The Mariah Game is back for 2026!

Here at The Hits, we love Christmas, and we LOVE Mariah Carey.

After one too many eggnogs, we found ourselves asking a very important question: how long could we go without hearing the most famous Mariah Christmas song?

So, we turned it into a competition. Because, honestly... why not? And now it's back! Welcome to The Mariah Game.

The challenge is simple: make it as long as you can through the festive season without hearing Mariah. Sounds easy enough, right?

Last time we played, PJ was the last woman standing, surviving right through until December 1. Her downfall? Just two minutes in a danger zone ... the Ballantynes department store in Christchurch. One brief visit was all it took.

So, how far will everyone make it this year?

Because The Mariah Game is back, and we want you to join us. Think you've got what it takes to avoid Mariah for longer than the team? Let's find out.

The rules are simple:

1. Once you hear Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You", you are officially out of the game.

2. The aim of the Mariah Game is to go for as long as possible without hearing the song, playing alongside everyone in New Zealand.

3. You might just hear a snippet of the song: on social media, walking into a store, flicking through the radio stations, in a taxi - THESE ALL COUNT AS YOU HEARING THE SONG AND YOU WILL BE OUT OF THE GAME!

4. There is to be NO sabotaging others or deliberately getting someone out of the game, including trying to trick anyone into hearing it. If you do, that person will still be in the game until they hear the song themselves.

5. You are your own boss; no cheating - but you need to be honest.

6. Worried about hearing the song? You can still get festive and listen to our Mariah Safe Zone Playlist on our free iHeart app. It's full of Christmas classics but NO Mariah, so you won't accidentally hear it!

The prize for The Mariah Game? Eternal glory, eternal gloating - and your aim is to try and beat all The Hits announcers and be the last person standing in New Zealand not to have heard Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You".

Once Jono, Ben, Megan, Matty, and PJ are all out of the game, we'll defrost Mariah and add "All I Want for Christmas Is You" to the airwaves.

Want to make your workplace a Mariah Safe Zone? Print out this poster - pop it in your window or on your wall and let everyone know they won't get out of the game in your workplace.

The Mariah Game is OFFICIALLY in effect from 5:30PM on Friday, October 31, 2026 - do you have what it takes?

Good luck, everyone!

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