‘Dancing With the Stars’ Makes History With Its First-Ever Super Bowl Night
Dancing With the Stars is taking the ballroom to the biggest stage in American football.
For the first time in the show’s 35-season history, the ABC competition will dedicate an entire theme night to the Super Bowl. Super Bowl Night is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, and will feature the remaining couples dancing to songs associated with memorable Super Bowl halftime performances.
The announcement came on Good Morning America on Wednesday, September 30, shortly after Season 35’s Yacht Rock Night. The news finally filled in the one major gap in the show’s previously announced theme schedule.
ABC says the special episode will celebrate the music, spectacle and unforgettable moments of the Super Bowl, with dancers performing to songs made famous by some of the game’s most iconic halftime shows.
The timing also connects the series to the upcoming Super Bowl LXI, which will air on ABC and ESPN on February 14, 2027. The game is scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Season 35 Has Already Delivered Several Theme Nights
Season 35 began with a two-night premiere on September 15 and 16. Rather than using a traditional theme for the opening competition, the celebrities performed to No. 1 songs from the years they were born.
The following week brought Viral Hits Night, featuring songs and moments that became popular through social media.
Then came Yacht Rock Night on September 29, with the remaining couples dancing to songs from artists including Toto, Luther Vandross, The Doobie Brothers and Hall & Oates. ABC’s official episode listing identifies September 29 as the air date for the Yacht Rock episode.
That episode ended with a surprise elimination. Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart were sent home after performing a foxtrot to The Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes.” The pair received 18 out of 30 points from the judges.
The elimination also set the stage for the Super Bowl announcement the following morning.
The Missing Week Had Fans Guessing
When much of Season 35’s theme schedule was revealed on September 18 during the Official Dancing With The Stars Podcast, there was one noticeable omission: Week 5, October 13.
The previously announced schedule included:
- Week 2, September 22: Viral Hits
- Week 3, September 29: Yacht Rock
- Week 4, October 6: Mariah Carey
- Week 6, October 20: Dedication Night
- Week 7, October 27: Horror Movie Night
- Week 8, November 3: Disney Night
- Week 9, November 10: Grammy Night
- Week 10, November 17: Semi-Finals
- Week 11, November 24: Finale
The empty spot quickly became a subject of fan speculation. Some viewers wondered whether October 13 might bring another Taylor Swift Night, particularly because the date fell on the 13th and a Taylor Swift tour dancer is part of the show’s professional cast.
Instead, the show went in a completely different direction.
Super Bowl Night Will Bring Football to the Ballroom
With the mystery now solved, the remaining couples will prepare routines built around music from some of the most memorable Super Bowl halftime performances.
The theme is also particularly timely for ABC. The network is preparing to broadcast Super Bowl LXI in February 2027, while ESPN will also carry the game.
The connection between Dancing With the Stars and the NFL is hardly new, either. Over the years, the competition has featured several Super Bowl-winning players among its celebrity contestants, including Emmitt Smith, Von Miller, Hines Ward, Donald Driver, Jerry Rice and Jacoby Jones.
Now, rather than having former NFL stars take center stage, the ballroom’s current celebrities and professional dancers will draw inspiration from the music that has defined some of the Super Bowl’s biggest halftime spectacles.
Among the performances that have become synonymous with the event are Prince’s legendary 2007 halftime show and Beyoncé’s 2013 performance, both of which helped establish the halftime show as a major pop-culture event.
What Comes Next for Season 35
Before Super Bowl Night arrives, the competition will move into Mariah Carey Night on October 6.
After the October 13 Super Bowl-themed episode, the schedule continues with Dedication Night on October 20, Horror Movie Night on October 27, Disney Night on November 3 and Grammy Night on November 10. The semifinals are set for November 17, followed by the Season 35 finale on November 24.
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available the following day on Hulu.
For a show built around transforming familiar music into elaborate ballroom performances, a night centered on the Super Bowl gives the remaining celebrities an entirely new musical playground. And for the first time in the program’s history, the ballroom is officially getting its own Super Bowl spotlight.
There’s No Way He Can Beat That! — Riley Green Wanted The Singer Badly, But Queen Latifah’s Unexpected Move Left Him Hiding Behind His Cowboy Hat As The Battle Took A Wild Turn ! Riley Green Knew The Situation Had Suddenly Changed. Alt Bloom delivered a standout performance of Maren Morris’ “The Bones”, earning turns from both Riley and Queen Latifah.
Riley Green Had FOUR Coaches Fighting For The Same Singer… But His Unexpected Secret Weapon Changed The Entire Battle
© 2026 Breaking Times • Built with GeneratePress