‘Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro’: What to Know About the Spinoff Series

Alyssa Norwin April 22, 2026, 7:51 pm

The Dancing With the Stars universe is expanding. A new spinoff series called Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro is coming to ABC. The show was first rumored in February, and Hulu confirmed the news at the Get Real event in April.

As the title suggests, the show will feature the search for a new pro dancer to star on the beloved competition show. Up-and-coming professional dancers will live together in a house and compete for their chance to be partnered with a celebrity on an upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars.

Scroll down for everything we know about the new series. There will be some familiar faces, including a host who DWTS fans will love and recognize.

When does Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro premiere?

The show premieres on July 13, 2026, at 8/7c on ABC. Episodes will be available the next day on Hulu, as well.

Who will host Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?

Robert Irwin will be hosting the new series. Irwin was a contestant on Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars and won the Mirrorball Trophy alongside his pro partner, Witney Carson.

The Irwins have long been part of the DWTS family, as Robert’s sister, Bindi Irwin, is also a Mirrorball champion. She won Season 21 with Derek Hough in 2015.

Who will judge Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?

Mark Ballas, a longtime pro on Dancing With the Stars, is judging alongside his mother, Shirley Ballas. Shirley has coached Mark, Derek, and Julianne Hough, and more over the years and is currently the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing in the U.K.