Survivor New Season Premiere: Start Date and Schedule Revealed

Casey Halston

Published: February 13, 2026 9:04 PM ET

Survivor New Season Premiere: Start Date and Schedule Revealed

Fans of “Survivor” gathered in Cincinnati for a unique event during the Survivor 50 Challenge. They participated in a nationwide idol hunt, with a hidden immunity idol located at the American Sign Museum. This exciting activity is part of the lead-up to the much-anticipated 50th season of the reality competition series.

Survivor 50 Premiere Details

The new season of “Survivor” is set to debut on Wednesday, February 25. The three-hour premiere begins at 7 p.m. Central Time. This episode will mark the longest non-finale installment in “Survivor” history, making it a notable return for fans of the series.

Cast Highlights

The cast for Survivor 50 features a diverse group of contestants, including three recent winners and notable favorites from past seasons. Seventeen of the record 24-member cast will be returning players, with several competing multiple times. Key contestants include:

Jenna Lewis Dougherty (Season 1 & 8)
Colby Donaldson (Season 2, 8, & 20)
Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick (Season 10, 11, & 20)
Cirie Fields (Season 12, 16, 20, & 34)
Ozzy Lusth (Season 13, 16, 23, & 34)
Benjamin “Coach” Wade (Season 18, 20, & 23)
Aubry Bracco (Season 32, 34, & 38)
Chrissy Hofbeck (Season 35)
Christian Hubicki (Season 37)
Angelina Keeley (Season 37)
Mike White (Season 37)
Rick Devens (Season 38)
Others including Dee Valladares, Emily Flippen, and more.

Road to Survivor 50 Episodes

Leading up to the premiere, “Survivor” is airing ten classic episodes on CBS. This retrospective showcases fan favorites and memorable moments from the series. The schedule includes episodes from various seasons, running from February 9 to February 20.

Ozzy Lusth’s Journey

Ozzy Lusth, one of the most recognizable faces in “Survivor” history, enters Season 50 in pursuit of his first title as Sole Survivor. Despite competing four times and playing a total of 128 days, he remains without a win. His history includes:

Cook Islands (Season 13): Runner-up
Micronesia (Season 16): Ninth place
South Pacific (Season 23): Fourth place
Game Changers (Season 34): Twelfth place

Idol Hunt Information

The nationwide idol hunt for the 50th season of “Survivor” kicked off in late January. Wisconsin will be featured in the next hunt, with a clue dropping on February 18. The idol will be hidden in a designated location, and participants will have a chance to win tickets to the season finale in Los Angeles.