You're sitting there, scrolling through your phone, wondering when the glitter, the spray tans, and the inevitably awkward "journey" stories return to your screen. It happens every year. As soon as the leaves start to turn, the same question pops up: when start Dancing with the Stars? Honestly, the schedule has become a bit of a moving target lately, especially with the jump from ABC to Disney+ and then back to both.
It’s a ritual.
Since its debut in June 2005, the show has anchored the American television landscape. But it isn't just about the dancing. It’s about the chaotic casting choices—ranging from Olympic gold medalists to controversial political figures—that keep us arguing on Twitter (or X, if we're being technical). If you're looking for the hard date for the upcoming season, you usually need to keep your eyes peeled for the mid-September window. Specifically, the show traditionally premieres on the third or fourth Monday or Tuesday of September.
Why the Premiere Date for Dancing with the Stars Always Shifts
Television scheduling is a nightmare. It’s basically a high-stakes game of Tetris played by executives in suits who are terrified of losing to Monday Night Football. For years, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) owned Monday nights. It was the stable giant. But then the landscape shifted.
When you ask when start Dancing with the Stars, you have to look at the "Disney Era" of the show. In 2022, the show made a shocking move to Disney+, becoming the first live series on the platform. It was a massive experiment. Then, in a move that felt a bit like a "we missed you" card, ABC brought it back to the linear airwaves while keeping the live stream on Disney+. This "simulcast" model means the start date is now tied to both network television needs and streaming metrics.
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Most seasons kick off right around September 17th to September 24th. If there’s a massive sporting event or a Presidential debate, things get weird. In 2024, for example, the premiere date was tucked into a Tuesday slot to avoid the roar of the NFL. It’s all about the eyeballs.
The Casting Cycle and Its Impact on Timing
The show doesn’t just "start." It builds. First, we get the professional dancer reveals. These are the folks who actually do the heavy lifting—the Witney Carsons and Val Chmerkovskiys of the world. Then comes the slow drip of celebrity rumors.
By the time Good Morning America does its big "reveal" in early September, the celebrities have already been sweating in a rehearsal studio for weeks. They usually start training about 3-4 weeks before the first live broadcast. So, if you're wondering when start Dancing with the Stars in terms of the actual work being done, it’s usually happening in late August. The celebrities are hidden in oversized hoodies, sneaking into studios in Los Angeles to avoid paparazzi before the official announcement.
A History of Start Dates: Looking for Patterns
If you look at the track record, the show has tried a few different things. In the early years, they actually did two seasons a year—one in the spring and one in the fall. That was a lot. It was too much, frankly. The "Spring Season" usually started in March, but the show eventually moved to a once-a-year format to make it feel more like an "event."
- Season 30: Premiered September 20, 2021.
- Season 31: Premiered September 19, 2022 (The Disney+ debut).
- Season 32: Premiered September 26, 2023.
- Season 33: Premiered September 17, 2024.
See the pattern? It’s almost always that third or fourth week of September. It’s the sweet spot for the "Fall TV Season." It gives the show enough time to run its 10-12 week course and crown a winner just before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays hit. Nobody wants to be doing a Samba in a Santa hat if they can avoid it.
The Impact of Live Voting and Time Zones
One thing that complicates "when" the show starts is the live voting. Because the show is now live across all U.S. time zones on Disney+, the start time is strictly 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT. This was a game-changer. Previously, West Coast viewers were essentially watching a taped version and voting blindly or not at all. Now, the "start" is a synchronized national event.
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What to Do While You Wait for the Premiere
Waiting is the worst part. But there are ways to track the progress so you aren't caught off guard. First, follow the "pros" on Instagram. They are notoriously bad at keeping secrets. If you see them posting from a dance studio in North Hollywood in late August, the season is imminent.
Second, watch the Good Morning America schedule. They have an exclusive lock on the cast reveal. Usually, this happens the first or second Wednesday of September. Once that cast is named, you are exactly two weeks away from the first "Live from Hollywood!" shout from the hosts.
Common Misconceptions About the Start Date
People often think the show starts right after Labor Day. It almost never does. Networks like to let the "holiday" dust settle before launching their big guns. Also, there's a common myth that the show starts at the same time every year regardless of the day of the week. That’s not true either. As mentioned, the show has jumped between Mondays and Tuesdays depending on what else is on the ABC schedule—specifically The Bachelorette or Monday Night Football.
The Evolution of the Ballroom
The show has changed so much since Kelly Monaco won that first plastic trophy in 2005. The production value has skyrocketed. The lighting alone is probably worth more than the entire budget of Season 1. When the show starts now, it’s a high-definition, multi-platform extravaganza.
The move to include Alfonso Ribeiro alongside Julianne Hough as hosts has brought a certain "family" feel back to the ballroom. Alfonso, a former winner himself, knows the stress. Julianne, a former pro and judge, knows the technique. Their chemistry sets the tone for the premiere. If they look relaxed, it’s going to be a fun season. If they look stressed, expect some technical glitches.
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Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Fan
Don't just wait for the TV to tell you what to do. If you want to be ready for when start Dancing with the Stars, here is your checklist:
- Clear your Tuesday nights. While Monday was the long-time home, Tuesday has become a frequent fallback for the ballroom to avoid NFL conflicts. Keep both nights flexible in late September.
- Verify your Disney+ subscription. If you plan on watching without commercials or if you're a cord-cutter, make sure your login works. There is nothing worse than missing the first 10 minutes because of a "password reset" loop.
- Follow the hashtag #DWTS. The fan community on Reddit and Twitter is faster than any news outlet. They find the "paparazzi" shots of celebrities entering the rehearsal space before ABC even confirms they are on the show.
- Set a calendar alert for September 1st. This is your "warning shot." Start checking for the official press release from Disney/ABC around this time.
- Revisit the previous season's finale. It helps to remember who the reigning champ is (and who the pros were) so you can track the narrative arcs. Sometimes a pro who was eliminated early last year gets a "ringer" (a naturally talented celeb) the following year.
The ballroom is a place of high drama and even higher hemlines. Knowing when it starts is just the first step in surviving the three-month marathon of glitter and Sambas. Pay attention to those mid-September dates, watch the GMA announcements, and get your voting fingers ready.