Australian Survivor is returning in 2026, but viewers should expect quite the shake-up. This year’s theme is Survivor: Redemption.
Premiering on 23 February 2026, Australian Survivor: Redemption will see newcomers and returning players vying for their chance at redemption.
Below, we answer all your burning questions regarding the new season.
Who is the host of Australian Survivor 2026?
In June, the network confirmed long-term host Jonathan LaPaglia would not be returning to host the 2026. At the time of this announcement, Jonathan had already filmed Survivor: Australia v The World.
“Australian Survivor has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years, but this one might just be the craziest of them all….because it happened to me,” he wrote on Instagram at the time.
“I received a call from the Network thanking me for all my hard work and dedication to the show, but for next season they are ‘going in a different direction’. Ratings had dipped a bit recently and they wanted to do something drastic to shake things up. So for the first time ever this is not a tribe swap, but a HOST SWAP.”
Jonathan’s replacement is former Survivor player dubbed the ‘Golden God’, David Genat. In total, David has competed in three seasons of Australian Survivor and won once back in 2020.
“Next year, a new era begins for Australian Survivor. I cannot wait for the challenge and am so honoured to be part of this brilliant new season.”
David actually competed on Jonathan’s final season as host.
We spoke with David following the announcement, and although he was surprised by the fandom’s resistance to the change, he said he was up for the challenge.
“I like pressure,” he told us. “I like proving people wrong.”
When does Australian Survivor 2026 premiere?
Mark your calendars: The next season of Australian Survivor: Redemption premieres on Monday, 23 February 2026!
Who are the contestants for Australian Survivor: Redemption?
An incredible 24 players will be competing in the 2026 season. But some of the players may look familiar to dedicated Survivor fans…
Each player has something to prove “or a regret to make right.”
Returning to compete in 2026 are Harry Hills, Simon Mee, Brooke Jowett, and Mark Warnock. Some well-known reality stars are trying their hand at the game, including Big Brother’s Johnson Ashak and The Traitors’ New Zealand’s Cat Hooker.
In the season’s sneak peek, we see Simon and Harry making secret deals to take over the tribe under the cover of darkness, while Brooke teases new host David Genat. Saying, “Nice of you to give someone else the chance to win some money this time.”
Newcomers include pro-wrestler Jackson, MMA fighter Cameron, CEO Richard, AFL Indigenous talent lead Ben, acupuncturist Blanche, students Tez and Sally, chef Faith, fraud prevention specialist Keeley, truck driver Caleb, country musician Don, model Lyndl, stay-at-home mum Loz, vet nurse Paula, pastor Daniel, artist Lottie, NDIS support worker Aisha and writer Eliza.
Find out more about the confirmed contestants here.
