Dancing with the Stars 2025 finale airs tonight at 8 p.m., here’s who’s competing for the trophy

Dancing with the Stars Season 34 finale airs tonight at 8 p.m. EST on ABC and Disney+. Five incredible couples are competing for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The three-hour show runs until 11 p.m. EST. Get ready for the most heated ballroom battle of the season.

Who’s Dancing Tonight: Meet the Finalists

The ballroom showdown features five fierce contestants. Robert Irwin, the wildlife conservationist, dances with Witney Carson. Social media sensation Alix Earle partners with Val Chmerkovskiy. Actor Dylan Efron takes the floor with Daniella Karagach. Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles teams up with Ezra Sosa. Actress Elaine Hendrix rounds out the lineup with Alan Bersten.

These five pairs survived an intense semifinals round. The competition kicked off earlier this season with 13 celebrities. Week after week, dancers got eliminated until only these five remained. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas didn’t make the cut last week. Now it’s everything on the line.

Robert Irwin arrives as the favorite. Betting odds give him. Plus, he’s maintained consistently high scores throughout the season. But don’t count out Alix Earle. She’s been hot lately with her TikTok savvy and sharp footwork.

Contestant	Pro Partner	Background
Robert Irwin	Witney Carson	Wildlife conservationist
Alix Earle	Val Chmerkovskiy	Social media influencer
Dylan Efron	Daniella Karagach	Television personality
Jordan Chiles	Ezra Sosa	Olympic gymnast
Elaine Hendrix	Alan Bersten	TV and film actress

The Three Rounds Tonight: Here’s What to Expect

The finale packs three intense rounds into one epic evening. First comes the Judges’ Choice round. Judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli pick the style for each pair. They’ll direct Robert and Witney to perform a quickstep. Alix and Val dance samba. Dylan and Daniella tackle paso doble. Jordan and Ezra also perform paso doble. Elaine and Alan deliver rumba.

Round two is the Instant Dance Challenge. Here’s the kicker: competitors learn the song and style just minutes before performing. They won’t know what’s coming. This tests pure instinct and professional training under pressure.

The grand finale? The Freestyle round. Couples choreograph their own routines set to songs they choose. It’s their moment to shine. Robert and Witney perform to “Black & Gold” and “The Nights.” Alix and Val dance to “Maneater” and “Sports car.” Dylan and Daniella go with “Something In The Heavens.” Jordan and Ezra perform to “Motivation.” Elaine and Alan showcase “I Hope I Get It.”

Why Tonight Matters: Trophy Dreams and Season Legacy

This isn’t just another episode. It’s the culmination of Season 34, which marks the show’s 20-year anniversary. That’s two decades of ballroom drama. The winner takes home the iconic Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, named after the beloved late judge.

For Robert Irwin, victory would mean everything. The Australian wildlife expert has been consistently strong all season. Fans rally behind him hard. He’s delivered emotional performances, especially dances honoring his late father.

But Alix Earle represents something different. The TikTok sensation brought mainstream social media energy to the ballroom. She’s proven doubters wrong. Plus, she has massive fan support online.

And then there’s Jordan Chiles. The Olympic gymnast started strong, though she hit some bumps. She’s hungry for redemption on finale night.

How to Watch Tonight’s Finale

• ABC Network – Live broadcast at 8 p.m. EST
• Disney+ – Live streaming simultaneously
• Hulu – Available next day on November 26
• ABC.com – Stream anytime after it airs
• The show runs 3 hours until 11 p.m. EST

Fans can also vote during the broadcast. The judges award points throughout the night. Combined with viewer votes, a champion emerges.

What Makes This Finale Unmissable?

Tonight delivers more than just dancing. Season 33 winners Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson return for a special performance. Expect troupe numbers and celebrity guest performances sprinkled throughout. The DWTS Live Tour also gets previewed.

So who takes home the trophy? Nobody knows for sure. Robert Irwin sits atop predictions. But Alix Earle poses serious threat. Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles, and Elaine Hendrix all have paths to victory. That’s what makes tonight absolutely crucial.

Sources

• USA TODAY – Complete finale details and five-couple breakdown
• Forbes – Songs, dances, and performance specifications
• ABC News – Official format and final five confirmation