Dancing With the Stars fans, we’re going behind the scenes.
The hit competition series returns for season 35 this fall on ABC, with new celebrities vying for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. But as true fans know, behind every great competitor is an incredible professional dance partner. Take season 34 winners Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, for example—how could Robert have pulled off his stunning dance routines without Witney’s help?
Given how important the pros are on Dancing With the Stars, viewers often wonder how they become part of the show—and that’s where DWTS’ new spinoff comes in.
According to an announcement made on Instagram on April 22, the Dancing With the Stars franchise will expand to include a competition series to find the show’s next pro dancer. Titled Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, the show is set to air on ABC on Monday, July 13, 2026.
Robert, the latest DWTS winner, will host. Mark Ballas and his mother, famed ballroom dancer Shirley Ballas, will join the show as judges.
“It's a journey to the ballroom like never before. 🪩,” the caption read alongside the official promo. “Join host @robertirwinphotography for Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, premiering Monday, July 13 on ABC!”
Past pros from the show sounded off in the comments.
“THIS IS MAJOR,” Ezra Sosa screamed. “Sooooo excited for this 👀🔥😍,” Jenna Johnson teased. “👀👀 can’t wait for this!!” Britt Stewart added.
Fans were equally intrigued by the spinoff news.
“LOVE THIS!! It’s going to be SO good!” one person wrote. “A peak behind the curtain 👀❤️🔥 I’ve been waiting for this moment,” another agreed. “This is going to be the most exciting show watching all Pros dancing. I am so excited!! 💃🏻 🕺🏻” a different follower added.
While it’ll still be some time before Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro officially premieres, Robert and Witney took a moment during the Dancing With the Stars live tour to reveal their excitement.
“I am so excited to be back with my ballroom family to host this new era of DWTS,” Robert wrote on Instagram. “Witney and I took a little detour from the DWTS live tour to make the exciting announcement. And if you wondered what a day in the life on tour looks like, well this is it!”
We’ll be marking our calendars!
