SUMMARY
- Dancing With the Stars Con 2026 marks the franchise’s first standalone global fan convention
- The event will feature judges, past winners and professional partners in live programming
- Organizers see the convention as a long term expansion of the DWTS brand and fan economy
Dancing With the Stars Con 2026, the first official fan convention tied to ABC’s long running reality competition series, will be held July 31 through Aug. 2 at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California, bringing judges, past champions and professional dancers together for a three day live event aimed at deepening fan engagement beyond television.
The launch of Dancing With the Stars Con 2026 represents a strategic expansion of one of broadcast television’s most durable entertainment properties.
After twenty years on air, the franchise is moving into experiential events designed to translate weekly viewership into in-person participation, reflecting broader shifts in how entertainment brands cultivate loyalty and revenue.
Since its debut in two thousand five, Dancing With the Stars has aired more than thirty seasons and produced touring stage shows across North America.
While fan conventions are common in scripted television and gaming, unscripted competition series have rarely attempted large scale standalone conventions.
Organizers say the Palm Springs event is intended to unify alumni across eras, from early winners such as Kristi Yamaguchi to recent champions like Xochitl Gomez, while celebrating the show’s legacy.
The selection of Acrisure Arena, which seats more than eleven thousand, signals expectations of national and international attendance.
Palm Springs officials have increasingly positioned the Coachella Valley as a destination for mid sized entertainment conventions outside Los Angeles.
“This is about extending the lifecycle of a television brand,” said Julia Alexander, senior media analyst at Parrot Analytics.
“Live conventions allow reality franchises to monetize fandom in ways advertising alone no longer supports, especially as linear ratings fragment.”
Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, both longtime judges, are scheduled to appear, reinforcing the convention’s institutional legitimacy.
According to ABC owned Disney Television Group, Dancing With the Stars delivered its most-watched finale in ten years during its most recent season, providing momentum for expansion into live events.
Acrisure Arena general manager John Page said the venue’s scale and location were decisive.
“We are seeing growing demand for destination conventions that combine entertainment with travel,” Page said. “DWTS Con fits that model.”
Emma Slater, a seventeen-season professional dancer on the series, said the convention responds to fan demand for deeper access. “People want shared experiences, not just autographs,” Slater said.
Danielle Fishel, a season thirty four celebrity contestant, described the event as a retrospective. “This is about honoring every era of the show, not just the current season,” she said.
Palm Springs tourism director Scott White said the event is expected to generate measurable economic impact. “Multi-day conventions drive hotel stays and local spending in ways concerts do not,” White said.
Organizers said tickets go on sale Feb. 14, with an earlier presale for Verizon members. While no future editions have been announced.
Industry analysts note that success in Palm Springs could lead to rotating host cities or international versions of Dancing With the Stars Con 2026.
By launching Dancing With the Stars Con 2026, the franchise is testing whether a reality competition can sustain a convention model traditionally reserved for scripted entertainment.
The outcome may shape how television brands engage global audiences in an increasingly experiential media economy.
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