The sequins are already being stitched. Honestly, if you're a fan of the ballroom, you know the late summer "will they, won't they" anticipation regarding the cast is basically a sport in itself. But the biggest question every single year is the exact timing of that first spray tan.
The dwts premiere date 2025 was Tuesday, September 16.
It kicked off at 8 p.m. ET, and if you were watching live, you saw it hit both ABC and Disney+ at the same time. This simulcast thing has really become the new normal for the show. It’s a far cry from that one weird year where we were all forced to move exclusively to streaming.
The 20th Anniversary Magic
2025 wasn't just another season. It was the 20th anniversary of the franchise. Because of that, the premiere felt less like a standard episode and more like a massive "welcome home" party for fans who have been around since the Kelly Monaco days.
The schedule followed a very specific rhythm this year. Since the premiere landed on Sept. 16, the show occupied its traditional Tuesday night slot. Here’s how that timeline actually looked for the first month:
- Sept. 16: The big premiere.
- Sept. 23: One-Hit Wonders Night (a double elimination that absolutely gutted some fan favorites).
- Sept. 30: TikTok Night.
- Oct. 7: The mandatory Disney Night.
We didn't see many "surprise" breaks in the schedule this time around. Sometimes Monday Night Football or a presidential debate messes with the flow, but the 2025 fall run stayed pretty consistent on Tuesdays.
Who Actually Showed Up?
You can’t talk about the premiere date without talking about who was actually standing on that floor when the lights came up. The cast announcement happened on September 3, just about two weeks before the first episode.
Robert Irwin was the first one we knew about—all the way back in April. It made sense. His sister Bindi is basically DWTS royalty. Seeing him paired with Witney Carson felt like a full-circle moment for the show’s legacy.
But then things got... eclectic.
We had Alix Earle, who brought a massive younger audience from TikTok, and Dylan Efron (yes, Zac’s brother), who surprisingly turned out to be a powerhouse with Daniella Karagach. Then you had the 90s nostalgia hits like Danielle Fishel. Watching Topanga do a Cha-cha-cha is something most of us didn't know we needed until it happened.
The Pro Lineup Shakeup
The biggest shock for the 2025 season wasn't a celebrity, though. It was Mark Ballas. He came out of retirement to partner with Whitney Leavitt from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. People were skeptical. Mark is a creative genius, and seeing him return after "retiring" in Season 31 was the main reason a lot of long-term viewers tuned into the premiere.
Why the Tuesday Move Stuck
A lot of people still ask why the show isn't on Mondays anymore. Basically, Disney and ABC realized that the "Tuesday Night Ballroom" brand works better with their current streaming data.
By airing on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, they avoid the massive juggernaut of Monday Night Football. It gives the show room to breathe. Plus, it allows the episodes to drop on Hulu by Wednesday morning, which is when the "casual" viewers usually catch up.
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Key Takeaways for Viewers
If you missed the initial run or you're looking back at the 2025 stats, keep these details in mind:
- Simulcast is king: You can watch on the ABC app or Disney+ live.
- Voting window: It still happens during the live broadcast. If you’re on the West Coast watching a tape delay, you’ve basically already missed your chance to save your favorite.
- The Finale: Because the dwts premiere date 2025 was in mid-September, the season wrapped up with a massive three-hour finale on November 25, 2025.
For anyone tracking the show's evolution, this season proved that the "vintage" reality TV format still has legs. The mix of high-production value, legitimate athletes like Jordan Chiles, and the return of veteran pros like Mark Ballas and Witney Carson kept the ratings stable in a year where most linear TV is struggling.
To stay ahead of future announcements, keep an eye on the official Disney+ press room and the Good Morning America casting reveals, which typically happen in the first week of September. For those wanting to rewatch the 20th-anniversary season, the full catalog is currently hosted on Disney+ under the Season 34 tab.