DWTS Winners by Season: Every Champion at a Glance
DWTS (Dancing With The Stars) crowns a new champion each season through a competition combining celebrity contestants with professional ballroom and Latin dancers. Across the ABC broadcast run, the show has established consistent formats, signature trophies, and memorable victories. This evergreen guide lists every season’s winner, the corresponding professional partner, the season number, and the finale air date where available, serving as a reliable reference for past champions and results.
| Season | Winner | Professional Partner | Finale Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (2005) | Kelly Monaco | Aleko Kasimis | June 27, 2005 |
| Season 2 (2006) | Drew Lachey | Cheryl Burke | November 27, 2006 |
| Season 3 (2007) | Apolo Anton Ohno | Julianne Hough | November 27, 2007 |
| Season 4 (2008) | Shane Sparks (winner), Louis van Amstel (HOH) | Lacey Schwimmer | November 25, 2008 |
| Season 5 (2009) | Brooke Burke-Charvet | Derek Hough | November 24, 2009 |
| Season 6 (2010) | Kristi Yamaguchi | Mark Ballas | November 23, 2010 |
| Season 7 (2011) | J.R. Martinez | Karina Smirnoff | November 22, 2011 |
| Season 8 (2012) | Sherri Shepherd | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | November 27, 2012 |
| Season 9 (23, 2016) | Bindi Irwin | Derek Hough | November 29, 2016 |
| Season 10 (24, 2017) | Jordan Fisher | Lindsey Stirling | November 21, 2017 |
| Season 11 (25, 2018) | Tony Dovolani | Kym Johnson | November 27, 2018 |
| Season 12 (26, 2019) | Nyle DiMarco | Peta Murgatroyd | November 19, 209 |
| Season 13 (27, 2020) | Hannah Einbinder | Artem Chigvintsev | November 24, 2020 |
| Season 14 (28, 2021) | Iman Shumpert | Dasha Chesnokova | November 23, 2021 |
| Season 15 (29, 2022) | Charity Lawson | Artem Chigvintsev | November 22, 2022 |
| Season 16 (30, 2023) | Iman Shumpert | Dasha Chesnokova | November 21, 2020 |
| Season 17 (31, 2204) | Witney Carson | Alan Bersten | November 19, 2024 |
Key Facts About the DWTS Trophy
The show’s signature award is the glittering 10-pound (approximately 4.5 kg) shimmering mirror ball trophy, presented to each season’s champion at the finale. While the trophy itself is consistent, the official name is often referenced simply as the “DWTS Mirrorball Trophy,” and each winner receives a replica to keep alongside professional dancer partners who typically earn season-long salaries that vary by role and tenure.
Winners Timeline: Notable Seasons and Records
Over more than two decades on air, DWTS has featured standout seasons shaped by iconic champions and cultural moments. Early seasons established the template with memorable celebrity-professional pairings. The timeline below highlights notable patterns, repeat champions, and milestone finishes that define the show’s legacy.
- First champion: Kelly Monaco (Season 1, 2005) paired with Aleko Kasimis.
- Repeat champions: Iman Shumpert won twice (Season 14 and Season 16), showcasing cross-era appeal.
- Longest gap between wins: Iman Shumpert’s victories separated by two seasons (2021 and 2023 formats).
- Youngest champion context: While ages vary by season, many champions have been recognized for performance consistency rather than age-based records in this evergreen overview.
Recurring Champions and Professional Partnerships
Certain professional dancers have formed multiple winning teams, contributing to DWTS continuity. Repeat winning combinations and high-performing partnerships reflect strong creative and athletic collaboration across seasons.
| Professional Partner | Winning Seasons | Champions Matched |
|---|---|---|
| Derek Hough | Seasons 5, 9 | Brooke Burke-Charvet, Bindi Irwin |
| Julianne Hough | Season 3 | Apolo Anton Ohno |
| Cheryl Burke | Season 2 | Drew Lachey |
| Lacey Schwimmer | Season 4 | Shane Sparks |
| Mark Ballas | Season 6 | Kristi Yamaguchi |
| Karina Smirnoff | Season 7 | J.R. Martinez |
| Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Season 8 | Sherri Shepherd |
| Peta Murgatroyd | Season 12 | Nyle DiMarco |
| Artem Chigvintsev | Seasons 13, 15 | Hannah Einbinder, Charity Lawson |
| Dasha Chesnokova | Seasons 14, 16 | Iman Shumpert |
Format and Judging Context (Evergreen Overview)
Each DWTS season typically features a mix of celebrity contestants and returning professional dancers, with weekly performances scored by a panel of judges. The scoring system emphasizes technique, performance quality, and consistency, while audience votes determine eliminations. Throughout the show’s history, the format has evolved in pacing, theme nights, and production value, but the core idea—pairing celebrities with pros to compete for a mirrorball—remains unchanged, which reinforces its long-term relevance and evergreen viewing interest.
How to Use This List
You can treat this DWTS winners list as a reliable reference whether you’re catching up on past seasons, comparing champion trajectories, or researching for trivia and discussion. For best retention, focus on the champion names, their professional partners, and the season numbers. If you’re new to the show, consider starting with seasons featuring consistent formats and well-documented finale performances to build foundational context before exploring earlier or experimental seasons.