Blab Entertainment
Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars Set to Return with Long-Time Judges and New Celebrity Lineup
Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars is slated to light up the airwaves on September 15 and 16, 2026, with back‑to‑back 8 p.m. ET episodes airing on ABC and Disney+. Viewers who prefer to stream will find the same shows on Hulu the following day.
The show’s core trio—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli—will return for the 35th season in which the three have judged together. Hough, who stepped into the judge’s chair in season 29 after a long career as a professional dancer, called the upcoming season “different” and “energized.” He told Good Morning America that the cast is “incredible,” the pros are “energized,” and he “cannot wait” for the new show.
So far, the celebrity lineup announced includes Jackson Olson, the Savannah Bananas’ second baseman; Maura Higgins, a The Traitors star; and Ciara Miller, known from Summer House. The full roster, along with the professional partners who will dance beside them, will be revealed on Good Morning America on Wednesday, September 2.
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will reprise their roles as co‑hosts. Ribeiro said the show’s “magic” comes from the thoughtful pairings of celebrity and pro dancers, while Hough hinted at a special theme night featuring “really fun” fashion.
Season 35 follows the familiar format that has made Dancing with the Stars the longest‑running reality competition in U.S. television history. Each week, well‑known personalities pair with professional ballroom and Latin dancers to perform choreographed routines. Judges score the performances, and viewers vote to decide which couples advance.
Produced by ABC Studios and distributed by Disney Television Studios, the series is broadcast across ABC, Disney+ and Hulu—platforms all owned by The Walt Disney Company, which also owns ABC News.
After the two‑night premiere, the show will maintain its tradition of live episodes on both ABC and Disney+. Episodes will also be available on Disney+ and streamed the next day on Hulu, ensuring that fans can follow the competition across traditional and digital platforms.
The announcement of judges and hosts was made on September 1 during a Good Morning America episode, and the full cast reveal on September 2 will give fans the complete list of contestants and their professional partners.
With its long‑time judges back and a fresh roster of celebrity talent, Season 35 is poised to continue the franchise’s legacy of high‑energy performances and audience engagement.
The launch arrives as the franchise expands its digital footprint, with Disney+ and Hulu offering on‑demand access to past seasons. The combination of live broadcasts and streaming availability reflects Disney’s strategy to reach viewers across both traditional and digital media.
As the premiere approaches, audiences can expect the familiar blend of dance, drama and entertainment that has defined Dancing with the Stars for 35 seasons, reaffirming its status as a staple of American reality television.
The show’s core trio—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli—will return for the 35th season in which the three have judged together. Hough, who stepped into the judge’s chair in season 29 after a long career as a professional dancer, called the upcoming season “different” and “energized.” He told Good Morning America that the cast is “incredible,” the pros are “energized,” and he “cannot wait” for the new show.
So far, the celebrity lineup announced includes Jackson Olson, the Savannah Bananas’ second baseman; Maura Higgins, a The Traitors star; and Ciara Miller, known from Summer House. The full roster, along with the professional partners who will dance beside them, will be revealed on Good Morning America on Wednesday, September 2.
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will reprise their roles as co‑hosts. Ribeiro said the show’s “magic” comes from the thoughtful pairings of celebrity and pro dancers, while Hough hinted at a special theme night featuring “really fun” fashion.
Season 35 follows the familiar format that has made Dancing with the Stars the longest‑running reality competition in U.S. television history. Each week, well‑known personalities pair with professional ballroom and Latin dancers to perform choreographed routines. Judges score the performances, and viewers vote to decide which couples advance.
Produced by ABC Studios and distributed by Disney Television Studios, the series is broadcast across ABC, Disney+ and Hulu—platforms all owned by The Walt Disney Company, which also owns ABC News.
After the two‑night premiere, the show will maintain its tradition of live episodes on both ABC and Disney+. Episodes will also be available on Disney+ and streamed the next day on Hulu, ensuring that fans can follow the competition across traditional and digital platforms.
The announcement of judges and hosts was made on September 1 during a Good Morning America episode, and the full cast reveal on September 2 will give fans the complete list of contestants and their professional partners.
With its long‑time judges back and a fresh roster of celebrity talent, Season 35 is poised to continue the franchise’s legacy of high‑energy performances and audience engagement.
The launch arrives as the franchise expands its digital footprint, with Disney+ and Hulu offering on‑demand access to past seasons. The combination of live broadcasts and streaming availability reflects Disney’s strategy to reach viewers across both traditional and digital media.
As the premiere approaches, audiences can expect the familiar blend of dance, drama and entertainment that has defined Dancing with the Stars for 35 seasons, reaffirming its status as a staple of American reality television.
