The thirty-fourth season of Dancing with the Stars recently concluded with a record-breaking run, leaving fans eager for the next chapter. While ABC has not made an official announcement, the strong performance of the past season makes the return of the show highly likely. Based on the show’s established patterns, viewers can make an educated guess about when to expect new episodes and what the new season might hold.
When to Expect the New Season
Dancing with the Stars has settled into a reliable annual schedule. The show has traditionally premiered in the fall, with recent seasons kicking off in September.
While an official premiere date for Season 35 will only be confirmed after a renewal announcement, the pattern suggests a start in mid-September 2026. This timeline follows the show’s recent history; for instance, Season 34 was officially renewed in April 2025 and premiered the following September. The show has consistently aired on Tuesday nights on ABC for the past few seasons.
Behind the Show’s Renewal Chances
The official green light for Season 35 is still pending from ABC. However, the prospects for renewal look very strong. Season 34 proved to be a major hit for the network, delivering its strongest ratings in years. The November 11 episode alone reached 6.67 million viewers, the highest number for a pre-Semifinals episode in six years.
This surge in popularity and the significant online buzz around the show make it a strong candidate to be part of ABC’s 2026 programming lineup. The network typically announces renewals several months in advance, so an official update is expected in the coming months.
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Returning Hosts and Judges
The show’s current hosting and judging panel is expected to remain stable for the next season. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are anticipated to return as hosts, guiding the celebrities and professional dancers through the competition.
On the judges’ panel, fans can likely expect to see the return of Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. This trio has served as the core judging panel for several seasons. The show also frequently features guest judges throughout the season, though these announcements are typically made much closer to the air date of specific episodes.
Format and Fan Reactions
The show’s format has been a topic of discussion. During the 20th-anniversary episode in Season 34, former host Tom Bergeron made a direct plea to the network. He stated, “This show is setting ratings records again, so next season bring back the results show. Let the whole country vote.”
This refers to the older format where the show aired over two nights, allowing more time for viewers across the country to vote. However, a producer on the show indicated that a return to the two-night format is not currently planned, noting, “It’d be fun to do those again, but I feel we’re doing great right now.”
When to Expect Cast Announcements
The lineup of celebrities and their professional partners is one of the most anticipated reveals before a new season. The full cast for Season 35 will not be announced until after the season gets an official renewal. Based on past seasons, the full roster of contestants is typically revealed in early September, just a couple of weeks before the premiere episode airs. Occasionally, a few participants are announced earlier in the summer.
The show continues to air live on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the following day.
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