The Dancing with the Stars ballroom is getting a Super Bowl-inspired makeover, and Week 5 promises a fresh mix of chart-topping music, celebrity performances and competitive pressure. With iconic tracks linked to some of the biggest names in entertainment, the October 13 episode brings a new challenge for the remaining celebrity-pro couples as they fight to stay in the competition.
But beyond the music and spectacle, there is plenty for fans to keep track of, from a special guest judge to the complete dance lineup and the voting rules that could help determine who advances. Here is everything to know about DWTS Super Bowl Night, including the broadcast schedule, all 11 announced routines and how to support your favourite couple.
When Is DWTS Super Bowl Night? Date, Time and Where to Watch
Dancing with the Stars Super Bowl Night airs on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with a two-hour episode scheduled for ABC and Disney+.
| Broadcast detail | Information |
| Date | Tuesday, October 13, 2026 |
| Eastern and Pacific time | 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Central time | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Live broadcasters | ABC and Disney+ |
| Streaming availability | Hulu the following day |
| Competition week | Week 5 of Season 35 |
The episode will be simulcast live in local time zones on ABC and Disney+. Viewers who cannot watch the broadcast live can catch the episode on Hulu the following day.
The theme is part of ABC and ESPN’s lead-up to Super Bowl LXI, scheduled for February 14, 2027. Rather than focusing on football itself, the ballroom competition draws inspiration from memorable Super Bowl musical performances, giving celebrities a chance to interpret recognisable hits through different dance styles.
That combination of sports and entertainment also brings a familiar voice from the football world into the ballroom.
For Fans Following DWTS Beyond the Episode
The show’s themed episodes are only one part of its wider fan experience. Find out what is planned for the franchise’s 2026 convention in our Dancing with the Stars Con 2026 guide.
Joe Buck Joins the DWTS Super Bowl Night Judges
Joe Buck, the Monday Night Football broadcaster, will appear as a guest judge for the special episode. He is scheduled to call his seventh Super Bowl for ABC and ESPN in February, making his appearance a natural connection between the ballroom theme and the sport that inspired it.
The episode will also feature NFL legends and former Dancing with the Stars contestants Donald Driver, Emmitt Smith, DeMarcus Ware and Danny Amendola.
Their appearances add another link between professional football and the dance competition. With the Super Bowl theme influencing the music and Joe Buck joining the judging panel, the episode brings together two familiar entertainment settings: the football broadcast and the live celebrity competition.
The musical side of the show is equally ambitious, beginning with an opening number that brings several major artists into the spotlight.
DWTS Super Bowl Night Opening Number and Special Performances
The opening number is scheduled to feature three tracks associated with major contemporary music stars:
- “NUEVAYoL” by Bad Bunny
- “Rude Boy” by Rihanna
- “HUMBLE.” by Kendrick Lamar
Additional professional-dancer and troupe performances are also scheduled for the episode. These include “It’s Heavy Action (Monday Night Football Theme)” by APM, “In the Air Tonight” by Chris Stapleton and “Bootylicious” by Destiny’s Child.
These performances are separate from the competitive routines performed by the celebrity-pro couples. That distinction matters because the opening number and troupe appearances are part of the show’s wider themed production, while the 11 couples have their own announced songs and dance styles to prepare.
Full DWTS Super Bowl Night 2026 Song List and Celebrity Pairings
The main competition features 11 remaining celebrity-pro couples, with routines spanning salsa, samba, jazz, tango and paso doble. The announced lineup combines pop, hip-hop and Latin music, giving each pairing a different track to interpret.
Here is the complete announced song and dance list for October 13.
| Celebrity and professional partner | Song and artist | Dance style |
| Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa | “Jenny from the Block (Track Masters Remix)” by Jennifer Lopez featuring Jadakiss and Styles P | Jazz |
| Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik | “squabble up” by Kendrick Lamar | Salsa |
| Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas | “Only Girl (In the World)” by Rihanna | Tango |
| Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov | “Mi Gente” by J Balvin and Willy William | Samba |
| Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy | “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga | Paso doble |
| Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson | “Yeah!” by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris | Samba |
| Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach | “Hot in Herre” by Nelly | Salsa |
| Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess | “The Time (Dirty Bit)” by Black Eyed Peas | Jazz |
| Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold | “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean | Samba |
| Jackson Olson and Emma Slater | “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars | Salsa |
| Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson | “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny | Salsa |
With such a varied playlist, the celebrities will need to adapt their performances to the rhythm and character of their assigned tracks. The announced routines include several recognisable pop and hip-hop songs, alongside Latin hits that fit the episode’s energetic theme.
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy Take on Lady Gaga
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy are scheduled to perform a paso doble to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” The pairing brings one of the episode’s best-known pop tracks into a dance style included in the lineup for the themed competition.
The song choice is distinct from the salsa and samba routines elsewhere in the programme, adding variety to the announced performances.
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas Dance to Rihanna
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas will perform a tango to Rihanna’s “Only Girl (In the World).”
The pairing offers another change of style within the competition. Rihanna also features in the episode’s opening number through “Rude Boy,” although that performance is separate from Maura and Mark’s competitive routine.
Amber Glenn and Ezra Frech Bring Athletic Energy to the Ballroom
Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn and professional partner Pasha Pashkov are scheduled to perform a samba to “Mi Gente” by J Balvin and Willy William.
Paralympic athlete Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, meanwhile, will dance a salsa to Nelly’s “Hot in Herre.” Both pairings bring athletes from different sporting backgrounds into the celebrity dance competition, with each assigned a different routine.
Tatyana Ali Takes on Kendrick Lamar
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik are set to perform a salsa to Kendrick Lamar’s “squabble up.”
Kendrick Lamar also features in the opening number with “HUMBLE.” The two appearances are part of the same themed episode but belong to separate performances.
The complete lineup also includes jazz, tango and additional salsa and samba routines, giving all 11 couples their own announced combination of music and choreography.
Who Was Eliminated on DWTS Week 4?
Before the Super Bowl-inspired episode, the competition said goodbye to Summer House star Ciara Miller and professional dancer Brandon Armstrong.
The pair were eliminated during the October 6 episode, which celebrated Mariah Carey’s music. For their performance, Miller and Armstrong danced jazz to Carey’s “Emotions” and received 21 out of 30 points from the judges.
Their departure left 11 couples in the competition for Week 5.
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas finished the previous episode with the highest score, earning 25 out of 30 points for their waltz. Their performance also produced the season’s first nine from a judge.
The results underline an important part of the show’s format: judges’ scores are not the only factor in determining which couples remain. Audience votes are combined with the judges’ scores to help decide which contestants face elimination.
That makes the voting window an important part of each live episode for viewers hoping to support their favourite pairings.
How to Vote for DWTS Super Bowl Night 2026
Fans can vote for their preferred couples online or by text message during the designated live voting window. Both methods have eligibility requirements and specific limits, so viewers should check the official voting information before submitting their selections.
How to Vote Online
Viewers can visit the official DWTS voting website to support their favourite couples.
Online voting is available to eligible viewers aged 18 or older who are physically located in the United States, its territories or Canada. Fans must log in or create an account and complete the required email verification process before voting.
The online system allows viewers to distribute votes among multiple couples. Selections can also be changed while voting remains open, but fans must select “Save Votes” after making changes for the revised choices to count.
How to Vote for DWTS by Text
Eligible viewers in the United States and its territories can also vote by texting the keyword assigned to their preferred couple to 21523. The relevant keywords are listed when voting opens.
Each successfully submitted text counts as one vote, with a maximum of 10 text votes per couple. Text voting requires a participating US wireless carrier and is not available in Canada.
The stated limit is 10 votes per couple through each voting method. Eligible viewers can therefore cast up to 20 votes for one couple by combining online and text voting.
Unlike online selections, text-message votes cannot be changed after submission.
When Does DWTS Voting Open and Close?
Both voting methods open during the initial live simulcast in the Eastern and Central time zones, beginning at 8 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. CT.
Voting closes shortly after the final competitive dance. Because the voting window is limited, fans should consult the official DWTS voting website for confirmation that voting is open and to check the correct text keywords.
What to Expect From DWTS Super Bowl Night
The October 13 episode is a themed ballroom competition, not a live broadcast of the Super Bowl championship. Its connection to football comes through the music inspired by iconic Super Bowl performances, Joe Buck’s guest-judging appearance and the participation of NFL legends and former contestants.
With 11 couples preparing routines across five announced dance styles, the episode brings together performers from television, reality shows, comedy, sport and entertainment. The song list includes artists such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Jennifer Lopez and Bad Bunny, while the opening number and professional-dancer performances add more music to the programme.
The episode’s performances, judges’ scores and audience votes will determine the next elimination as Season 35 continues. Until the live broadcast concludes, however, the published songs and pairings remain the announced lineup, not confirmation that the performances have taken place or that final results are known.
The Ballroom Experience Continues on Tour
Fans who enjoy the show’s celebrity-pro performances can also follow its live productions beyond the television season. Explore the Dancing with the Stars Live 2027 tour dates and tickets for details about the touring show.
Conclusion
DWTS Super Bowl Night combines a major music theme with a two-hour celebrity dance competition, a guest appearance by Joe Buck and a full lineup of 11 announced routines. After Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong’s elimination during Mariah Carey Night, the remaining couples face another week in which judges’ scores and audience votes both matter.
Fans can watch on ABC and Disney+ on October 13 and use the official online or text-voting methods during the designated window. With the song list announced but the performances and results still to come, the next chapter of Season 35 is set to unfold in the ballroom.
Source and Research Disclaimer: This article has been prepared based on research of the sources listed below, including ABC’s official announcements, Dancing with the Stars episode information and voting guidance. It reflects the information available in those sources at the time of writing and does not imply independent verification beyond the material they provide.
Sources
- ABC Press: Super Bowl Night Announcement, Song List and Guest Judge
- ABC Press: Official Dancing with the Stars Episode Listings
- ABC Help Center: Dancing with the Stars Viewing and Voting Rules
- Official Dancing with the Stars Voting Website
- ABC Press: Mariah Carey Night Announcement
Featured Image Credit: ABC
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