Jeff Probst. Photo:
Robert Voets/CBS via Getty
Like Jeff Probst often says, “It is time to vote.” Survivor fans, you’re up!
The next voting categories for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans — the fan-powered 50th season that premieres in February 2026 — have been announced. One of the categories will involve the show’s polarizing twists that some viewers love and other viewers hate to see included.
Voting opens during Survivor season 48’s April 16 episode, when fans will get to vote on the twists, the immunity necklaces and the tribe supplies.
“The right twist at the right moment can change the game for players in exciting ways. But some fans prefer a more straightforward game where strategic alliances are all that matter. Which are you?” CBS said in an announcement about the third round of voting categories.
Mitch Guerra, Mary Zheng and Thomas Krottinger on a ‘Survivor’ season 48 journey twist. Robert Voets/CBS via Getty
Although CBS didn’t specify which twists would be kept, eliminated, toned down or amped up for season 50 based on the fan votes, viewers have considered new era twists to be vote-losing journeys, advantage-gaining journeys, Amulets, Earn the Merge, Extra Vote, Block a Vote, Steal a Vote, Shot in the Dark, Knowledge Is Power and the game-altering Hourglass.
In season 48, for example, one journey involved contestants Mitch Guerra, Mary Zheng and Thomas Krottinger forced to solve a timed puzzle. Mary failed to complete it and lost her vote, while Mitch earned a Block a Vote advantage and Thomas won a Steal a Vote advantage.
For the twists voting, fans will have two options. The first option is to “Keep the game straightforward,” with CBS describing this as: “I don’t like twists — they get in the way of a clean game. I want a season where players can lean on strategy and social skills, not sudden surprises that blow up their plans. So let’s go old school — twists should be very rare.”
The second voting option for twists is to “Keep the game shifting,” with CBS describing this as: “I love twists! They add excitement and uncertainty, keeping the players on their toes, and forcing them to adapt and rethink their strategy. Bring on the twists!”
The ‘Survivor’ season 39 immunity necklace. Robert Voets/CBS via Getty
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Another third-round voting category is a design choice: “Which individual immunity necklace would you like to see in Survivor 50?”
The last category this time pertains to tribe supplies: “Give them their supplies or make them earn them?” While CBS didn’t elaborate on which supplies, tribe supplies are often items such as tarps for shelter, flint, fishing gear and machetes, among other things, that players usually have to win.
The first round of voting, during the season 48 premiere on Feb. 26, involved fans picking tribe colors, whether castaways should be given rice to eat and whether the final four fire-making should be axed.
The second round of voting, during the March 19 episode, involved fans voting on tribe swaps, the power of advantages and the final four challenge, which CBS gave three challenge options: Simmotion, the season 46 pinball machine and the season 47 obstacle course/puzzle.
Results for all rounds won’t be shared until season 50 airs in 2026.
Survivor season 48 airs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and can be streamed live and afterward on Paramount+.
