Warning; Major spoilers ahead for the “Survivor” Season 49 finale…
In a teaser for the “Survivor” Season 49 finale, host Jeff Probst said, “This has been one of the most unpredictable games we have ever seen.” But did the five remaining castaways deliver an epic ending to the season?
When the three-hour Season 49 finale began on Wednesday, Dec. 17, there were five contestants hoping to win the title of “sole ‘Survivor’” and the $1 million prize: Kristina Mills, Rizo Velovic, Sage Ahrens-Nichols, Savannah Louie and Sophi “Soph” Balerdi.
The final five still had a couple Immunity Challenges, the controversial Fire-Making Challenge and Final Tribal Council to get through before the jury voted for a winner. Plus, the after show revealed which two castaways will return for the historic Season 50, arriving Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.
Read on to find out everything that happened in the Season 49 finale, including who was crowned the winner, below.
1st Immunity Challenge
After Soph found an advantage in the jungle to help her in the Immunity Challenge, she learned from Probst at the challenge that half of her puzzle pieces were already placed in the correct spots. But Soph instantly fell behind during the first portion of the challenge and struggled to crawl through the mud.
Meanwhile, Savannah sped through nearly every portion and quickly completed the puzzle, giving her a record-tying fourth Immunity Challenge win and guaranteeing her a spot in the final four. She also won the reward and chose to take Sage to the Sanctuary to enjoy steak and potatoes.
In her confessional, Savannah smiled wide as she celebrated her win and pointed out how she has been able to outlast her foes all season long.
1st Tribal Council
Back at camp, Kristina — who assumed Savannah, Soph and Rizo would vote together given that they’ve been a strong trio for most of the game — pitched voting out Sage to Soph and Rizo. During the reward meal, Sage suggested to Savannah that the better move was to vote out Kristina since she could beat anyone in the Fire-Making Challenge. Thus, the Tres Leches alliance was at a stalemate going into Tribal Council.
After a back-and-forth between Kristina and Sage at Tribal Council where they both explained why the other was a threat, it was time to vote. Rizo — who had been holding onto his Hidden Immunity Idol for a record nine Tribal Councils — finally played his idol for himself before the votes were read.
Probst read the votes and revealed Kristina as the 14th person voted out and seventh member of the jury.
2nd Immunity Challenge
Following an interruption due to an address from President Trump, the show picked up at the second and final Immunity Challenge of the night.
The final four were neck and neck as they reached the final portion of the challenge. Soph pulled out a comeback victory and received her first Immunity Challenge win of the season.
“Oh my God, this is a dream!” she said when Probst placed the necklace around her neck.
Fire-Making Challenge
As the winner, Soph had to choose which person to take to the end with her and which two castaways had to face off in the Fire-Making Challenge. She told the other three that they should practice while she contemplated her decision, adding that she didn’t want them to plead their cases.
In a confessional, Savannah said she felt betrayed by her “best friend” Soph for not instantly wanting to save her. Rizo tried to remain optimistic and said he had more experience making fire compared to Savannah and Sage. Sage also had a positive mentality as she prepared, telling herself that whatever was meant to happen would happen.
At Tribal Council, Probst said Soph’s choice could be a $1 million decision. She announced that she wanted to take Sage to the final three and have her two allies, Savannah and Rizo, make fire to earn the last spot.
While Rizo struggled and repeatedly smothered his fire, Savannah nurtured a strong fire that continued to grow until it burned through the rope, making her the winner.
Rizo became the eighth and final member of the jury. Before leaving, Rizo shared some emotional departing words. “For a little Albanian boy from New York City… to say I have no regrets, to say I made my family proud, to say I made a whole country proud, I truly feel like I left an impact on this game.”
He asked to be called by his nickname, “Riz God,” as Probst snuffed his torch.
Final Tribal Council
As their final breakfast arrived at camp, Savannah, Sage and Soph reflected on being the first all-female final three in 20 seasons. They also shared some of their favorite moments with each member of the jury.
Next, it was time for Final Tribal Council to begin. Rizo kicked things off by sharing kind words for the three ladies. The remaining members of the jury then posed questions that allowed each finalist to elaborate on their strategies and how they outwitted, outlasted and outplayed everyone else.
When asked to name her most strategic move, Soph said she built strong connections outside of her trio that helped her social game. Savannah recalled a conversation with jury member Sophie Segreti where she pitched working together. Sage mentioned her move to vote out Sophie over Savannah.
For their final pitches, Soph noted that she had been to 12 Tribal Councils and voted out more people than anyone else. Savannah said she successfully dodged the most bullets because she was adaptable, prioritized key relationships and dominated in Immunity Challenges. Sage said she had an important social component to her game that worked hand in hand with her strategic game, allowing her to build close friendships.
And the Winner Is…
“The jury has made their decision. I’ll read the votes,” Probst said. After three votes were revealed, each woman had a vote each. But as he continued to read the votes, Savannah’s name appeared again and again. Savannah was crowned the winner of Season 49.
The cast all toasted with champagne as Probst kicked off the after show.
After Show and Final ‘Survivor’ Season 50 Contestants Revealed
During the after show, Savannah said she felt “imposter syndrome” the whole season and it was a “larger than life feeling” to win the game. “I don’t even know what to say because I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s a crazy feeling,” she added.
In the final moments of the episode, Probst introduced the first trailer for “Survivor” Season 50. At the start of the clip, the host is shown speaking to all the returning players. He tells them he expects them all to give “everything” they have to win.
The chaotic trailer also mentioned that Zac Brown, Billie Eilish, Jimmy Fallon and MrBeast will impact the game in some way.
And with that, Season 49 is over and Season 50 is just a couple months away. See the complete Season 50 cast, below.
The full Season 50 cast:
- Jenna Lewis-Dougherty from Season 1 (Borneo) and Season 8 (All-Stars)
- Colby Donaldson from Season 2 (The Australian Outback), Season 8 (All-Stars) and Season 20 (Heroes vs. Villains)
- Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick from Season 10 (Palau) Season 11 (Guatemala) and Season 20 (Heroes vs. Villains)
- Cirie Fields from Season 12 (Panama-Exile Island) Season 16 (Micronesia — Fans vs. Favorites), Season 20 (Heroes vs. Villains) and Season 34 (Game Changers)
- Ozzy Lusth from Season 13 (Cook Islands), Season 16 (Micronesia — Fans vs. Favorites) Season 23 (South Pacific) and Season 34 (Game Changers)
- Benjamin “Coach” Wade from Season 18 (Tocantins — The Brazilian Highlands) Season 20 (Heroes vs. Villains) and Season 23 (South Pacific)
- Aubry Bracco from Season 32 (Kaôh Rōng — Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty), Season 34 (Game Changers) and Season 38 (Edge of Extinction)
- Chrissy Hofbeck from Season 35 (Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers)
- Christian Hubicki from Season 37 (David vs. Goliath)
- Angelina Keeley from Season 37 (David vs. Goliath)
- Mike White from Season 37 (David vs. Goliath)
- Rick Devens from Season 38 (Edge of Extinction)
- Jonathan Young from Season 42
- Dee Valladares winner of Season 45
- Emily Flippen from Season 45
- Quintavius “Q” Burdette from Season 46
- Tiffany Ervin from Season 46
- Charlie Davis from Season 46
- Genevieve Mushaluk from Season 47
- Kamilla Karthigesu from Season 48
- Kyle Fraser winner of Season 48
- Joseph Hunter from Season 48
- Rizo Velovic from Season 49
- Savannah Louie winner of Season 49
