History of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans in Timeline

Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans is the 50th season of the reality TV show Survivor, set to premiere on February 25, 2026. Filmed in Fiji's Mamanuca Islands, it marks the show's 25th anniversary. This season uniquely incorporates game mechanics and production designs selected by fans through an online vote held during Survivor 48. This element emphasizes fan involvement in shaping the show's direction.

December 15, 2023: Contract Renewal

On December 15, 2023, the Fijian Parliament renewed its contract with Survivor for an additional two years.

April 27, 2024: Returning Players Announcement

On April 27, 2024, Jeff Probst announced that the 50th season of Survivor would feature returning players.

August 2024: Casting Update

In August 2024, Jeff Probst stated that the casting team had narrowed down the list of potential players for Survivor 50 from 200 to 100.

October 2024: Loyalty to Survivor

In October 2024, when asked about players taking offers from other shows, Probst noted that some players expressed exclusive interest in returning to Survivor, which the casting team appreciated.

February 2025: Casting List Update

By February 2025, the list of potential players for Survivor 50 had been reduced to 50.

February 22, 2025: Season Title Announcement

On February 22, 2025, Probst announced the season as Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. Viewers were given the opportunity to vote on game mechanics and production choices for the season.

February 26, 2025: Voting Begins

On February 26, 2025, during the premiere of Survivor 48, voting began for game mechanics and production choices that would appear on Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

April 2025: Diversity Initiative Discontinued

In April 2025, CBS formally discontinued its casting diversity initiative, which previously required at least half of the cast to be BIPOC. Survivor 50 is the first season to not follow this initiative.

May 28, 2025: Cast Reveal

On May 28, 2025, the cast of Survivor 50 was officially revealed, announcing 22 of the 24 players. The remaining two players from Survivor 49 will be revealed later. The cast is also the largest cast the show has had to date, with 24 contestants.

June 6, 2025: Filming Begins

Filming for Survivor 50 began on June 6, 2025. The premiere episode will run for three hours.

December 17, 2025: Final Cast Members Revealed

On December 17, 2025, following the Survivor 49 finale, the final two cast members for Survivor 50, both from the preceding Survivor 49, were revealed, completing the full cast of 24 players.

January 30, 2026: National Scavenger Hunt

On January 30, 2026, the series launched a national scavenger hunt with 50 immunity idols hidden in each of the 50 U.S. states, with each person who finds an idol entered into a grand prize sweepstakes to attend the live final in Los Angeles.

February 9, 2026: "The Road to 50" Reruns Begin

On February 9, 2026, CBS began airing 10 reruns of classic Survivor episodes programmed as "The Road to 50." These episodes are key points in the Survivor 50 cast's journey to the season.

February 25, 2026: Survivor 50 Premiere

Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans is scheduled to premiere on February 25, 2026, on CBS. This season celebrates the show's twenty-fifth anniversary and commemorates the fans by featuring game mechanics and production designs chosen by an online public vote.