After 5 years, ‘Survivor’ will resurrect its live finale format for Season 50 following nationwide fan-voting polls.
During the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, January 11, longtime “Survivor” host Jeff Probst revealed that, as a result of last year’s “In the Hands of the Fans” voting polls, the show’s upcoming milestone 50th season will once again see the return of its live finale format.
Fans haven’t seen a live finale, which sees the season’s winner announced at a live reunion taping in Los Angeles, since its 40th season – “Winners at War” – in 2020. In the interim, known to fans as the “New Era” of “Survivor,” the victorious castaway has been revealed on-location in Fiji; a facet that has long been criticized over the course of the show’s last nine installments.
Now, for “Survivor 50,” not only will the live finale be returning, but CBS is giving everyday fans of the long-running reality competition series a chance to secure a seat at the taping, but only if they can manage to get their hands on one of the 50 Hidden Immunity Idols stashed across the country as part of the “Survivor 50 Challenge.”
Jeff Probst Confirms: Live Finale is BACK for Season 50
“We are celebrating something really special: Our 50th season,” said Probst in an ad that aired during last night’s Golden Globes ceremony. “Here’s what we’ve done: We have hidden 50 immunity idols – one in every state. Your job? Solve the clues, find an idol, and you got a shot at something really cool.”
After explaining how the coast-to-coast scavenger hunt will work, Probst revealed that the fans who manage to get their hands on one of the hidden immunity idols will join himself and the entire cast of “Survivor 50” at the live finale taping in Los Angeles later this spring.
The exact finale date remains unconfirmed, but is speculated to fall on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
“That’s right! You voted, the finale is back!” the host added. “See you in Los Angeles.”
Further details on the “Survivor 50 Challenge,” including clues on where to uncover the hidden immunity idol in your state, can be found on Survivor50Challenge.com, where fans can sign up for alerts to stay connected for challenge details, updates, rewards, and other exclusive content in the run-up to the milestone season’s epic three-hour premiere on Wednesday, February 25 at 8:00pm ET on CBS.
‘Survivor 50’s Tiffany Nicole Ervin Hides First Immunity Idol at Golden Globes
The first of the immunity idols has already been hidden by “Survivor 50” castaway Tiffany Nicole Ervin during last night’s Golden Globes ceremony.
“Nikki Glaser just gave me this Hidden Immunity Idol, and I’m about to hide it at the Golden Globes,” said Ervin in an Instagram video posted before the awards ceremony began.
The contestant, who originally appeared on Season 46, can then be seen running around the venue looking for the perfect hiding spot for the idol.
It remains unclear as to whether or not Tiffany’s idol was one of the 50 that will earn a fan a one-way ticket to the Season 50 live finale or not, or if it was uncovered by one of the celebrities attending last night’s event.
‘Survivor’ Stars Applaud the Long-Awaited Return of Live Finales
(Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)Regardless, “Survivor” fans and former players alike are thrilled to see the return of the live finale.
“We see our future and it’s bright,” commented Season 50 castaway and former series champion Dee Valladares on the announcement post on the show’s official Instagram page.
“Nature is healing,” added “Survivor: All-Stars” alum Rob Cesternino, who recently appeared on Season 4 of Peacock’s “The Traitors” after being cut from the Season 50 cast.
“Finally we can talk about the fact that there will be a live finale!!!!” wrote Benjamin “Coach” Wade, who will make his fourth series appearance in the upcoming milestone season.
He was joined in his praise by castaway Rizo Velovic, one of two Season 49 players who impressed CBS enough to earn a spot on the record-breaking Season 50 cast, who wrote, “Live Finale?!?? OH WE ARE SO BACK.”
