“Survivor” Says Goodbye to a Legend Early and a Shocking Evacuation Rocks a Tribe in Season 50 Premiere
“Survivor” Says Goodbye to a Legend Early and a Shocking Evacuation Rocks a Tribe in Season 50 Premiere
Stephanie PetitThu, February 26, 2026 at 4:00 AM UTC
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Survivor season 50 premiere episodeCredit: Gail Schulman/CBS -
The premiere episode of Survivor's 50th season included an unexpected exit
The milestone season brings together the biggest cast ever, 24 players, ranging from season 1's Jenna to the show's most recently crowned winner, Savannah
Find out what happened in the first immunity challenge and tribal council
Warning: This story contains spoilers for the premiere Feb. 25 episode of Survivor's 50th season.
Survivor's milestone 50th season began with a bang — and a break.
The show's largest cast ever — 24 contestants ranging from season 1's Jenna to the show's most recently crowned winner, Survivor 49's Savannah — was welcomed by Jeff Probst. While there were cheers, smiles and laughs as the cast offered their first thoughts and met their tribes, game faces came out quickly.
After the Vatu tribe secured fire by winning the marooning challenge, the first big twist of the season came: each tribe sent one player to compete for the rest of their supplies, without knowing what exactly their task would be. Q, Ozzy and Coach stepped up — offering a faceoff between former adversaries Ozzy and Coach that didn't disappoint. Coach emerged victorious when he grabbed the key first, but did he hurt his "honorable" reputation in the process?
Survivor 50 premiereCredit: Robert Voets/CBS
Back at the tribe camps, bonds began to form and targets began to be painted.
Over at Vatu, previous Heroes vs. Villains castmates Colby and Stephenie clicked immediately. They seemed to have control after teaming up with another pair: Kyle and Geneieve. There were also some side alliances strengthening of the group. Kyle and Q appeared to share trust, and despite initially calling Rizo "annoying as hell," Colby warmed up to the newbie. The most character-filled group also delivered on the entertainment front, holding a fashion show that highlighted Geneieve's pea coat, Angelina's jacket and the Q-skirt.
Colby Donaldson on Survivor 50Credit: Gail Schulman/CBS
Tiffany, Dee and Kamilla seemed to click on Kalo, but other tribe members had their eye on Dee, the winner of season 45. But perhaps the significant bond? The one that happens when Coach lets you wear one of his toe rings.
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Survivor 50Credit: Robert Voets/CBS
On Cila, Jenna wasted no time in naming fifth-time returnee and The Traitors winner Cirie Fields as her prey. When Cirie failed to ace her part of the first immunity challenge, costing her tribe valuable time and ultimately leading to their loss, it seemed the target on her back was only growing bigger as tribal council neared.
Despite Jenna casting a vote for Cirie, the rest of the tribe aligned in voting Jenna, making the first member of this all-star cast to ever play Survivor also the first person out of the game in season 50.
Jenna Lewis Dougherty on Survivor 50Credit: Gail Schulman/CBS
But she wasn't the only person to say goodbye to Fiji early. An intense obstacle in the immunity challenge that required the players to help each other climb up a steep wall while they were covered in mud led to Kyle injuring his ankle. Despite working together to complete the challenge and win immunity, Probst and Dr. Joe Rowles came to the Vatu camp to perform some further tests. Dr. Joe's assessment ruled that Kyle had likely torn his Achilles' tendon, which required him to be removed from the game despite Kyle's pleas. When the news was delivered to his tribemates, many broke down in tears.
Colby and Q lifted Kyle into the boat as he left the island. His final words? Asking one of his tribemates to win the whole thing.
Kyle Fraser on Survivor 50Credit: Robert Voets/CBS
Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
PEOPLE's 50 Seasons of Survivor special issue is available on newsstands and Amazon.
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