Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Premieres with Two-Night Event

Dancing with the Stars returned for its 35th season on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, launching a special two-night premiere event on ABC and Disney+. The competition began with male celebrities and their professional partners taking the ballroom floor, with one contestant set to be eliminated at the end of the night. The female celebrities will compete on Wednesday, September 16, with another elimination to follow. The new season features 16 celebrity contestants, including actors Harry Shum Jr. and Julia Stiles, figure skater Amber Glenn, reality TV personalities Tyler Cameron and Ciara Miller, and chef Giada De Laurentiis. Each celebrity will perform to a number one song from the year they were born, with selections including Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way," Santana's "Smooth," and Dolly Parton's "9 to 5." Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as co-hosts. The judging panel consists of Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough. Following the two-night premiere, the show will air in its regular Tuesday-night slot. The premiere is available to stream live on Disney+ and for free via trials on services like Fubo, DIRECTV, and Sling TV.