Get your glitterball ready, the start date for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 has finally been confirmed and we've got just a few weeks to wait to watch the new series.
As the weather has now finally changed, we're thinking ahead to Autumn and getting cosy in front of the TV while watching our favourite dancing competition series.
The show will be heading into its 24th season and this time with a brand new set of hosts as Emma Willis, Josh Widdecombe and former Strictly pro dancer Johannes Rabede take on presenting duties following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepping down from the series.
And now that the full line-up has been confirmed, with stars including Dani Dyer and Cach Mercer, we're desperate to know when we can watch the celebrities learn to samba, rumba and waltz.
Here's what we know about the release date of the new series.
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2026 start?
According to The Sun, the BBC has confirmed the first Strictly Come Dancing show will take place on Saturday 19 September.
This will be the pre-recorded launch show, which will see the new celebrities find out who their professional dance partners will be for the rest of the competition.
The first live show will then take place the following Saturday 26 September and we'll get a first real look at the celebrities' dancing abilities.
The show won't have it's first dance off until the following week on Sunday 4 October, in order to give all the pairings a solid chance at showing off their skills.
As per all Strictly series, the show will then run until just before Christmas in the final weeks of December when one celebrity and their professional dancer partner are crowned the winner of the series and handed the coveted glitterball trophy.
Ahhh, someone pass us the fake tan! It's Strictly season!
