“Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” a new competition series to find the show's next professional dancer, premieres tonight, July 13, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. The show will feature 12 dancers competing through weekly challenges and eliminations.
Hosted by Season 34 mirrorball champion Robert Irwin, the series includes three-time winner Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas, on its judging panel. Each week, a current “DWTS” pro or judge will serve as a guest judge. Derek Hough will join Mark and Shirley for the premiere episode, followed by pro Brandon Armstrong in the second week.
Competitors will face challenges designed around specific skills and dance styles, with a mentor and guest judge guiding them each week. The first episode will focus on samba and jive techniques, while the second will emphasize connection, storytelling, and partnership.
The 12 contestants include Stephani Sosa, a former member of the “DWTS” troupe, and AJ Pritchard, who previously competed on “Strictly Come Dancing.” Other dancers in the competition are Benjamin Castro, Allen Genkin, Selena Hamilton, Natalie Jolley, Erik Linder, Nina Mayster, Jake Monreal, Briar Nolet, Tristen Sanders, and Adele Zaikman.
New episodes of “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro” will be available on Disney+ and Hulu on Tuesday mornings, the day after their Monday night premieres on ABC. The flagship series, “Dancing with the Stars” Season 35, is slated for a Fall 2026 release window, with celebrity contestants including Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins, Jackson Olson, and Guillermo Rodriguez already announced.