Strictly Come Dancing Live announces first two couples to join UK Arena Tour 2026 with North West dates

They will don their dancing shoes in January and take to the road to dazzle arena audiences up and down the country. Further casting announcements will be made soon.

They will be joined on the tour by the Strictly Judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood. It Takes Two’s Janette Manrara returns to host the tour once again. The 2026 Live Tour opens at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 23 January for the first of 30 scintillating shows around the UK. Tickets are on sale now from StrictlyComeDancingLive.com.

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey said: “I’m switching the Gladiators arena for the Strictly Live Tour arenas and can’t wait to get back on the dance floor! It’s amazing to be reunited with Karen again and we can’t wait to show you what’s in store. Expect more fun, more laughs, and even more energy!”

La Voix, who had to withdraw from the latest Strictly series due to injury, said: “I loved being part of Strictly and was devastated when my time on the show was cut short because of injury. But now I’m absolutely thrilled to have the chance to get back on an even bigger dancefloor with the sparkling 2026 Strictly Live Tour. I can't wait to sashay my way around the country with my wonderful partner, Aljaž by my side.“

Following the opening night at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 23 January, the glitz, the glamour and the sequins - together with the all-important celebrity contestants and their professional dancer partners - will travel to some of the UK’s biggest entertainment venues leaving a trail of glitter in their wake: Utilita Arena Newcastle, First Direct Bank Arena Leeds, AO Arena Manchester, Utilita Arena Sheffield, M&S Bank Arena Liverpool, OVO Hydro Glasgow, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, and finally The O2 in London, culminating on 15 February.

The Strictly Live Tour celebrates all the joy of the smash-hit BBC series, showcasing the amazing choreography and fantastic live music that Strictly is synonymous with – providing audiences of all ages up and down the country the opportunity to experience everything they love about the TV show live on stage.

Not only are the arena audiences treated to the spectacular roof-raising routines, but they are also granted the power to decide who wins the coveted Glitterball Trophy at the end of each show. The tour judges will of course provide their invaluable wisdom, advice and scores at each performance - we couldn’t stop them if we tried - but the ultimate power lies with the audience. A text for their favourite couple is all it takes; their votes will decide who wins!

Each performance will host a British Sign Language interpreter, who will be displayed on two very large screens on either side of the stage so that audiences can book tickets and sit almost anywhere in the arena to enjoy the experience with family and friends.

STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE UK TOUR 2026

23 – 25 January Birmingham Utilita Arena

(Friday 23 at 7.30pm, Saturday 24 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm and Sunday 25 at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

27-28 January Newcastle Utilita Arena

(Tuesday 27 at 7.30pm, Wednesday 28 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

29 – 30 January Leeds First Direct Arena

(Thursday 29 at 7.30pm and Friday 30 at 7.30pm)

31 January – 1 February Manchester AO Arena

(Saturday 31 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 1 at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

3 - 4 February Sheffield Utilita Arena

(Tuesday 3 at 7.30pm and Wednesday 4 at 2.30pm)

5 – 6 February Liverpool M&S Bank Arena

(Thursday 5 at 7.30pm and Friday 6 at 7.30pm)

7 – 8 February Glasgow OVO Hydro

(Saturday 7 at 3pm & 8pm and Sunday 8 at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

10 – 12 February Nottingham Motorpoint Arena

(Tuesday 10 at 7.30pm, Wednesday 11 at 7.30pm and Thursday 12 at 7.30pm)

13 – 15 February London The O2 Arena

(Friday 13 at 7.30pm, Saturday 14 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm and Sunday 15 at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

For more information and to book tickets, visit: StrictlyComeDancingLive.com