Is ‘DWTS’ coming back for season 35? Here’s what we know after hit ABC dance show ended with record ratings
The milestone journey of 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 34 has finally reached its destination. The much-loved season witnessed celebrity contestants leaving no stone unturned to impress judges and fans alike. Not only that, but Season 34 also delivered the show's highest viewership in years, with multiple weeks of steady growth. However, with the end of the competition, fans are left wondering about 'DWTS' Season 35's release, and fortunately, we have the tea for you.
'Dancing with the Stars' Season 35 is expected to follow the show's traditional release pattern, meaning it will likely premiere in mid-September 2026, just like most previous seasons. ABC hasn't officially confirmed the exact premiere date yet, but unless the network makes a major scheduling change, fans can expect a similar timeline, as per Parade. As for which night it will air, nothing is confirmed yet, but Tuesday is the most likely choice. The show moved to Tuesday nights starting in Season 32 and has stayed there since, so ABC will probably keep it in that slot.
Talking about the time slot, episodes are expected to air live from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET, following the same format the show currently follows. This two-hour live block allows viewers across the U.S. to watch the dances, judges' critiques, and eliminations in real time. Season 35 is also expected to air simultaneously on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu, continuing the format introduced in 2023. Thanks to Alfonso Ribeiro's experience since Season 31 and Julianne Hough's long history as a pro dancer and former judge, the hosting duo will likely retain their duties for the next season.
Casting for Season 35 hasn't begun yet; last year's first reveal, Robert Irwin, didn't arrive until April, so it'll be some time before names surface. As for the professional dancers, familiar faces such as Val Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Alan Bersten, Britt Stewart, Witney Carson, Ezra Sosa, Brandon Armstrong, Rylee Arnold, and Pasha Pashkov are all strong possibilities, with Mark Ballas potentially returning if he's interested. The judging panel hasn't been confirmed yet, but it will most likely include longtime judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, who have sat together on the panel since Season 29.
Tonioli and Inaba have been with the show since its debut in 2005, while Hough joined during the final years of Len Goodman's tenure before his passing in 2023, as per TV Insider. The show typically sticks to a three-judge format, though it has occasionally expanded to four judges, especially when Hough served on the panel or during the overlap with Goodman. Meanwhile, Season 34 crowned wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and his pro partner, Witney Carson, as the new winners of the Mirrorball Trophy.
