com.
A message is displayed on the website that has a countdown for when the challenge begins.
It will start in 40 days from Dec. 17. That is Jan. 31, 2026, less than a month before season 50 begins.
“Solve the clues to find the Hidden Immunity Idol in your state and earn a chance to win an epic grand prize that will soon be revealed,” is also says on the site.
You’re asked to enter your email on the site.
How to play Survivor 50 challenge
Not everyone gets the opportunity to play Survivor but everyone can play the Survivor 50 challenge.
“A competition unlike anything we have done before,” the email says. “The stakes are high. The prizes are huge. And anyone can play.”
After receiving the first email, fans are directed that they’ll gets details “soon enough.”
But you’re instructed to “stay sharp, stay ready, and keep an eye on your inbox.”
Survivor 50 challenge location
Where will the idol be hidden in Wisconsin?
Will it be in the city, the country, in the northwoods, at a campgrounds or a popular landmark in the state?
Could it be in a hometown of one of Wisconsin’s Survivor players like Andrea Boehlke, who grew up in Random Lake, or a Survivor original, Sue Hawk, who was from Palmyra?
Survivor 50 premiere date
Survivor 50 premieres on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, on CBS. It will be a special three-hour episode.
Survivor 50 cast
The Survivor 50 cast features a star-studded 24-person cast, including one from the original season, at least two winners, and two from season 49 (these players have yet to be officially revealed). The game will begin with three eight-person tribes.
The confirmed cast is: Kyle Fraser, Kamilla Karthigesu, Joe Hunter, Genevieve Mushaluk, Charlie Davis, Tiffany Ervin, Q Burdette, Emily Flippen, Dee Valladares, Jonathan Young, Rick Devens, Mike White, Angelina Keeley, Christian Hubicki, Chrissy Hofbeck, Aubry Bracco, Benjamin ‘Coach’ Wade, Ozzy Lusth, Cirie Fields, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Colby Donaldson and Jenna Lewis Dougherty
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What is Survivor 50 challenge? Here’s how to play and what to know.
Reporting by Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
