When Is DWTS On? Your Ultimate 2026 Schedule Guide And Season 35 Premiere Date

As of December 10, 2025, the latest season of *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS), Season 34, has concluded its run on ABC and Disney+. The highly-rated dance competition wrapped up its season with a spectacular finale on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, crowning a new champion. While the show is currently on its traditional winter hiatus, fans do not have to wait until next fall for live ballroom action, as the annual *DWTS: Live! Tour* is scheduled to kick off in January 2026. For those eager to know the exact air date for the next installment, *Dancing with the Stars* Season 35 is currently predicted to premiere in mid-September 2026, based on the show's consistent scheduling pattern. The new season is expected to continue airing in its established time slot, which is typically Tuesday nights at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and Pacific Time (PT), simulcasting live on both the ABC network and the Disney+ streaming service.

DWTS Season 34: Hosts, Judges, and Key Entities

To fully understand the current landscape of the show and what to expect when a new season begins, it is essential to know the key figures who bring the ballroom to life. Season 34 maintained a consistent and beloved lineup of hosts and judges.

• Hosts: The show was co-hosted by the charismatic duo of Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough. Ribeiro, a Season 19 champion himself, has been a staple of the show, while Hough, a two-time professional champion, returned to the ballroom as a host after her time as a professional dancer and judge.
• Judges: The panel of expert judges for Season 34 consisted of three familiar and critical faces: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. Tonioli, known for his passionate and energetic critiques, Inaba, recognized for her focus on lifts and technical errors, and Hough, a six-time Mirrorball champion, provide a balanced and authoritative perspective on the performances.
• Previous Host: The transition to the current hosting duo followed the departure of Tyra Banks, who had hosted the show for several seasons.
• Season 34 Winner: The winner of Season 34 was Robert Irwin, who went on to be a featured guest on the DWTS Live Tour.

These core figures—Ribeiro, Hough, Inaba, Hough, and Tonioli—are all widely expected to return for the anticipated Season 35 in 2026.

Predicted Schedule: When to Expect DWTS Season 35 in 2026

While an official announcement for the renewal and premiere date of *Dancing with the Stars* Season 35 has not yet been made, the show's history provides a reliable prediction for its return.

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Predicted Season 35 Premiere Date:

The most likely window for the Season 35 premiere is mid-September 2026. DWTS has historically launched its new seasons in the fall, making September the expected start month.

Weekly Air Time and Day:

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The show is highly likely to remain on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The Tuesday night slot has been consistent for the past few seasons, allowing for a live simulcast that caters to both network television and streaming audiences.

Where to Watch Live and Stream On-Demand:

The multi-platform approach is expected to continue for Season 35. You can watch the show live via two primary methods:

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• Live Broadcast: Airing on the ABC television network.
• Live Simulcast: Simultaneously streaming live on Disney+.

For on-demand viewing, episodes of *Dancing with the Stars* are typically available for streaming the day after the live broadcast on Hulu.

DWTS: Live! 2026 Tour Dates and Cast

If you need your DWTS fix before the fall 2026 premiere, the annual DWTS: Live! 2026 Tour is the immediate answer to "When is DWTS on?" This is a massive, multi-city event that brings the spectacle of the ballroom to fans across the United States.

Tour Schedule Highlights:

The DWTS: Live! 2026 Tour is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Akron Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio. The tour will span over 74 dates, running through the spring, with final dates in late March and April 2026.

Featured Guests and Pros:

The tour features a rotation of professional dancers and celebrity guests. Season 34 winner Robert Irwin is confirmed to be part of the live shows. Additionally, the tour often features special guest co-hosts for select dates, including personalities like Danielle Fishel, Andy Richter, and Elaine Hendrix. The cast also includes fan-favorite professional dancers such as Val Chmerkovskiy and Witney Carson, among many others.

The Ballroom: A Look at Signature DWTS Dance Styles

The competition requires celebrities and their professional partners to master a wide array of dance styles, adding significant topical authority to the show. These classic and Latin dances are the foundation of the competition, and mastering them is key to winning the coveted Mirrorball trophy.

Standard/Ballroom Dances:

• Waltz: A smooth, elegant dance with a 3/4 time signature.
• Viennese Waltz: A faster, more rotational version of the standard Waltz.
• Foxtrot: Known for its long, flowing, and continuous movements.
• Quickstep: A fast-paced dance with quick steps, runs, and hops.
• Tango: A dramatic, passionate dance characterized by sharp movements and powerful poses.

Latin Dances:

• Cha-Cha: A vibrant, rhythmic dance with a distinct "cha-cha-cha" step.
• Jive: A lively, uninhibited form of the swing dance.
• Paso Doble: A Spanish dance styled after the drama of a bullfight.
• Salsa: A fusion of Caribbean, Latin American, and African rhythms.
• Samba: A lively, rhythmic Brazilian dance.

The show also frequently features specialty dances like Jazz, Contemporary, Bollywood, Hip-Hop, and Freestyle, which are often reserved for themed nights or the finale.