The glittering schedule for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2026 has been officially unveiled, promising a spectacular arena show. However, the judging panel will have a notable change, with Motsi Mabuse appearing to sit out the upcoming nationwide run.
Tour Schedule and Key Absences
The 30-show extravaganza will commence at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on 23 January 2026. It will then travel to Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Nottingham, before concluding its run at London's O2 Arena on 15 February.
While Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood are all confirmed to reprise their judging roles, with Janette Manrara returning as host, Motsi Mabuse's absence is a significant shift from the television series lineup. The full roster of competing celebrities and professional dancers is due to be announced imminently.
Celebrity Line-Up: Surprises and Returns
The tour will feature a mix of fan favourites from the most recent series, though several high-profile names will be missing. Current finalists Karen Carney and Amber Davies will not participate, nor will semi-finalist Balvinder Sopal or week ten contestant Alex Kingston.
In positive news for fans, several popular couples are confirmed. Lewis Cope and Katya Jones, whose quarter-final exit sparked controversy, are signed up, alongside finalists George Clarke and Alexis Warr. They will be joined by football legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and his partner Lauren Oakley, and week five departees.
Notably, Amber Davies' professional partner Nikita Kuzmin will perform, but not with Amber. Instead, he will reunite with his 2023 celebrity partner, Layton Williams, who expressed his honour at being asked back. Drag performer La Voix, who previously withdrew due to injury, is now recovered and will dance with Aljaž Škorjanec.
Audiences should note scheduling conflicts: Lewis Cope will miss eight performances and George Clarke will be absent for 11 shows due to prior commitments.
What the Stars Say About the 2026 Tour
Head Judge Shirley Ballas shared her enthusiasm, stating the live tour is the perfect way to start a new year and she is eager to bring the magic to fans across the country. Anton Du Beke, embarking on his fourth tour, said the experience keeps improving and he is excited to see what Craig Revel Horwood has planned.
Director and judge Craig Revel Horwood promised the tour would deliver all the glitz and glamour of the TV show directly to arena audiences. He described it as a "fab-u-lous night out for the whole family", featuring two hours of dance, live music from the BBC Strictly band, and the unique element of nightly audience voting to decide the winner.
For ticket information and the latest updates on the participating cast, fans are directed to visit the official website: StrictlyComeDancingLive.com.
