You're probably sitting on your couch, scrolling through Disney+ or flipping past ABC, wondering why the glitter and spandex have vanished from your Tuesday nights. It happens every year. The post-finale blues hit hard once the Mirrorball Trophy is hoisted and the confetti is swept away. If you're looking for the short answer to when is the next Dancing With the Stars, you’re essentially looking toward the crisp air of autumn.
The show has found its rhythm as a fall-season staple.
While the network hasn't slapped a specific calendar date on the premiere yet—they usually wait until the summer heat is unbearable to do that—history is a loud teacher here. For years, the ballroom has swung its doors open in mid-to-late September. Specifically, we're eyeing the third or fourth week of September 2026 for the Season 34 premiere. It’s a pattern as predictable as a Bruno Tonioli standing ovation.
Why the Wait for the Next Season Feels So Long
Television schedules are weirdly rigid. You’d think a massive hit like DWTS would want to run twice a year, and for a long time, it did. We used to get a spring cycle and a fall cycle. It was glorious. But the industry shifted. Producing a live, two-hour spectacle with high-end choreography and pyrotechnics is an expensive nightmare for accountants. By moving to a once-a-year format, the show actually saved itself from the chopping block.
It creates scarcity. It makes the "Stars" feel a bit more like actual stars because the casting directors have ten months to hunt down the people everyone is actually talking about in the news.
The move to Disney+ a few years back was a massive experiment that eventually led to the current hybrid model where it airs on both ABC and the streaming platform simultaneously. This "simulcast" approach is basically the gold standard now. It captures the older demographic that still uses an antenna and the younger crowd that doesn't even know what a cable box looks like.
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The Casting Rumors That Actually Matter
Don't believe every "leaked" list you see on TikTok. Most of them are just fan-made wish lists. However, if you want to know who is actually going to be on when is the next Dancing With the Stars begins, you have to look at who is currently "mainstreaming."
The show loves a few specific archetypes:
- The Olympic athlete who just finished a summer cycle.
- The controversial reality TV villain looking for a "redemption arc."
- The nostalgic sitcom star from the 90s.
- The Bachelorette who just got her heart broken or found love.
The casting process usually doesn't finalize until August. That’s when the paparazzi start catching blurry photos of people in hoodies sneaking into the Los Angeles rehearsal studios. If you see a disgraced politician or a viral gymnast suddenly doing a lot of interviews on Good Morning America, consider that a massive "tell."
How the Judging Panel is Shaping Up
Let’s talk about the desk. Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough are the trio that keeps the engine running. Since the passing of the legendary Len Goodman, the show has leaned heavily into Derek’s technical expertise to provide that "head judge" energy, even if he doesn't officially hold the title in the same way.
There’s always talk about adding a fourth permanent judge. Sometimes they bring in guest judges like Paula Abdul or former winners, but honestly? The three-person dynamic works. It leaves more time for the actual dancing. In a two-hour window, every second spent on judging feedback is a second taken away from a troupe performance or a sentimental video package.
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The chemistry between Bruno and Carrie Ann is basically a legacy feature at this point. They disagree, they shout, and Bruno almost falls out of his chair at least once an episode. That’s not just TV; that’s the brand.
Technical Changes in the Ballroom
Behind the scenes, the show has undergone a massive digital facelift. The lighting rigs in the 2020s are lightyears ahead of what they used for the first few seasons. We’re talking about augmented reality overlays that make it look like the floor is turning into a lake or a forest.
Some purists hate it. They think it distracts from the footwork.
But from a production standpoint, it's what keeps the show competitive against things like The Masked Singer or The Voice. It’s a visual feast. When the next season kicks off, expect even more integration with social media trends. The "TikTok-ification" of the choreography is real. Pro dancers like Alan Bersten and Witney Carson are hyper-aware of what moves will go viral, and they bake those into the routines.
The Pro Dancer Shake-up
The pros are the actual celebrities of the show. Let's be real. We care more about who Peta Murgatroyd or Val Chmerkovskiy is partnered with than we do about the actual "star."
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The roster for the next season is always a bit of a gamble. Dancers take seasons off for pregnancies, injuries, or just pure burnout. Touring is grueling. If you’ve ever seen the DWTS Live tour, you know they are doing eight shows a week across the country. By the time the next TV season rolls around, some of your favorites might decide to hang up the ballroom shoes for a year to rest their knees.
What to Watch While You Wait
If you’re desperate for a ballroom fix and can't wait until September, you aren't totally out of luck.
- The DWTS Official Tour: Usually runs through the winter and early spring. It’s the best way to see the pros up close without the filter of a camera lens.
- Strictly Come Dancing: This is the British version of the show. It’s where it all started. You can often find clips or full episodes online. The vibe is a bit more formal, but the talent is insane.
- Social Media: Follow the pros on Instagram. They spend their "off-season" doing conventions and workshops. It’s where you’ll get the first hints of who is returning.
Actionable Steps for the Superfan
To stay ahead of the curve and ensure you don't miss the premiere announcement, do these three things:
- Set a Google Alert for "Dancing With the Stars Season 34 Premiere." You'll get an email the second ABC drops the official press release, which usually happens in late July or early August during the TCA (Television Critics Association) press tour.
- Watch the 'Good Morning America' Casting Reveal: This is tradition. They usually announce the full cast about two weeks before the premiere. It’s a chaotic, two-hour live event where the stars are revealed one by one.
- Check your Disney+ Subscription: If you cancelled it after the last finale, remember that the live voting experience is often much smoother through the app than through traditional SMS.
The ballroom is quiet for now, but the preparation for the next cycle is already happening in production offices in Los Angeles. The floor is being waxed, the sequins are being sewn, and the next crop of celebrities is currently trying to figure out how to do a cha-cha without breaking an ankle. See you in September.