What it is like to be in the audience for Dancing With The Stars
Want to join the Dancing with the Stars studio audience? Below you’ll find the official free-ticket source and my firsthand account of attending a taping.
Current audience ticket information
Checked October 12, 2026: On Camera Audiences provides official free fan tickets. Fans join a waitlist and winners are selected through a weekly lottery. Audience members must be at least 12; anyone under 18 must attend with an adult or legal guardian.
Fan tickets currently offer standing-room viewing from the upper balcony. Tickets are distributed in excess of capacity, so a ticket does not guarantee admission. Follow the arrival time, dress and phone instructions provided with your ticket.
Click here to jump down to see if you can get tickets to be in the Dancing with the Stars audience
Fans of all ages may like to know what it is like to be in the audience of the live taping. I was in the audience to watch the show and I am sharing what you might want to know about how long the taping is, what you can bring with you, and what you should leave at home. Don’t miss the link to reserve free tickets for an unforgettable night at Dancing with the Stars!
Do you enjoy Dancing with the Stars on ABC? I have been watching over the years but I somehow missed that it has been on for more than 10 years. Wait, what? Yes you heard that right.10 years! Earlier this month I was super excited to attend and be in the Dancing with the Stars audience!I have been in the audience for a few live taping shows in the past and this was so above those I have attended before! I’ll share about the Dancing with the Stars audience dress code and what to wear to Dancing with the Stars. First, check out some fancy dresses and free Dancing with the Stars books on kindle. Don’t miss instructions on how to get free tickets to be in the audience below!
Historical contestant lists: 2019–2022
These contestant lists are an archive from the 2019–2022 seasons, not the current cast.
2022 Dancing with the Stars Contestants
Celebrities and Professional Dancers:
- Fitness model and actor Joseph Baena with partner Daniella Karagach
- Movie star Selma Blair with partner Sasha Farber
- Comedian, actor and singer Wayne Brady with partner Witney Carson
- Good Morning America contributor and WABC-TV New York’s weather anchor Sam Champion, with partner Cheryl Burke
- TikTok star Charli D’Amelio with partner Mark Ballas
- Heidi D’Amelio (“The D’Amelio Show”) with partner Artem Chigvintsev
- Country star Jessie James Decker with partner Alan Bersten
- TV star Trevor Donovan with partner Emma Slater
- Daniel Durant (Oscar®-winning “CODA”) with partner Britt Stewart
- Teresa Giudice (“The Real Housewives of New Jersey”) with partner Pasha Pashkov
- Vinny Guadagnino (“Jersey Shore”) with partner Koko Iwasaki
- “Charlie’s Angels” star Cheryl Ladd with partner Louis Van Amstel
- Jason Lewis (“Sex and the City”) with partner Peta Murgatroyd
- Drag queen superstar Shangela with partner Gleb Savchenko
2021 Dancing with the Stars Contestants
- Jimmie Allen
- Melanie C
- Christine Chiu
- Brian Austin Green
- Melora Hardin
- Olivia Jade
- Matt James
- Amanda Kloots
- Martin Kove
- Suni Lee
- Mike Mizanin
- Jojo Siwa
- Kenya Moore
- Cody Rigsby
- Iman Shumpert
- Brandon Armstrong
- Lindsay Arnold
- Alan Bersten
Can you Get Tickets to Dancing with the Stars Live 2022?
Check out the link I have shared below for free tickets to this amazing competition. The show is incredible and you will not want to miss it. Stay tuned for updates.
2020 Dancing with the Stars Contestants List!
- Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev
- AJ McLean and Cheryl Burke
- Carole Baskin and Pasha Pashkov
- Monica Aldama and Val Chmerkovskiy
- Anne Heche and Keo Motsepe
- Jesse Metcalfe and Sharna Burgess
- Vernon Davis and Peta Murgatroyd
- Jeannie Mai and Brandon Armstrong
- Nelly and Danielle Karagach
- Skai Jackson and Alan Bersten
- Chrishell Stause and Gleb Savchenko
- Justina Machado and Sasha Farber
- Nev Schulman and Jenna Johnson
- Charles Oakley and Emma Slater
- Johnny Weir and Britt Stewart
2019 Dancing With the Stars Contestants List
- Lauren Alaina – country music star
- Christie Brinkley – supermodel
- Ally Brooke – pop star
- Hannah Brown – The Bachelorette
- Karamo Brown – TV host
- Kate Flannery – TV star
- Ray Lewis – NFL Hall of Famer
- Kel Mitchell – comedian/actor
- Lamar Odom – two-time NBA champion
- Sean Spicer –
former White House press secretaryBigly Awful Guy - James Van Der Beek – TV icon
- Mary Wilson – The Supremes
It is going to be another great season for sure. I’m all for inclusion, but anybody who voted for Sean Spicer can’t sit at my lunch table. THOSE ARE THE RULES.
My original Dancing with the Stars audience visit
The account and photos below describe my 2014 visit as part of a hosted blogger group. Seating, phone access, schedules and admission policies can differ from today’s fan-ticket arrangements.
If you are a fan of Dancing with the Stars attending a live taping is something I truly encourage! The set is beautiful but not as big as I would have thought. We were on the first balcony (there is a floor section, balcony, and second balcony). It is not a huge theater and I seriously don’t think there is a bad seat in the house.
A few things to consider when you will be in the Dancing with the Star audience……
- Dancing with the Stars filming can go on for hours. Make sure to eat before.
- There is no food or drinks allowed in the theater.
- Dancing with the Stars is taped before a live studio audience every night.
- Phones are NOT allowed in the theater so leave it at home or in your car.
- Dancing with the Stars is filmed in Los Angeles, California.
- Audience members are encouraged to stand on their feet to watch and cheer, so I suggest comfortable shoes.
- The studio audience really dresses to impress! Make sure to dress up!
- The Dancing with the Stars studio is quite cold with air-conditioning so make sure to bring a sweater, jacket, or wrap.
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Check the current ticket source
Use the current ticket guidance above and the official provider’s listing for availability. The experience below reflects my original visit.
What I wore to Dancing with the Stars
These are observations from my visit. Check your own ticket instructions for current dress requirements.
Dress Fancy – I’m serious. Everyone is dressed up. I think out of the several hundred people in the audience I saw three pairs of jeans. As it should be I say, this is a very special event – the dancers have worked hard and have spent many hours in hair and make up – the audience should dress up too! Also, because it is such a small audience there is a very good chance you will end up on camera, and if you are gonna be on live television shouldn’t you look fancy? Of course you should. So many awesome dresses on Amazon!
*some people don’t like the term ‘Mommy Blogger’ – I don’t mind it, I am both of those things and I got to sit in this seat*
- You are not allowed to bring your cell phones or cameras when you attend a Dancing with the Stars filming.
- Wait? You got to Kate! I know, but that was a special circumstance. I was allowed to because our group was actually contracted to live tweet during commercials. I did not sneak my phone in and I don’t think you should either. It would be really hard guys, just don’t try. Take a pic before you go in and then let the good folks at the front store your phone or leave it in the car.
- Wear comfortable shoes
- (but of course they still need to be fancy). You stand a majority of the taping. You are clapping and smiling and dancing a little bit no matter where you are in the Dancing with the Stars audience. They encourage folks to really get into it and you really want to. It is a very lively show. I am not going to lie, I kicked my high heels off about half way through the taping. I wish I had worn flats or wedges or at least brought some of those little emergency fold up shoes.
- Bring a light sweater or jacket.
- It is a bit cold in the theater. I was in a sleeveless dress and I wish I had a little wrap or sweater of some kind. Don’t fret though if you forget yours, it just encouraged me to dance a bit more.
- Make sure to have something to drink and eat before.
- The taping is a couple hours long. Before we went in we enjoyed a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception.I wasn’t hungry at all, but I would have sold a kidney for a bottle of water about half way through. I just wish I had grabbed a bottle of water on the bus ride over, I wouldn’t have been allowed to bring it in, but I would have liked to have a sip of water right before going in.
Here is a video my new friend Cori just shared over on her you tube channel from our night in the Dancing with the Stars audience (including a peek at our inpromptu interview with one of the judges!) …….
I wanted to also share a couple fun photos of the Dancing with the Stars after party that was held at Mixology 101…….
Here we are all enjoying dinner and watching the West Coast airing of Dancing with the Stars.
And then famous people started showing up……
I truly enjoyed everyone’s performance – but I am team Sadie all the way!So poised and talented. She is a great dancer and a great role model for little girls. She was personable and friendly! In all honesty I don’t really watch Duck Dynasty (we don’t watch a ton of TV especially cable – even the family friendly stuff…. should I admit that?), but I thought it was really cool (and my guess is people want to know) that the 17 year old was escorted by her parents…… who were also kind enough to pose for pictures…
and just a couple other peeps……..
I’m so sad Lea is is off the show! I know that is how it works, but I sure was bummed to see her go. She was so awesome and she was so kind to all of us.
For current show information, visit the official Dancing with the Stars page. For audience admission, use the official ticket provider linked above.
How old do you have to be to be in the audience?
Hello! I believe there were children in the audience when we went a few years ago, but not sure if that has changed. I would check with the link provided to know the current age allowed. It was a very family friendly taping when I attended. Have fun!!
At one pointI was wait listed for the October 28 show. Since I have not received tickets online yet, I just re-registered. The comment at the top reads: “You are already signed up for this taping”. Again, I still have not received tickets online. Is that the way I should receive tickets? Can you verify that I should be receiving (2) tickets and how I will receive them? Thanks so much! Virginia C
Hi Virgina – I do not work for the show (I WISH!) – I am just a blogger who was lucky enough to attend a taping and share about it on my site. I would contact the show directly – there is a link on this article. I do hope you can get the answer and enjoy the show!
I love the show dancing with the Stars.
I thought Odom was terrible but according to the purpose of the show,
people are suppose to have no experience. We seem to vote for couples that look good but have some dancing experience. Doesn’t that go against the purpose of the show. Sean Spicer is soooooo terrrible but he is still there. WHY?
no idea!
Hello, I believe the audience comes at 3pm, what time do they stay until? I am confused if it is Live and the show airs at 8pm, est?
Hi Mel – I would double check with DWTS directly – there may be updated information – thanks!
My daughter (21st birthday trip) and I have tickets for next Monday night! Going from GA, Lauren Alaina’s home town! I just learned it’s the Halloween show, Oct 28th, now im perplexed for sure on what to wear.
How fun! I always suggest dressing up and make sure to bring a coat or wrap of some sort. It is a wonderful show – have a GREAT trip!
How early would you suggest getting in line? Our ticket says they start letting us in at 2:30pm
I am so sorry – I am just seeing this! There are so many factors to consider (you may have been asking for yesterday’s show and I am sorry if that is the case!) – we heard people were lined up several hours early to secure getting in. I would say at least 2 hours early, but calling would be best. I went several years ago.
I’m going Monday for the show!!
The BEST time!! I hope you will come back and share about your experience. I am sure it has changed so much since I went!