Squid Game: The Challenge — who won, premise, trailer and everything we know

Squid Game: The Challenge is a reality spin-off series, which follows on from the huge success of the original, which broke records when it was released in 2021. And now we're waiting for the big final which drops on Wednesday, December 6 at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT and on Thursday, December 7 in the UK at 2 am. If you're a UK fan you need to set your alarm clock!

In Squid Game we followed a bunch of desperate hopefuls who took on an opportunity hoping to walk away with a huge cash prize, but they soon realized their lives were in danger as they were forced to play deadly versions of popular childhood games.

Now, Netflix has taken this concept and turned it into a reality competition where we'll see contestants taking on games inspired by the hit dystopian series, and they'll all be competing to walk away with a life-changing $4.56 million.

The tough competition series joins the likes of Physical: 100, a Netflix series that invites contestants from all walks of life to push their bodies to their limits, which has also been compared to Squid Game! 

Squid Game: The Challenge release date

Netflix released the first part of Squid Game: The Challenge on Wednesday, November 22.

Episodes 6 - 9 release on Wednesday, November 29 while the grand final drops on Wednesday, December 6 at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT and on Thursday, December 7 in the UK at 2 am.

Squid Game: The Challenge premise

Netflix teases: "With both the largest cast and lump sum cash prize in reality TV history, 456 real players will enter the game in pursuit of a life-changing reward of $4.56 million. 

"As they compete through a series of games inspired by the original show - plus surprising new additions - their strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test while competitors are eliminated around them. The stakes are high, but in this game, the worst fate is going home empty-handed."

Squid Game: The Challenge finalists

Sam (Player 016)

Sam is a Florida-based artist who has purposefully kept a low profile to make it to the end of the competition. Throughout his game, he's had some key alliances that have saved him from elimination, and succeeded in many challenges such as the cookie challenge which saw him getting the star, the second hardest shape. Hey, at least it wasn't the umbrella!

Mai (Player 287)

Born in Vietnam, Mai came to the United States as a refugee when she was just eight years old. Since then, Mai has tried “to be strong which has seen her navigate single parenthood and a 20-year career in the Navy, before joining Squid Game: The Challenge.

Phill (Player 451)

Phill is a Hawaii-based scuba instructor who describes himself as a "go with the flow kind of guy. He is originally from Brazil but moved to the United States when he was in middle school, and admits he has always been pretty relaxed

Who won Squid Game: The Challenge season 1?

The million dollar question! Well the $4.56 million question to be precise! 

Episode 10 of the nail-biting competition series saw Mai crowned as winner after she was successfully able to locate the right key that would open the safe, revealing a bank card inside. 

Phill, gracious in his defeat, embraced Mai and congratulated her on the win while she cried out of overwhelming joy. We can't say we blame her, really...

Is there a trailer?

During a series of announcements, Netflix dropped the first trailer for Squid Game: The Challenge on social media. They wrote: "This November, the game you love becomes reality.

"#TUDUM has your first sneak peek at how the brand new competition series, Squid Game: The Challenge is coming to life."

A longer trailer was released on social media when the release date was confirmed. They teased: "56 real people. 4.56 million dollars. Squid Game: The Challenge, the new competition series based on our biggest show ever, begins November 22 only on @netflix"

Finally, a third trailer has been released which gives us an even bigger look at the games ahead. Don't worry, no one's life is actually at risk here, but you might get hit by paintballs!

Take a look below...

The trailer for the final has also been released, which can be watched below...