Survivor 50 Challenge: All About How to Begin Your Search for Idols and What the Winners Will Be Awarded

‘Survivor’ host and executive producer Jeff Probst.Credit : 

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty

Survivor 50 is “in the hands of the fans.”

The upcoming season of the long-running reality competition series will be a historic one, and viewers at home are invited to participate in the special occasion — without even having to travel to Fiji to do so.

The Survivor 50 Challenge will test fans as they work to solve clues and find immunity idols hidden across the United States.

“Survivor has always been about testing yourself — solving problems, facing the unknown and finding out what you’re made of,” Jeff Probst said in a statement. “For 25 years, fans have watched players take that journey. Now, with the Survivor 50 Challenge, we’re letting fans try it for themselves!”

“This goes way beyond finding idols, it’s a chance to step into the game like never before,” the Survivor host and executive producer continued. “America has watched players outwit, outplay and outlast for decades — now it’s your turn. The hunt is on. Time to dig deep!”

Here’s everything to know about the Survivor 50 Challenge, including how to enter and what the special grand prize will be for those who find an immunity idol.

What is the Survivor 50 Challenge?

The Survivor 50 Challenge is a nationwide treasure hunt where an immunity idol will be hidden in each of the 50 American states.

Survivor fans — longtime and new — will have a chance to participate in the reality competition series as they search for idols right outside their backyards.

According to Paramount, the search will be unique to each state. The idol hunts will prompt players to go on various adventures, including exploring caves in Kentucky, “chasing the glow of ice in New Hampshire” and even “uncovering a nod to Jeff Probst’s roots in Kansas.”

How do I enter the Survivor 50 Challenge?

Fans can sign up by going to the Survivor 50 Challenge website, and entering their email address to receive alerts, challenge details, updates and more.

Potential participants who sign up on the website will also find out when the clue for their state’s idol will be revealed.

When does the Survivor 50 Challenge start?

The Survivor 50 Challenge starts on Jan. 30. Season 50 of Survivor will premiere nearly a month later on Feb. 25.

To celebrate the milestone season, Survivor fans will be getting their hands dirty while searching for idols. But Probst has also called for more fan participation in the future, including in the show’s challenges.

“What I would love to do is be able to create an app where you put all of the elements from all of our challenges into the app, and let fans go in and say, ‘Have you thought of this?’ ” he told Parade in December 2025. “Because I know there are fans right now that would find a new way to create a new challenge. That’s where I’d like Survivor to go.

“I’d like to get more fan involvement about creating the design of the game. Because anybody can do it,” Probst continued. “There’s no secret to it. I’d love to make it more inclusive, and maybe that’s something we can pull off in the future.”

What do the winners of the Survivor 50 Challenge get?

Those who find the hidden idols must submit photographic evidence to the Survivor 50 digital hub to “officially qualify for the grand prize sweepstakes.”

Winners will be selected “from eligible entries in all 50 states” and receive an exclusive invitation for themselves and a guest to attend the season 50 live post-finale reunion.

A lucky extra winner will also be chosen through a digital component on the Survivor 50 Challenge online hub, per Paramount.

In total, 51 fans will attend the special event.

Will Survivor 50 have a live reunion?

Yes, following a fan vote, the live finale will return for Survivor season 50.

Survivor‘s live finales used to be a staple of the series, but the tradition stopped during the pandemic, per Entertainment Weekly.

On Jan. 11, Probst announced the comeback of the live finale in an ad during the 2026 Golden Globes.

When is the Survivor 50 live reunion?

The Survivor 50 live post-finale reunion will happen on May 20 in Los Angeles.

According to Paramount, the special live event will be “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to witness the epic conclusion and be part of this milestone season.”