Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, a spin-off of the hit celebrity dance competition, premiered on ABC on July 13, 2026, featuring twelve up-and-coming professional dancers battling to win a coveted spot on the flagship series. The contestants—first revealed through advertisements in April 2026—live and train together while being tested in unique weekly challenges, judged by notable guest mentors such as six-time mirrorball champion Derek Hough, Brandon Armstrong, Britt Stewart, and Jenna Johnson. Each week presents a different skill, from basic technique and emotional storytelling to teamwork and chemistry, often pairing contestants in random same-sex or opposite-sex couples or forcing them to learn a routine in just three hours to simulate the pressure of a live show. The competition has already faced drama, as contestant Natalie was forced to withdraw in Week 3 after suffering a black eye and concussion during rehearsal. Ultimately, the winner will be awarded a professional dancer position on the main show, making this reality competition a high-stakes quest for a career-defining breakthrough.