‘Survivor 50’ will allow fans to vote on putting key elements into the game

The Survivor 48 premiere is just days away. But at an advance screening of the episode in New York City, host and showrunner Jeff Probst broke some big news about an eagerly anticipated future season that is sure to get fans excited — because they will get to make the call when it comes to several key elements in the game.

For Survivor 50, which will begin filming in a few months and will start airing in Feb. 2026, producers and CBS are putting the season “in the hands of the fans.” Quite literally as that is the official title. Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. But it’s not just a title: Viewers will also be able to vote in a series of categories that will determine the course of what unfolds on the island.

The first round of voting will commence during the Survivor 48 premiere on Feb. 26, and fans will be able to vote on a special website. There will then be additional voting categories added throughout the spring leading up to filming on the season. Some of the decisions fans will be in charge of include: “Idols or No Idols,” “Final Four Fire Making: Keep It or Lose It” and “Live Finale and Reunion Show in L.A. – or Keep the Winner Reveal and Aftershow in the Jungles of Fiji.” However, none of the results will be revealed to the actual contestants until they are on the island playing the game. (Sneaky!)

This marks the most power viewers have had since a fan vote selected the final cast for Survivor: Cambodia — Second Chance back in 2015, and to help whip the fanbase into a frenzy, CBS also released the official Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans logo, which can be seen below.

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“From the very first season, Survivor has been evolving,” says Probst in statement released with the news. “Now, for our 50^th season, it’s time for the next evolution. Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans is unlike anything we’ve done before. For the first time ever, our loyal fans will take control — deciding key elements of the game, from twists to idols to advantages. I can’t wait to see what the fans choose for our returning players!”

But producers aren’t just turning their power over to the viewers in terms of controlling key aspects of Survivor 50; they will also be flying people out to watch Survivor 50 in action. Survivor has partnered with Fiji Airlines to fly five lucky groups of fans to Fiji during filming to see all the iconic locations and behind-the-scenes areas while also getting some face time with the Hostmaster General himself. (Hopefuls can submit their entry videos here.)

It’s all part of a season-long initiative to pay tribute to the folks that have supported Survivor 25 years. And the way this franchise is going… perhaps another 25 to come.