CBS Is Turning All 50 States Into a Real-Life 'Survivor' Game for the Show’s 50th Season

CBS is turning the entire country into a real-life game of Survivor.

To celebrate the milestone 50th season of the long-running reality competition, the network has announced the Survivor 50 Challenge, a first-of-its-kind nationwide scavenger hunt, which features hidden immunity idols across all 50 states and invites fans to outwit, outplay, and outlast in the real world.

Kicking off on Jan. 30, each state will conceal one authentic Survivor immunity idol, giving participants the chance to strategize, follow clues, solve riddles, and track down the prize in their own backyard. In total, 50 idols will be hidden nationwide, resulting in 50 winners.

Longtime host and executive producer Jeff Probst unveiled the activation ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of Survivor 50, which debuts Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026 on CBS and streams on Paramount+.

“Survivor has always been about testing yourself—solving problems, facing the unknown, and finding out what you’re made of,” 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 50 Challenge is meant to be inclusive to everyone from longtime viewers to casual fans and anyone who enjoys competition. Participants are encouraged to form their own “tribes,” enlist friends and family, and take on the hunt together in what CBS describes as a fun, family-friendly experience.

Clues and updates will be released through the Survivor 50 Digital Hub, a place where fans can sign up for alerts and learn when the challenge officially launches in their state. To qualify for the grand prize sweepstakes, players who successfully locate an idol must submit a photo wearing it. One additional winner will also be selected through an online component of the challenge, according to official rules. CBS has not yet revealed details about the grand prize.

Survivor airs on CBS Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT.