When does Strictly Come Dancing 2026 start? Date for launch show 'confirmed'
It's not long to wait...Strictly Come Dancing 2026 is right around the corner, but when does the new series start?
Strictly 2026 will reportedly launch on Saturday September 19. It means fans have just over a month to wait before the sequins return to Saturday nights.
The series also has a completed Strictly 2026 celebrity line-up. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe will replace long-time hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
According to The Sun, the launch will begin a run lasting until December. The professional dancer pairings have yet to come to light.
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2026 start?
Strictly Come Dancing’s launch episode will reportedly air on Saturday September 19. The competition will then go live one week later, on Saturday September 26.
The first live results programme will reportedly follow on Sunday October 4. Meanwhile, according to The Sun, the couples will battle for the Glitterball Trophy in the live final on Saturday December 19.
Those key dates take the competition through the autumn and towards Christmas. They also give viewers the main milestones for the new series before the celebrities enter the ballroom.
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
Strictly’s hosts and professional dancers change
Emma, Josh and Johannes will take charge of the revamped series. The trio succeed Claudia and Tess, bringing a major change at the top of the BBC dance competition.
The Strictly Come Dancing professional line-up will also look noticeably different this year. Five familiar dancers will not return for the 2026 competition.
Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez are leaving alongside Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas. Viewers must now wait to discover which celebrities and professionals will dance together.
Who is in the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 line-up?
Actors make up a large part of this year’s cast. Former EastEnders actress Lacey Turner will compete alongside Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters and Jaime Winstone.
House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia and Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb will also take to the dance floor.
The sporting contingent includes Paralympic cycling star Dame Sarah Storey, former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and Team GB athlete Tabby Stoecker.
Australian singer Delta Goodrem adds music to the mix, while celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton and YouTuber John Nellis will also compete. Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly presenter Graeme Hall and former T4 presenter Will Best complete the group of television and online names.
Love Island winner Dani Dyer will get another chance to compete after an injury forced her to withdraw from the previous series. Fellow Love Island name Cach Mercer has signed up too.
With the launch, first live show, first results programme and final now reportedly dated, the countdown to Strictly Come Dancing 2026 has begun.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 begins on Saturday September 19 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI technology to synthesise source reporting and structured data. It has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our human editorial team before publication.
