Dancing with the Stars Ireland 2027: Start Date, Hosts and How to Watch on RTÉ One
Dancing with the Stars comes back to RTÉ One in January 2027 for its tenth series, on a Sunday night if RTÉ sticks to its usual slot, with every live show also on RTÉ Player; it's RTÉ's own series rather than a British import, so there's no UK version to wait for, and RTÉ One is free-to-air on Saorview.
- Confirmed: Series 10 in January 2027, on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
- Hosts: Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy, who returns after maternity leave.
- Not confirmed yet: the start date, the time, the judges and the celebrities.
Is Dancing with the Stars definitely back in 2027?
Yes. RTÉ put it in its autumn and winter schedule announcement on 26 August, which says the show returns in January 2027 for a tenth season. That's the only official word so far, and it gives the month but not the day.
| Series | Launch date | Irish time | Channel | Free | New or repeat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 10 (2027) | January 2027, day not confirmed | Not confirmed | RTÉ One, RTÉ Player | Yes (Saorview) | New |
| Series 9 (2026) | Sunday 4 January 2026 | 6.30pm | RTÉ One, RTÉ Player | Yes (Saorview) | New |
| Series 9 final | Sunday 15 March 2026 | Sunday night | RTÉ One, RTÉ Player | Yes (Saorview) | New |
The Series 9 times come from RTÉ's own press releases for the pairings and the launch promo. We haven't put a guessed date in the Series 10 row, and the byline shows when this page last changed.
When does Dancing with the Stars 2027 start?
RTÉ hasn't said. The last run started on the first Sunday of the year, Sunday 4 January 2026 at 6.30pm, and RTÉ's January 2025 viewing figures show Series 8 had also opened on the first weekend of that year, with an average of 580,000 watching on RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1.
If the 2027 series followed the same pattern, the first Sunday would be 3 January. That is our reading of past launches, not an RTÉ announcement. Treat it as a date to keep free rather than a booking.
Who is hosting Dancing with the Stars in 2027?
Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy. RTÉ's August announcement names both and says Doireann is back on screen after maternity leave. She missed the 2026 series, when Laura Fox presented alongside Jennifer.
The 2026 series was made for RTÉ by ShinAwiL, and Hyundai renewed its sponsorship ahead of that run. RTÉ hasn't said anything different for 2027.
Who are the judges and pro dancers?
Not confirmed for 2027. The 2026 panel had four judges: Oti Mabuse, who joined as head judge in October 2025, with Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne. RTÉ hasn't said whether all four return.
The pros changed last year too. Arianna Favaro, Leonardo Lini and James Cutler joined for 2026, and Salome Chachua, Denys Samson and Simone Arena left. RTÉ announced those changes on 24 November, which gives a rough idea of when 2027 news might appear.
When will the 2027 celebrities be announced?
Not announced yet. For the 2026 series, RTÉ revealed the twelve celebrities one or two at a time between Monday 8 December and Tuesday 16 December 2025, starting with Niamh Kavanagh and finishing with Brian Kennedy. The pairings came on 17 December and the promo on Christmas Eve.
The year before followed a similar rhythm, with the final Series 8 celebrity, Joanna Donnelly, named on 16 December 2024. So December is the month to watch, though RTÉ hasn't promised the same timing for 2027.
Who won the last series?
Katelyn Cummins, the Rose of Tralee, won Series 9 with her pro partner Leonardo Lini on Sunday 15 March 2026. The judges scored the final, but the public vote decided it, and Katelyn and Leonardo received the most votes.
The other finalists were Eric Roberts, Tolü Makay and Paudie Moloney. Paudie came to the show from The Traitors Ireland, whose latest winners are on our Traitors Ireland winners page. The year before, Rhys McClenaghan and Laura Nolan took the Glitterball.
Where can I watch Dancing with the Stars in Ireland?
On RTÉ One, which is free on Saorview as well as on Sky, Virgin Media and the other pay platforms, and live or on catch-up on RTÉ Player. You don't need a subscription for either. If you're wondering about British catch-up apps instead, we've covered that in can you watch ITVX in Ireland?
If you're in Northern Ireland, check the show's page on RTÉ Player before launch night, as we haven't confirmed what streams there.
What else is on RTÉ before January?
Plenty to fill the gap. The new six-part drama Tall Tales & Murder started on RTÉ One on Sunday 27 September, and the Late Late Toy Show is the big December night. Our RTÉ section keeps the rest together.
For the weeknight regulars, our soap night list covers RTÉ and Virgin Media, and The Chase times in Ireland covers the Virgin Media slots. Saturday nights have The Graham Norton Show on Virgin Media One.
Questions readers ask
Is Dancing with the Stars on RTÉ in 2026? The 2026 series has finished; it ran from Sunday 4 January to the final on Sunday 15 March. The next one is in January 2027.
Is it the same show as Strictly? It's a separate Irish series made for RTÉ, though it's based on the same format. Strictly Come Dancing is a BBC programme, and British soap schedules are on our sister site, UK Soap On Air.
How many celebrities take part? Twelve in the 2026 series, each paired with a professional dancer. RTÉ hasn't given the 2027 number.
Sources
- RTÉ, Coming Soon to RTÉ (26 August 2026: tenth season in January 2027, hosts)
- RTÉ, 2026 dance pairings and the 2026 promo (Sunday 4 January, 6.30pm, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player)
- RTÉ, Katelyn Cummins wins Dancing with the Stars 2026 (final, judges, hosts, producer)
- RTÉ, Hyundai renews its sponsorship (4 December 2025)
- RTÉ, new head judge and presenter and three new pro dancers
- RTÉ viewing figures, first weekend of 2025 and the 2025 champions