Where to watch dancing with the stars next pro is a timely question for viewers who want to catch the first season after its August 31 finale. The new ABC competition has officially crowned its first winner, with Adele Zaikman earning the opportunity to join the professional cast of Dancing with the Stars Season 35. The completed season is available for U.S. viewers through streaming platforms, including Hulu and Disney+.
The first season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro premiered July 13, 2026, and followed 12 experienced dancers competing for one professional position on the flagship series. The finale aired Monday, August 31, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Episodes were made available for streaming after their television broadcasts.
For viewers discovering the show now, there is no need to wait for another weekly episode. The inaugural season has concluded, making this a good time to watch the competition from the beginning and see how Zaikman reached the final.
Where to Watch Dancing With the Stars Next Pro
ABC carried the original broadcasts on Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The network’s official show page now lists the first-season episodes and provides streaming access through Hulu.
Hulu is one of the main ways to watch the series on demand. Episodes became available the day after their ABC broadcasts. Hulu’s official viewing guide confirms that subscribers can stream the program after its television premiere.
Disney+ is another U.S. streaming option. Disney+’s official listing identifies the program as a 2026 series with one season and describes the competition involving 12 dancers seeking a professional position on Dancing with the Stars.
Current U.S. viewing options
| Platform | How to watch |
|---|---|
| ABC | Original television broadcasts |
| Hulu | On-demand streaming |
| Disney+ | Streaming |
| Hulu + Live TV | Live ABC programming in supported markets |
| YouTube TV | Live television option |
| Fubo | Live television option |
The most direct options are ABC for television and Hulu or Disney+ for streaming. Availability and subscription requirements can vary by service.
Has Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro Finished?
Yes. Season 1 concluded on August 31, 2026.
The finale was titled “The Final Step: Finale with Derek Hough and Witney Carson.” ABC scheduled the episode for 8 p.m. ET on August 31. The final three contestants competed for the title of Next Pro and the professional spot on Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars.
The finale brought the competition down to three dancers:
- Adele Zaikman
- AJ Pritchard
- Selena Hamilton
All three had survived a competition that began with 12 dancers.
Adele Zaikman ultimately won the inaugural season. Her victory means she will move into the main Dancing with the Stars competition as a professional dancer for Season 35.
Who Won Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?
Adele Zaikman is the winner of the first season.
Zaikman defeated AJ Pritchard and Selena Hamilton during the August 31 finale. Her victory secured the show’s main prize: a professional dancer position on Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars.
The win marked the conclusion of an eight-week competition designed specifically to identify a new professional for the established ABC dance series.
Zaikman entered the finale with two other finalists who had also demonstrated strong dance backgrounds. The final episode gave each contestant one last opportunity to show the judges that they had the performance skills and professional qualities required for the flagship show.
Her success now takes her from the spinoff into the main Dancing with the Stars ballroom.
When Did the Show Premiere?
The first episode premiered Monday, July 13, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
ABC created The Next Pro as an extension of the long-running Dancing with the Stars franchise. Instead of pairing celebrities with professional dancers, the new program focused on dancers who were already highly trained and wanted to earn a place among the show’s professional performers.
The contestants moved into one house in Australia and trained together while facing a series of challenges.
Those challenges were designed to test abilities that matter to a professional dancer. The competitors had to demonstrate technical skill, choreography, teamwork, chemistry, teaching ability and their capacity to perform under pressure.
That format made the series different from the regular Dancing with the Stars competition.
How Many Contestants Started the Competition?
The season began with 12 dancers.
The contestants competed through a series of weekly challenges before the field was gradually reduced. The goal remained the same throughout the competition: earn a professional position on Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars.
The final three were Zaikman, Pritchard and Hamilton.
Allen Genkin became the last contestant eliminated before the finale. His semifinal departure left the final three to compete in the season-ending episode.
The elimination process gave viewers a chance to see how different types of dancers handled the demands of professional ballroom entertainment.
Who Were the Finalists?
The final three contestants brought different dance backgrounds into the final stage.
Adele Zaikman
Zaikman became the first winner of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. She is an accomplished Latin dancer and entered the finale as one of the strongest contenders for the professional position.
Her victory puts her directly into the Season 35 professional lineup.
AJ Pritchard
Pritchard reached the finale alongside Zaikman and Hamilton. The British dancer brought previous experience from the professional dance world into the competition.
He finished as the runner-up after Zaikman was announced as the winner.
Selena Hamilton
Hamilton was the third finalist.
Her background includes contemporary dance, giving the finale a contrast in dance styles and performance approaches. She made it through the competition to become one of the final three candidates for the professional position.
Who Was Eliminated Before the Finale?
The nine dancers eliminated before the final three were:
- Briar Nolet
- Jake Monreal
- Benjamin “Benji” Castro
- Natalie Jolley
- Tristen Sanders
- Stephani Sosa
- Erik Linder
- Nina Mayster
- Allen Genkin
ABC’s competition recap confirms that Genkin was eliminated in the semifinals, leaving Zaikman, Pritchard and Hamilton to compete in the finale.
The progression from 12 dancers to three created the central storyline of the season. Every challenge became increasingly important as the contestants moved closer to the professional opportunity.
Who Hosts Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?
Robert Irwin hosts Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
Irwin is already part of the Dancing with the Stars family. He won the Season 34 Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy before taking on hosting duties for the new spinoff. ABC describes him as a wildlife conservationist and the Season 34 champion.
His role on The Next Pro placed him at the center of a competition involving dancers rather than celebrity contestants.
The show also gave viewers a closer look at what professional dancers need to bring to the ballroom beyond technical ability.
Who Are the Judges?
Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas served as the permanent judges.
Mark Ballas is a three-time Mirrorball Trophy winner, while Shirley Ballas is widely recognized for her expertise in Latin and ballroom dance. The pair evaluated contestants throughout the first season.
The program also used established Dancing with the Stars professionals as rotating mentors and guest judges.
The lineup included familiar names such as:
- Derek Hough
- Brandon Armstrong
- Britt Stewart
- Jenna Johnson
- Daniella Karagach
- Witney Carson
- Kym Johnson
The rotating format allowed contestants to receive feedback from professionals with different areas of expertise.
What Happened in the Finale?
The final episode featured Zaikman, Pritchard and Hamilton competing for the professional position.
The contestants performed with former Dancing with the Stars finalists Charli D’Amelio, Nev Schulman and Adam Rippon. Witney Carson joined Robert Irwin as co-host, while Derek Hough appeared as a guest judge.
The finale gave the remaining dancers one last opportunity to demonstrate the qualities needed to become a professional on the flagship series.
After the final performances and judging, Zaikman was named the winner.
Her victory was particularly significant because the prize was not simply a title. The winning contestant earned a place in the professional cast for the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.
How Many Episodes Does Season 1 Have?
The inaugural season consists of eight episodes.
ABC’s official episode listing shows the season beginning with “The Journey Begins: Technique With Derek Hough” and continuing through the August 31 finale.
The episodes covered a range of professional skills.
Early challenges focused on dance technique and storytelling. Later episodes tested group work, chemistry, creating memorable performances and teaching ballroom techniques to beginners.
The semifinal episode changed the format again by pairing the remaining contestants with established Dancing with the Stars professionals.
That progression was intended to show whether each dancer could handle the different responsibilities expected from a professional partner.
Can You Still Watch the First Season?
Yes.
Although the weekly television run has ended, viewers can still use streaming services to catch up on the series.
ABC’s official page currently identifies Hulu as a streaming destination for the program.
Hulu’s own guide states that episodes stream the day after their ABC broadcasts. Hulu also provides a live ABC option through Hulu + Live TV for subscribers in supported markets.
Disney+ also carries the show in the United States. Its listing currently identifies the series as having one season.
For anyone who has not watched the competition yet, starting with the premiere is the best way to follow the contestants’ progression.
Is the Finale Available to Stream?
The finale was broadcast on August 31 and is part of the show’s streaming rollout.
ABC’s official program page provides access to the series through Hulu, while Disney+ also lists the show.
Viewers should note that streaming libraries can display episodes differently depending on the platform and account.
Hulu’s current series page lists the program, while ABC’s website provides the official episode information.
What Does Adele Zaikman’s Win Mean for DWTS Season 35?
Zaikman’s victory gives her a direct path into the professional cast of Dancing with the Stars Season 35.
The entire purpose of The Next Pro was to identify a dancer capable of taking on that role. ABC confirmed that the winner would receive the coveted professional position.
Now that Zaikman has won, viewers will be able to see her transition from the spinoff into the main series.
Season 35 is scheduled to return to ABC and Disney+ in September. The season will begin with a two-night premiere on September 15 and September 16 at 8 p.m. ET.
That makes Zaikman’s victory especially relevant for fans who followed the entire first season of The Next Pro.
When Does Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Begin?
Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars is scheduled to premiere September 15, 2026.
A second premiere-night episode is scheduled for September 16. The upcoming season will air on ABC and stream on Disney+.
Several contestants and professional dancers have already been announced, while the complete cast information is being revealed ahead of the premiere.
The upcoming season also includes the return of professional dancer Sharna Burgess after several years away from the competitive lineup.
For The Next Pro viewers, the most important addition is Zaikman.
She has now earned the chance to compete on the main show after winning the inaugural spinoff.
Where to Watch Dancing With the Stars Next Pro Right Now
For U.S. audiences searching for where to watch dancing with the stars next pro, the first season can be found through the show’s official streaming destinations.
ABC: The network aired the original season and provides the official show and episode information.
Hulu: The series is available for on-demand streaming, with episodes released following their ABC broadcasts.
Disney+: The streaming service also carries the series and lists the first season.
Hulu + Live TV: Subscribers can watch ABC live in supported markets.
Third-party live-TV services may also carry ABC depending on the viewer’s market and subscription package.
Because Season 1 has already concluded, viewers who are starting the show now can watch the competition without having to follow the original Monday-night schedule.
What Should New Viewers Know Before Watching?
The most important detail is that The Next Pro is not another celebrity dance competition.
The contestants are trained dancers competing for a professional position.
That changes the purpose of the challenges. Instead of teaching celebrities how to perform ballroom routines, the show examines whether professional-level dancers have the complete skill set needed to work on Dancing with the Stars.
Contestants had to show that they could perform, choreograph, work in groups, develop chemistry with partners and teach dance.
The competition therefore acts as a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to become a professional dancer on one of television’s biggest dance franchises.
The Bottom Line on Where to Watch Dancing With the Stars Next Pro
The first season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro is now complete, and U.S. viewers can catch up through Hulu and Disney+, while ABC remains the show’s original broadcast network. The eight-episode season began July 13 and ended August 31 with Adele Zaikman winning the competition.
Zaikman’s victory is also the key link between the spinoff and the upcoming Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. She earned the professional position that the 12 contestants had been competing for since the series premiere.
With Season 35 arriving September 15, viewers who want to understand Zaikman’s journey can now watch the first season of The Next Pro before she steps onto the main ballroom floor.
Have you watched Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro yet, and are you looking forward to seeing Adele Zaikman in Season 35? Share your thoughts in the comments.