Dancing with the Stars 2025: Season 34 cast and premiere date

Few TV traditions feel as reliably exciting as the moment a new Dancing with the Stars cast is unveiled, and Season 34 — the show’s milestone 20th anniversary — just delivered that rush again. Between the official premiere date locked for September 16, 2025, and a lineup that includes Jen Affleck, Alix Earle, and Corey Feldman, here’s what we actually know and how it all came together.

Premiere date: September 16, 2025 ·
Season label: 20th anniversary ·
Confirmed contestants: 13 ·
Official cast reveal: Good Morning America, September 2025 ·
Streaming: ABC, Disney+, Hulu

The Season 34 cast: who’s in and who’s paired with whom

Here is the official list of confirmed contestants and their professional partners for Season 34:

The implication: By blending familiarity with fresh faces, ABC aims to capture both longtime loyalists and younger viewers.

Premiere date and broadcast details: what’s confirmed

ABC officially announced the Season 34 premiere date on July 17, 2025, confirming that the live show would air Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT across ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu (TV Insider).

• The season is explicitly branded as the show’s 20th anniversary season by ABC (ABC Updates)
• Celebrity cast and professional partners were revealed on Good Morning America in early September (ABC Updates)
• Next-day streaming availability on Hulu has been confirmed by the network

The implication: ABC is betting big on the nostalgia factor of the 20th anniversary, and the dual-platform strategy (linear TV and Disney+) suggests the network is chasing younger audiences who prefer streaming.

Rumors and speculation: what still lacks official confirmation

While the core facts are solid, several claims from the pre-season rumor mill remain unconfirmed by ABC or any Tier 1 source. These should be treated as speculation until official announcements appear.

• Guest judges for the anniversary season have not been named by ABC
• Themed weeks (“Disney Night,” “Taylor Swift Night,” etc.) are unconfirmed
• Return of past champions for one-off performances is rumored but not verified
• No elimination schedule or voting window details have been published
• No official confirmation of a judges’ save twist has been made
• Some social media users have speculated about a surprise late addition to the cast after the premiere
• Fan forums have discussed a possible Len Goodman tribute night, but ABC has not addressed it
• Unconfirmed reports suggest missing contestants may return for a finale reunion
• Rumors about a potential ’80s themed week have circulated without confirmation

The pattern: ABC’s cautious disclosure suggests they want to control the narrative and maximize suspense rather than reveal everything at once.

Timeline: how the Season 34 reveal unfolded

The rollout of Season 34 information followed a deliberate, broadcast-news-friendly cadence, with key milestones spread over roughly two months.

• July 17, 2025 — ABC confirmed the season renewal and announced the September 16 premiere date via a press release picked up by TV Insider
• Early September 2025 — Full cast list was unveiled on Good Morning America, as confirmed by ABC Updates
• September 3, 2025 — TV Insider reported the full cast list was officially published that day (TV Insider)
• September 16, 2025 — Live premiere broadcast (8-10 p.m. EDT)

The catch: The seven‑week interval gave ABC time to generate excitement while keeping the biggest surprises under wraps until the final weeks before the premiere.

Frequently asked questions

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ABC has given viewers confirmed facts as a starting point, but the full picture will only emerge when the first live dance begins on September 16. For the dedicated Dancing with the Stars fan counting down, the confirmed facts are a solid start — but the 20th anniversary season has more surprises still under wraps.