Strictly Come Dancing Series 23 launches on BBC One on 20 September 2025, with live competitions beginning a week later and the Grand Final scheduled for 20 December 2025. The 2026 Live Tour fills the post-Christmas gap with arena shows across the UK.
Launch Show: 20 September 2025 · Live Shows Start: 27 September 2025 · Grand Final: 20 December 2025 · Live Tour: January–February 2026 · Broadcast: BBC One and iPlayer
Quick snapshot
- Launch show aired 20 Sep 2025 (The Independent)
- Live shows began 27 Sep 2025 (The Independent)
- Final scheduled 20 Dec 2025 (The Independent)
- Exact 2026 TV series start date not yet announced
- Full 2026 celebrity cast unconfirmed
- Tour opens Birmingham 17 Jan 2026 (BBC Studios)
- Tour closes London O2 9 Feb 2026 (BBC Studios)
- Series 23 continues weekly through December (BBC Studios)
- 2026 tour tickets available now (BBC Studios)
Six key dates define the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 calendar, moving from launch through live shows to the season finale.
The key milestones span September through December, with the launch show and live competitions bookending the autumn schedule.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Current Series | Series 23 |
| Launch Date | 20 September 2025 |
| Live Shows From | 27 September 2025 |
| Final | 20 December 2025 |
| Tour 2026 Opens | 17 January 2026 (Birmingham) |
What date will Strictly start?
Strictly Come Dancing Series 23 officially launched on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 20 September 2025, with the launch show beginning at 6:40pm BST. The launch was pre-recorded on 10 September 2025 and ran for nearly two hours, finishing at 8:30pm BST. Unlike most episodes, the launch show is not live — it introduces the celebrity contestants, reveals their professional dance partners, and features a group routine.
Strictly Come Dancing series 23 launch
The launch show on 20 September 2025 followed BBC News and preceded Michael McIntyre’s 25th Year Stand-Up Special. Celebrity contestants announced at launch included Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, and George Clarke. The pairings between celebrities and professional dancers were revealed during this episode, which is available on BBC iPlayer shortly after broadcast.
Live shows schedule
The first live Saturday show aired on 27 September 2025 at 6:55pm BST, a week after the launch. All subsequent Saturday episodes are live broadcasts from the Strictly studios. The first Sunday results show aired on 5 October 2025, which is when the first celebrity elimination is announced.
When does Strictly start 2026?
While the TV series wraps in December 2025, Strictly fans can experience the show live in arenas starting January 2026. The Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour opens in Birmingham Utilita Arena on 17 January 2026. Tickets went on sale at 10:00am on Friday 20 September 2025.
Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2026
The 2026 tour features 30 shows across UK arenas, closing at London O2 on 9 February 2026. Judges Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood all appear on the tour. Motsi Mabuse makes her UK tour debut in 2025. Janette Manrara hosts the tour, which is produced by Stage Entertainment UK and Phil McIntyre Live in association with BBC Studios. For casting details and venue-specific information, fans should check the official tour site.
Series 24 confirmation
BBC has not yet announced an official start date for the 2026 TV series (Series 24) as of this writing. The tour is expected to bridge the gap between Series 23 and whatever comes next, with the annual tour running since 2008.
What time is Strictly on tonight?
Saturday episodes of Strictly Come Dancing typically begin at 6:55pm or 7pm BST on BBC One, with the first live show on 27 September airing at precisely 6:55pm BST. The show is also available live and on-demand via BBC iPlayer.
Saturday episodes
Saturday night is the main show, featuring celebrity couples performing two dances for the judges’ scores. The launch show on 20 September started slightly earlier at 6:40pm BST, running until 8:30pm BST, but standard Saturday live shows begin at 6:55pm BST.
Sunday results shows
Sunday episodes air the following day and reveal which couples received the lowest scores from the judges. The first results show aired on 5 October 2025. These episodes are typically shorter than Saturday shows and include a live studio audience reaction to the weekend’s scores.
Viewers should settle in by 6:55pm BST on Saturdays — the BBC iPlayer stream goes live simultaneously with the broadcast.
What time does Strictly finish?
Episode runtimes vary depending on the show type. The launch show ran for approximately one hour and fifty minutes, finishing around 8:30pm BST. Standard Saturday live shows typically run around two hours, concluding between 9pm and 9:30pm BST. Sunday results episodes are generally shorter, usually wrapping up by 8pm BST.
Episode runtimes
The launch episode is always longer as it introduces all contestants, reveals pairings, and features a group performance. Live Saturday shows with eliminations and double scoring nights may occasionally run longer depending on special theme weeks like Blackpool.
Tonight’s schedule
Blackpool week, one of the most anticipated episodes, aired on Saturday 22 November 2025 at the Tower Ballroom. These special episodes sometimes extend beyond the typical runtime due to the elaborate production at the historic venue.
Planning an evening around Strictly means allowing roughly two hours from the advertised start time — Saturday shows run until approximately 9pm BST on most weeks.
Who are the Strictly Come Dancing professionals?
The professional dancer lineup for Strictly Come Dancing rotates each series, with new faces joining alongside established names. For the 2025 series, professional dancers were paired with celebrities including Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, and George Clarke.
Key dancers like Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita Kuzmin has been a standout professional dancer in recent series. Search interest in his personal life and any health updates reflects the strong connection fans feel with the professional roster. The professional dancers bring diverse backgrounds and training to the show, contributing to its reputation as a world-class dance competition.
Kai Widdrington background
Kai Widdrington is among the professional dancers fans frequently search for background information on, including questions about his heritage and dance career. Professional dancers undergo rigorous training and bring expertise across multiple dance styles, from Latin to contemporary, to pair with their celebrity partners each series.
Professional lineups shift between series — for confirmed pairings each year, check BBC’s official Strictly pages closer to each launch. For confirmed pairings each year, check BBC’s official Strictly pages closer to each launch, or find out when Strictly starts in 2025 and more at Italia digitale progetto 2026.
Timeline
Seven milestones mark the Strictly 2025-2026 season, from launch show to tour finale.
The timeline below consolidates verified dates from BBC Studios and independent sources.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 10 September 2025 | Launch show pre-recording |
| 20 September 2025 | Launch show broadcast + tour tickets on sale |
| 27 September 2025 | First live Saturday show |
| 5 October 2025 | First results show and elimination |
| 22 November 2025 | Blackpool week |
| 20 December 2025 | Series final |
| 17 January 2026 | Live tour opens in Birmingham |
| 9 February 2026 | Live tour closes at London O2 |
Clarity on what we know
Confirmed
- 2025 series dates from BBC and Wikipedia
- Launch show pre-recorded on 10 September 2025
- Tour 2026 confirmed for January–February arenas
- 30 tour dates across UK venues
- Judges and host confirmed for tour
Rumours or unconfirmed
- Exact 2026 TV series start date
- Full 2026 celebrity cast
- Future series professional dancer rosters
What they’re saying
The launch date for the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing has been announced – and fans don’t have much longer left to wait for its return.
— The Independent (UK entertainment news publication)
Get your score cards ready, your dancing shoes on and prepare for the return of the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour!
— BBC Studios (official production company)
Motsi Mabuse will be making her UK tour debut, joining fellow Strictly legends Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood.
— BBC Studios (official production company)
Strictly Come Dancing is a BAFTA Award-winning show that has been a staple of British Saturday night television since its debut. The show returned to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for Series 23 in September 2025.
For UK viewers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: catch the launch show on 20 September or wait a week for live competitions starting 27 September. Those wanting the arena experience should grab tour tickets now — they went on sale in September 2025, and with 30 shows across the UK, the 2026 tour gives fans a chance to see the judges, host, and professional dancers live before the next TV series begins.
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The grand final airs on 20 December, after which stars hit the road for the Strictly 2026 Live Tour details, launching its UK arena run on 17 January.
Frequently asked questions
What date will Strictly start?
Strictly Come Dancing Series 23 launched on Saturday 20 September 2025 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Live shows began on 27 September 2025.
When does Strictly start 2026?
The Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2026 opens in Birmingham on 17 January 2026 and runs through 9 February 2026. The next TV series start date has not been confirmed by BBC.
What time is Strictly on tonight Saturday?
Saturday episodes typically start at 6:55pm BST on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
What time is Strictly on tonight Sunday?
Sunday results shows air the day after Saturday performances, usually in the early evening. The first results show aired on 5 October 2025.
How long is Strictly on for tonight?
Standard Saturday live shows run approximately two hours, finishing around 9pm BST.
What time does Strictly finish?
Saturday shows typically conclude between 9pm and 9:30pm BST. Sunday results episodes are typically shorter.
Is Strictly Come Dancing coming back in 2026?
The Live Tour runs January–February 2026 with confirmed dates. The next TV series start date has not yet been announced by BBC.
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Sophie Marlowe is Culture & Lifestyle Editor at BritainNow.uk, covering arts, culture, lifestyle and society.