MISSOULA — Survivor's 50th season brought an idol hunt to all 50 states. That's why fans flocked to Missoula, hoping to win a spot at the live finale.
With many fans eagerly awaiting Survivor's 50th season, the show created a challenge to get everyone involved. Each state had an idol hidden. The idol in Montana was at the University of Montana inside the Payne Family Native American Center.
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"Traveled. I'm from Great Falls," fan Kyle Namen said.
"I came from Bozeman, actually. I ran from the airport to here," fan Garrett Forsyth told MTN.
"Since I was a little kid, me and my dad would watch it on Wednesdays, and I've just been a fan ever since. Introduced my wife to it when I met her, and she's a bigger fan than I am," Namen, who was dressed like host Jeff Probst, explained.
"Went down into the planetarium room and got to see some stars as if we were in Fiji, which was cool, and then we got to discover the idol," Forsyth said.
Idol finders won't be protected from going home at Tribal Council like in the show.
However, they did get to submit a selfie, which could earn them a spot at the season's live finale.
"That'd be amazing. Like, probably second-best experience to have other than going on Survivor itself," Namen said.
"Survivor 50" premieres on February 25, with castaways from season one all the way through 49 returning.
"I think just watching how all the dynamics of people who've played before is gonna be a lot different than new people," Forsyth said.
"I'm really excited about some of our favorite players. I saw Ozzy's going to be there. He's a fan favorite of mine. So happy to see him compete," Namen said.
(FEBRUARY 10, 2026) If you've ever wanted to participate in the TV show "Survivor," an iconic part of the game is coming to Montana.
Finding the Treasure State's hidden immunity idol could get you a seat at the 50th season's finale in Los Angeles.
Whether you've been watching since Borneo and the Australian Outback, or love the new era's twists and advantages, there's a way to join in on the game that doesn't involve being marooned or starving on an island.
As part of the "Survivor 50 Challenge," producers have hidden one idol in all 50 states. That means an idol will be hidden in Montana!
A clue will be revealed online on Tuesday, February 10, at 1 p.m. (Montana time) - click here to visit the website — then an immersive hunt open to everyone Thursday.
If you find the idol, instead of keeping you safe from being voted off at tribal council, you get a chance to be a part of the live finale in May.
