L to R: Sage Ahrens-Nichols, Sophi Balerdi, Savannah Louie, and Rizo Velovic.
Courtesy of CBS
Survivor Season 49 aired its three-hour finale on Tuesday, Dec. 17, despite a brief interruption from President Donald Trump’s address to the nation. Another winner of the long-running competition was crowned, plus fans learned which two players will compete in the historic 50th season in 2026.
Heading into the final episode, only five castaways remained in the game: Kristina Mills, Rizo Velovic, Sage Ahrens-Nichols, Savannah Louie and Sophi Balerdi. During the first immunity challenge, Soph found an advantage in the jungle that helped her, but she ultimately fell behind as Savannah quickly navigated each part of the course and completed the puzzle first.
Savannah won her fourth immunity challenge, securing a spot in the final four. As part of her reward, she chose to take Sage to the Sanctuary for steak and potatoes. At the first Tribal Council, Rizo, who had held a hidden immunity idol for nine Tribal Councils, played it on himself. Kristina was voted out, and she became the seventh juror.
After Trump’s address, the finale returned with the season’s final immunity challenge. Soph came out on top, capturing her first immunity win of the season. As a result, she had to decide which castaway to take to the final three and which two would compete in the fire-making challenge.
She chose to bring Sage to the final three and send Savannah and Rizo to battle it out in the fire-making challenge for the final spot. While Rizo struggled, Savannah built a strong fire and earned her place in the final three, leaving Rizo as the last member of the season to join the jury.
The jury then questioned Sage, Savannah and Soph before casting their votes for the winner. They asked about strategy and gameplay while the finalists made their closing pitches. Savannah highlighted her dominance in immunity challenges, Soph pointed to her record of voting out more players than anyone else, and Sage emphasized her social game and the relationships she built.
Who Won Survivor Season 49?
Savannah Louie on Survivor.
Courtesy of CBS
Savannah Louie became the winner of Survivor Season 49 after a 5-2-1 jury vote. Sophi finished in second place with two votes, while Sage came in third with one vote. Louie also took home the $1 million cash prize.
Louie is a former TV anchor and news reporter. She previously worked for KSDK in St. Louis and Atlanta News First, according to Fox 2 Now St. Louis. Originally from Walnut Creek, California, she currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Savannah said during the after-show that she felt like she had imposter syndrome the whole season, adding that it was a “larger than life feeling” to win the competition. “I don’t even know what to say because I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s a crazy feeling,” she continued.
Here’s how the final jury voted this season.
- Nate: Savannah
- MC: Sophi
- Alex: Savannah
- Jawan: Sage
- Sophie: Savannah
- Steven: Savannah
- Kristina: Sophi
- Rizo: Savannah
Which Survivor 49 Players Will Be Joining The Survivor 50 Cast?
L to R: Savannah Louie and Rizo Velovic.
Courtesy of CBS
Survivor 50, premiering Feb. 26, 2026, will feature returning contestants from the franchise’s earliest seasons through its most recent, all competing in the milestone event.
The first teaser trailer, which aired during Tuesday night’s finale, revealed that Season 49 winner Savannah Louie and finalist Rizo Velovic will join the monumental cast.
The Survivor 50 lineup also includes The White Lotus creator Mike White, who previously competed on Season 37 (David vs. Goliath), along with Season 1’s Jenna Lewis-Dougherty, Season 2’s Colby Donaldson and Cirie Fields, who is competing for the fifth time.
Other returning players include Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Ozzy Lusth, Benjamin “Coach” Wade, Aubry Bracco, Chrissy Hofbeck, Christian Hubicki, Angelina Keeley, Rick Devens, Jonathan Young, Dee Valladares, Emily Flippen, Q Burdette, Tiffany Ervin, Charlie Davis, Genevieve Mushaluk, Kamilla Karthigesu, Kyle Fraser and Joe Hunter.
Who Are All The Survivor Winners?
FIJI – MAY 21: “Only One of Yous Can Win” The $1 million dollars is closer than ever as the remaining castaways enter the final stretch of the game. A major come-from-behind win earns one person a trip to the sanctuary and a spot in the final four. Then, a tumultuous fire-making showdown determines the final three. One castaway will be crowned Sole Survivor and awarded the $1 million prize, on the season 48 finale, followed by the After Show, hosted by Jeff Probst, on SURVIVOR, Wednesday, May 21 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+(live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Jeff Probst serves as host and executive producer. Pictured (L-R): Kyle Fraser and Jeff Probst. (Photo by Chuck Snyder/CBS via Getty Images)
CBS via Getty Images
Check out all the Survivor champions from Season 1 to now.
- Season 1 (Borneo) – Richard Hatch
- Season 2 (The Australian Outback) – Tina Wesson
- Season 3 (Africa) – Ethan Zohn
- Season 4 (Marquesas) – Vecepia Towery
- Season 5 (Thailand) – Brian Heidik
- Season 6 (The Amazon) – Jenna Morasca
- Season 7 (Pearl Islands) – Sandra Diaz-Twine
- Season 8 (All-Stars) – Amber Brkich
- Season 9 (Vanuatu) – Chris Daugherty
- Season 10 (Palau) – Tom Westman
- Season 11 (Guatemala) – Danni Boatwright
- Season 12 (Panama: Exile Island) – Aras Baskauskas
- Season 13 (Cook Islands) – Yul Kwon
- Season 14 (Fiji) – Earl Cole
- Season 15 (China) – Todd Herzog
- Season 16 (Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites) – Parvati Shallow
- Season 17 (Gabon) – Bob Crowley
- Season 18 (Tocantins) – J.T. Thomas
- Season 19 (Samoa) – Natalie White
- Season 20 (Heroes vs. Villains) – Sandra Diaz-Twine (2x winner)
- Season 21 (Nicaragua) – Jud “Fabio” Birza
- Season 22 (Redemption Island) – Rob Mariano
- Season 23 (South Pacific) – Sophie Clarke
- Season 24 (One World) – Kim Spradlin
- Season 25 (Philippines) – Denise Stapley
- Season 26 (Caramoan) – John Cochran
- Season 27 (Blood vs. Water) – Tyson Apostol
- Season 28 (Cagayan) – Tony Vlachos
- Season 29 (San Juan del Sur) – Natalie Anderson
- Season 30 (Worlds Apart) – Mike Holloway
- Season 31 (Cambodia: Second Chance) – Jeremy Collins
- Season 32 (Kaôh Rōng) – Michele Fitzgerald
- Season 33 (Millennials vs. Gen X) – Adam Klein
- Season 34 (Game Changers) – Sarah Lacina
- Season 35 (Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers) – Ben Driebergen
- Season 36 (Ghost Island) – Wendell Holland
- Season 37 (David vs. Goliath) – Nick Wilson
- Season 38 (Edge of Extinction) – Chris Underwood
- Season 39 (Island of the Idols) – Tommy Sheehan
- Season 40 (Winners at War) – Tony Vlachos (2x winner)
- Season 41 – Erika Casupanan
- Season 42 – Maryanne Oketch
- Season 43 – Mike Gabler
- Season 44 – Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho
- Season 45 – Dee Valladares
- Season 46 – Kenzie Petty
- Season 47 – Rachel LaMont
- Season 48 – Kyle Fraser
- Season 49 – Savannah Louie
Watch the first trailer for Survivor 50 below.