Quick Read
- DWTS Live Tour 2026 runs from January to May with 74 shows across the US.
- Headliners include Val Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, and other pro dancers, with select season 34 finalists joining.
- Utah’s Center Stage Performing Arts has trained eight current DWTS pros, highlighting the state’s influence on American ballroom.
- Tickets are available via Ticketmaster and venue sites; VIP experiences offered in some cities.
- Each show features routines from the latest season, viral dances, and exclusive new numbers.
DWTS Tour 2026: A Ballroom Spectacle Returns
Ballroom fans, mark your calendars—Dancing With the Stars Live Tour 2026 is back, promising a coast-to-coast celebration of rhythm, sparkle, and stories. From January through May, the tour will hit 74 cities, kicking off in Akron, Ohio, and wrapping up in Salt Lake City, Utah. For dance lovers, this isn’t just another tour—it’s a high-voltage reunion of the show’s most beloved professional dancers, finalists, and, occasionally, surprise celebrities who’ve captivated millions on TV.
The Heart of the Tour: Pros, Finalists, and Show-Stopping Routines
What brings fans back, year after year, isn’t just the sequins and dramatic lifts—it’s the pros themselves. Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson, the married duo adored for their chemistry both on and off stage, headline the tour. This year, they’re bringing their young son along, adding a new, personal touch to their performances. Joining them are familiar faces: Emma Slater, Britt Stewart, Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov, Ezra Sosa, and Hailey Bills.
The creative vision is helmed by Emmy-winning choreographer Mandy Moore, whose inventive routines have shaped the DWTS stage for years. Audiences can expect a blend of crowd-favorite numbers from the latest season, viral TikTok-inspired dances, and brand-new pieces created exclusively for the tour. The show is a whirlwind—group numbers, jaw-dropping solos, and the kind of quickfire costume changes that make the whole night feel like a fusion of concert and Broadway spectacle.
Fans of season 34 are in for a treat. Several finalists—like Dylan Efron, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, Robert Irwin, Danielle Fishel, Andy Richter, and Elaine Hendrix—are slated to join select stops. And, as always, there’s the promise of unannounced celebrity guests, keeping the energy unpredictable and fresh. But don’t expect every city to feature a star cameo; those are reserved for special nights.
Ballroom’s New Hotbed: Utah’s Surprising DWTS Connection
Behind the glitz of the tour is a quieter story unfolding in Orem, Utah. ABC4 recently spotlighted Center Stage Performing Arts, a local studio that’s quietly become a pipeline for DWTS professionals. Since its founding in 1991, Center Stage has trained eight pros who have graced the show’s iconic floor. With over 700 students and 50 instructors, it’s a bustling hub of ambition, sweat, and artistry.
Alex Murillo, the studio’s CEO, credits their success to cross-training and a curriculum that fuses acting, singing, and dancing—a rare blend in the competitive world of ballroom. “Few students can do that, because they don’t have the syllabus,” Murillo explains. The result? Young dancers like Kamri Peterson, who started at seven and now dreams of joining the main DWTS cast after competing on the juniors’ version. She’s not alone. Many current pros, including Riley and Ezra, got their start here, and the studio’s coach Sasha Saltukhov beams with pride as he watches his proteges take their places under the national spotlight.
It’s not just about technique—it’s about community. Dancers at Center Stage describe the studio as a place of hope and hard work, where seeing last year’s classmates on TV inspires everyone to dream bigger. Saltukhov sums it up: “This is a unique space that can produce amazing talent. They come back every year and search for new people because they know what kind of product Center Stage delivers.”
What to Expect: Tickets, VIP Perks, and Live Energy
The tour’s format aims to replicate the electric, immersive energy of the DWTS ballroom—minus the TV commercial breaks. The pros interact directly with the crowd, and many cities offer special experiences like backstage photo ops and VIP packages. Tickets are available primarily through Ticketmaster, but fans can also purchase directly from individual venues. Pricing varies by location and seat, with premium and VIP options selling out quickly. If you want the best view (and maybe a selfie with your favorite dancer), it pays to buy early.
Every show is a fast-paced, tightly produced spectacle. Expect everything from Latin to contemporary, quickstep to freestyle, each routine tailored to highlight the dancers’ unique strengths. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer swept up by a viral dance clip, the tour delivers an up-close, unfiltered look at the artistry and athleticism that have made DWTS a household name for decades.
DWTS Live Tour 2026: More Than a Show
Ultimately, the DWTS tour is more than a traveling dance show—it’s a celebration of the journey from small-town studios to national stardom. It’s about the sweat and sacrifice behind every perfect twirl, and the power of dance to connect people across ages and backgrounds. Utah’s Center Stage, with its unassuming building and passionate students, stands as proof that tomorrow’s stars are training today, often far from the TV cameras.
For anyone who loves dance—whether for the athleticism, the artistry, or the pure thrill of live performance—DWTS Live Tour 2026 is the year’s must-see event. Check the full city list on their official website or Instagram, and secure your tickets before the best seats are gone. As every dancer knows, the right moment only comes once—don’t miss your chance to be part of it.
Assessment: The 2026 DWTS tour is more than an entertainment juggernaut; it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of ballroom and the grassroots communities, like Utah’s Center Stage, fueling its future. While ticket sales and celebrity appearances grab headlines, the heart of the story lies in the next generation of dancers—proving that America’s dance legacy is as much about local dreams as it is about national television.