The Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour performance tonight, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, is scheduled to finish at approximately 9:50 PM. For those attending the evening show at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, the performance begins at 7:30 PM and typically runs for about 2 hours and 20 minutes, including a 20-minute interval. If you are inquiring about a television broadcast, it is important to note that Strictly Come Dancing is currently in its live arena tour phase, and there is no live competition airing on BBC One tonight.
Live Tour Performance Schedule 2026
The Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2026 is currently waltzing across the United Kingdom, bringing the glitz of the ballroom to major arenas. Tonight’s double-show day in Newcastle features a matinee that concluded at 4:50 PM and an evening performance that begins shortly. The tour is meticulously timed to ensure fans can catch public transport or navigate city-center traffic after the final glitter cannon fires.
For the evening performance tonight, doors opened at 6:00 PM to allow for security checks and merchandise browsing. The show starts promptly at 7:30 PM, with the first half lasting roughly 60 minutes. Following a 20-minute interval, the second half concludes with the crowning of the night’s “Live Tour Champions” by approximately 9:50 PM.
Detailed Evening Show Timings
While approximate, the following breakdown is the standard operating schedule for the 2026 arena tour evening slots. These timings are designed to accommodate the live voting process, where the audience—not just the judges—decides the winner of the evening via their mobile devices.
First Act Highlights
The first hour of the show features the opening professional group numbers and the first round of individual celebrity dances. Each pair performs a routine from the previous TV series, followed by critiques and scores from the legendary judges, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood.
The Interval and Voting
The 20-minute interval occurs roughly an hour into the show. This is the primary time for the audience to cast their votes. Unlike the TV show where the public has days to vote, the Live Tour winner is determined in real-time, making the interval a hive of activity as fans select their favorite couple.
Second Act and Results
The second half includes the final celebrity performances, a high-octane professional showcase, and the highly anticipated results ceremony. Host Janette Manrara typically announces the winners around 9:40 PM, leading into the grand finale group dance that brings the evening to a close by 9:50 PM.
Television Broadcast Patterns (Season 23)
Although Strictly is not on TV tonight, fans often search for finish times during the autumn broadcast season. On BBC One, Strictly Come Dancing typically follows a predictable schedule based on the number of couples remaining in the competition. Early in the season, episodes are longer to accommodate all contestants, whereas the finale is a shorter, high-intensity broadcast.
Saturday night “Main Shows” usually start between 6:15 PM and 7:00 PM and finish between 8:20 PM and 9:15 PM. The Sunday night “Results Show,” which is pre-recorded but aired 24 hours later, consistently runs for 45 to 60 minutes, usually concluding by 8:00 PM. Special themed weeks, such as Blackpool or Musicals Week, often see an extension of 10 to 15 minutes to the total runtime.
Practical Information and Planning
If you are attending a live show or planning your TV night later this year, use these details to streamline your experience.
- Upcoming Tour Dates: Leeds (Jan 29-30), Manchester (Jan 31-Feb 1), Sheffield (Feb 3-4).
- Ticket Prices: Range from £35 to £100+ for premium hospitality packages.
- Transport Tips: For Newcastle tonight, Utilita Arena is a 10-minute walk from Central Station; expect heavy traffic on Arena Way immediately after 9:50 PM.
- What to Expect: A live band, pyrotechnics, and the ability to vote via a dedicated mobile link provided at the venue.
- Visitor Tip: Photography is usually permitted for personal use, but flash photography and professional video recording are strictly prohibited.
Seasonal Viewing and Special Events
Looking ahead, the Strictly schedule remains fixed for the 2026 season. The launch show is traditionally filmed in early September, with live shows commencing in late September. If you are planning around specific dates like the Blackpool Tower Ballroom special or the Christmas Special, expect finish times to push slightly later than the standard 9:00 PM slot due to the increased scale of the productions.
Professional Dancers and Judges
In addition to the competing couples, the tour features a world-class troupe of professional dancers who perform spectacular group numbers during the opening and the finale. These include Neil Jones, Nancy Xu, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Jake Leigh, and Julian Caillon. Their presence adds the “supersized” feel required for major arena venues like tonight’s Utilita Arena.
The judging panel—Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood—provides the structure for the evening. While the audience’s text votes determine the nightly winner, the judges’ scores and critiques provide the necessary comedic and technical context that fans love. Host Janette Manrara ties the entire production together, moving the show swiftly toward its 9:50 PM finish.
Why Finish Times Change
Finish times are primarily dictated by the number of contestants. In Week 1 of Series 23, the BBC had to fit 15 dances, judges’ comments, and the terms and conditions into a single block, leading to a late finish. By the time the show reached the Quarter-Finals (Musicals Week), the reduced number of couples allowed for a more concise broadcast that finished significantly earlier in the evening.
FAQs
What dances are being performed on the 2026 tour?
The dances vary by couple but include a mix of the Charleston, Samba, Viennese Waltz, and Quickstep. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is notably performing his fan-favorite Salsa.
Is George Clarke the presenter?
No, this George Clarke is the popular YouTuber and social media personality, not the architect known for Amazing Spaces. He finished as a runner-up in the 2025 TV series.
Can I see the show in London?
Yes, the 2026 Live Tour concludes at The O2 Arena in London from February 13 to February 15.
Is Layton Williams competing for the trophy?
Yes, although he is a “Special Guest” from the 2023 series, his scores and audience votes count toward the nightly Live Tour Glitterball trophy just like the current series stars.
Who won the 2025 TV series?
The 2025 Glitterball Trophy was won by former footballer and pundit Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu.
Why isn’t Karen Carney on the tour?
Winners do not always join the tour due to other professional commitments. In 2026, Karen is continuing her sports broadcasting work while the runners-up headline the live shows.
Is there a BSL interpreter at the live show?
Yes, every performance on the 2026 Live Tour features a British Sign Language interpreter, who is projected onto large screens for accessibility.
Can I buy a program at the arena?
Yes, souvenir programs and official tour merchandise are available for purchase at the venues from the time doors open at 6:00 PM.
Does the show finish early on Sundays?
Yes, Sunday tour performances usually have earlier start times (1:30 PM and 6:30 PM), with the evening show finishing around 8:50 PM.
What happens if a dancer gets injured on tour?
The tour travels with a team of “swing” professional dancers (like Jake Leigh and Michelle Tsiakkas) who can step in to perform in group numbers if needed.
What time does the Strictly Live Tour finish tonight?
Tonight’s show at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle is scheduled to finish at approximately 9:50 PM. The performance starts at 7:30 PM.
How long is the Strictly Live Tour show?
The show lasts approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, which includes a 20-minute interval between the two acts.
Is Strictly on BBC One tonight?
No, Strictly Come Dancing is currently off-air for the television season. The 2026 series is expected to return to BBC One in September.
Who are the judges for the 2026 tour?
The judging panel for the current tour features Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood.
Can the audience vote at the live tour?
Yes, the audience can vote for their favorite couple using their mobile phones during the performance to determine the nightly winner.
Who is hosting the Strictly 2026 tour?
Janette Manrara is the official host for the 2026 Live Tour, guiding the audience through the dances and judging critiques.
What time do doors open for the evening show?
For standard 7:30 PM evening shows, doors typically open at 6:00 PM to allow for security checks and entry.
Is there a matinee performance for Strictly?
Yes, on certain days like today, there is a 2:30 PM matinee which finishes around 4:50 PM.
Are there any guest stars on the 2026 tour?
Yes, 2023 finalist Layton Williams is making a special guest return to the dance floor alongside his partner Nikita Kuzmin for the 2026 arena tour.
Do the celebrities dance twice at the live show?
No, in the live arena format, each celebrity pair typically performs one standout routine from the series rather than the multiple dances seen in the TV finale.
What time is the Sunday results show on TV?
When the series is airing, the Sunday results show usually begins between 7:00 PM and 7:20 PM and finishes around 8:00 PM.
How do I find out the exact start time for a specific arena?
Always check the official venue website (e.g., AO Arena Manchester or The O2 London) for specific “Event Timings” as they can vary slightly by location.
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