A recap of the 'Survivor' season 49 finale

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.”

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.