This Is Everything We Know About Haymitch’s Games from the Original Hunger Games Trilogy (2024)

With the confirmation that a new book and movie are in the works, fans of The Hunger Games are finally getting the games they've wanted for years: the 50th Hunger Games. The original trilogy series follows Katniss Everdeen throughout the 74th and 75th Games, but the new book, Sunrise on the Reaping, will touch on the Games that made Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss and Peeta's mentor, one of only four District 12 victors.

With the confirmation that fans are getting the 50th Hunger Games, some can't help but speculate about other popular spin-off ideas that could be next, now that one of the fan base's dreams is coming true. The new book will present an entirely new picture of the 50th Hunger Games because it is set to begin the morning of the reaping, much like how Katniss's story began. Though the point of view of the story has not been revealed, audiences will get a fresh look at Haymitch as a tribute, even though we already have some information about how his time in the arena played out.

The Quarter Quell Twist

Haymitch's game was the second Quarter Quell, meaning there was a special twist to the Games that year. The first Quarter Quell's twist had district citizens vote for their tributes, rather than use the lottery system that was standard. Katniss and Peeta's Quarter Quell had the tributes come from the existing victors rather than district children. However, the second Quarter Quell reaped double the tributes, meaning each of the twelve districts sent two young men and two young women to the Games.

Despite knowing there were 48 tributes in the 50th Games, only the names of two are known: Haymitch and Maysilee Donner, one of the female tributes from District 12. The two teamed up during the Games, making a small alliance as the number of tributes dwindled. Comparatively, one of the largest alliances of their Games was a pack of ten Career tributes, or tributes from Districts 1, 2, and 4.

However, the District 12 partnership had to come to an end. When there were only five tributes left, the two separated and went on their own way once they reached the arena's boundary at a cliff. Maysilee officially broke off the alliance because Haymitch didn't want to leave the area. Just minutes later, while testing the force field around the arena, he heard her in distress. She had been fatally injured by one of the muttations in the arena, and Haymitch stayed with her until she passed.

A Beautiful But Deadly Arena

When Peeta and Katniss watch the highlights reel of the 50th Games during Catching Fire, Katniss thinks that the arena is "the most breathtaking place imaginable." Everything about the space is picturesque, with perfect clouds in a bright sky and flowers surrounding the Cornucopia. Like other arenas readers and viewers are familiar with, this one also had wooded areas and a mountain. Katniss's internal dialogue shares with readers that she believes the arena's appearance was initially distracting to the tributes because some of them didn't respond to the starting gong right away.

Despite its beauty, everything within it was deadly. From the fruit in the trees to the water running in the rivers, it killed the tributes. The only safe water was whatever came with the rain and if your mentor had water sent to you, and the only edible food was what was provided within the Cornucopia when the cannon went off. Like other Games, the Gamemakers did influence the arena, including causing a volcanic eruption from a mountain that killed 12 tributes.

Known muttations in the arena include pink birds with long, thin beaks, golden carnivorous squirrels that would hunt and kill tributes in a pack, and butterflies with fatal stings. Based on what we know about the Gamemakers, it's likely there are plenty of others that will appear in the next book and film.

Haymitch's Victory Was Bittersweet

After Maysilee's death, Haymitch became one of the last two tributes standing, having a standoff with one of the female tributes from District 1. The District 12 tribute headed back toward the edge of the arena, trying to stay alive and awake with a fatal stomach wound after delivering a debilitating blow to his competitor's eye. The District 1 tribute followed him, throwing an ax his way. However, it ends up going over the edge of the cliff. As the two struggle, the ax bounces back, hitting the District 1 tribute in the head, crowning Haymitch the victor.

However, his victory is bittersweet. The Capitol never intended for anyone to use the force field as a weapon. In their eyes, Haymitch made them look silly and unprepared, and that can't go unpunished. In the weeks that followed his Games, Haymitch's family and girlfriend were killed by the Capitol as punishment for his actions. These events, combined with the knowledge that he alone would be responsible for coaching other condemned District 12 tributes for years to come, caused his alcohol dependence.

The book Sunrise on the Reaping releases on March 18, 2025. The movie adaptation is set to arrive in theaters on November 20, 2026.