At a Glance
- Survivor drops 50 hidden immunity idols across America for fans to find starting Jan. 30
- Winners snag invites to the historic live finale reunion in Los Angeles on May 20
- One extra digital entrant also scores tickets, making 51 fans total at the event
- Why it matters: Viewers get to play the game themselves and reclaim a seat at the season’s end for the first time since the pandemic
Survivor is putting its milestone 50th season in the hands of its audience. A nationwide treasure hunt will send fans scrambling for real idols hidden in every state, and those who succeed earn a spot at the long-awaited live finale.
How the Survivor 50 Challenge Works
The concept is simple but ambitious: producers have stashed one idol per state. Each hunt is tailored to its location. Kentucky sends seekers into caves, New Hampshire has them chasing the glow of ice, and Kansas hides a nod to Jeff Probst’s roots.
To play, fans register on the official Survivor 50 Challenge website with an email address. Registrants receive alerts telling them when their state’s clue drops.
The hunt begins January 30, nearly a month before the season premieres on February 25.
Prize: Tickets to the Live Reunion
Anyone who finds an idol must photograph it and upload the proof to the digital hub. Eligible entries from all 50 states go into a sweepstakes. Winners receive:
- An exclusive invitation for themselves and a guest to the live post-finale reunion
- Travel to Los Angeles for the May 20 taping
Producers will also pick one additional winner through the online hub, bringing the total number of fan attendees to 51.
Probst Wants Even More Fan Involvement
The host sees the challenge as a first step toward deeper viewer participation. In a December interview with Parade he floated the idea of an app that would let fans design challenges using existing game elements.
“Because I know there are fans right now that would find a new way to create a new challenge,” he said. “I’d love to make it more inclusive, and maybe that’s something we can pull off in the future.”
Return of the Live Finale
Survivor’s live reunions ended during the pandemic. After a fan vote, the format returns for the golden anniversary season. Probst announced the comeback in an ad that aired during the January 11 Golden Globes broadcast.
Paramount bills the May event as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to witness the epic conclusion and be part of this milestone season.”
Key Takeaways
- Registration is open now at the Survivor 50 Challenge site
- First clue arrives January 30
- Idol finders have a shot at attending the May 20 live reunion
- Probst hopes future seasons will let fans help craft challenges
