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When Does Dancing With The Stars Begin? Everything You Need To Know About The DWTS Season 35 Premiere Date

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The Mirrorball Trophy is set to sparkle again! As of today, December 18, 2025, the official premiere date for the next season of Dancing with the Stars, which will be Season 35, has not been formally announced by ABC. However, based on the show's consistent scheduling history and the network's typical Fall television lineup, fans should mark their calendars for a strong possibility of the new season beginning in mid-September 2026.

The highly successful Season 34 concluded in December 2025, and while a formal renewal is still pending, Dancing with the Stars is a cornerstone of the ABC schedule and is widely expected to return for its 35th installment. The show is anticipated to maintain its Tuesday night slot, bringing the glitz and glamour of ballroom dancing back to primetime television.

Dancing with the Stars Season 35: Expected Premiere Date and Broadcast Details

While an official announcement from ABC is the final word, the pattern for the show’s return is incredibly reliable. The network typically launches its major reality and competition shows, including DWTS, during the first or second week of the Fall television season.

The Expected DWTS Season 35 Start Date

  • Expected Premiere Date: Mid-September 2026 (Historically, this lands on a Tuesday).
  • Expected Air Day and Time: Tuesdays, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
  • Network: ABC (The show returned to the network for Season 32 after a brief stint on Disney+).
  • Streaming: Episodes are expected to be available to stream live on Disney+ and the next day on Hulu.

The previous season, Season 34, premiered on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, and concluded in late November/early December. This confirms the show's commitment to a Fall schedule, making the mid-September 2026 date the most informed prediction for the Season 35 launch. Any official news regarding the premiere date, cast, or theme nights will likely be revealed in the summer of 2026, typically around July or August, during the Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour.

The Star-Studded Lineup: Hosts and Judges Expected to Return

The show’s enduring success is thanks in part to its familiar faces and the incredible chemistry among the judging panel and hosts. Fans can generally expect the core team to return for Season 35, ensuring a smooth transition and consistent judging standards for the new celebrities and professional dancers.

The Judging Panel (The Ballroom Experts)

The panel of permanent judges provides the crucial feedback and scores that guide the competition. For Season 35, the following three judges are all expected to return to their seats:

  • Carrie Ann Inaba: Known for her focus on the emotional performance and technical lift execution. She has been with the show since its debut.
  • Bruno Tonioli: The flamboyant judge famous for his dramatic critiques and lively commentary.
  • Derek Hough: A six-time Mirrorball Trophy champion and Emmy-winning choreographer, who joined the panel in Season 29 and is expected to continue providing his expert insight.

The Hosts (Guiding the Glitter)

The current hosting duo has brought a fresh energy to the show, and their return is highly anticipated for Season 35. They are responsible for introducing the celebrity contestants, managing the live voting process, and interviewing the couples after their performances.

  • Alfonso Ribeiro: A former Mirrorball Trophy winner himself, Ribeiro is expected to return as the main host.
  • Julianne Hough: Another former professional dancer and judge on the show, Hough is expected to return as the co-host, providing behind-the-scenes access and contestant interviews.

How to Follow the DWTS Journey from Start to Finish

The journey to the Mirrorball Trophy is a marathon, not a sprint, spanning approximately 10 to 12 weeks. Understanding the show's structure is key to following your favorite celebrity and professional dancer (Pro) partnership.

The DWTS Season Timeline

The season is a compact, high-stakes competition that typically runs through the entire Fall season, culminating just before the holiday season begins. The Season 34 finale, for example, aired on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

  • Premiere Night: The first night is non-elimination, allowing all couples to showcase their first dance.
  • Weekly Eliminations: Starting from Week 2, one couple is eliminated each week based on the combination of judges' scores and live fan voting. This emphasis on the live vote is a crucial element that determines who stays and who goes.
  • Theme Nights: The season is peppered with fan-favorite theme nights, which often dictate the music, costume, and style of the dances. Past themes have included Disney Night, Halloween Night, Latin Night, and the emotional Most Memorable Year Night.
  • The Finale: The final four or five couples perform their last dances, and the winner of the coveted Mirrorball Trophy is crowned based on the final tally of votes and scores.

To ensure you don’t miss the Season 35 premiere, keep a close watch on official ABC and Dancing with the Stars social media channels throughout the summer of 2026. The official announcement of the celebrity cast, which typically includes actors, athletes, musicians, and reality TV stars, is often the final piece of news released just weeks before the show's official start date.

Beyond the Premiere: The DWTS Live Tour and Future

For dedicated fans of the show, the entertainment doesn't stop when the season ends. The Dancing with the Stars franchise extends its reach through a popular live tour and a high likelihood of future seasons.

The 2026 Live Tour

The professional dancers and select celebrity contestants from the most recent seasons hit the road for the annual Dancing with the Stars: Live! tour. The 2026 tour, featuring a new cast and choreography, is scheduled to kick off on January 22, 2026, in Akron, Ohio, and will travel to dozens of cities across the United States.

This provides an excellent opportunity for fans to see their favorite pros, such as Rylee Arnold, performing live in a theater setting, showcasing the incredible talent of the professional dancers in a way that differs from the weekly competition.

Will There Be a Season 36?

Given the strong ratings performance of Season 34 and the show's established position in the Fall TV schedule, a Season 36 is also highly probable. The show has a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase, and its ability to attract high-profile celebrity contestants keeps the viewership consistent. If the pattern holds, Season 36 would be expected to premiere in mid-September 2027. The ballroom dancing competition continues to be a television staple, promising many more years of Samba, Waltz, and Paso Doble.

When Does Dancing with the Stars Begin? Everything You Need to Know About the DWTS Season 35 Premiere Date
what day does dancing with the stars begin
what day does dancing with the stars begin

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