How do you get 'Strictly Come Dancing' tickets? Be in the audience for the 2022 series
The celebrity cast has been confirmed, training is underway and the Glitterball Trophy is being polished - but how can you get tickets to be in the audience of Strictly Come Dancing 2022?
It's a dream evening out for a Strictly superfan and with live audiences back in the studio as of 2021, devotees of the BBC One series will be hoping to snap up the chance to see their favourite couples dancing live.
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But how do you get those coveted tickets? Here's our guide to being part of one of TV's biggest shows.
How can I get tickets for Strictly Come Dancing 2022?
The great news for Strictly fans is that tickets to see the show filming live are completely free - you just need to be lucky enough to be allocated them in a random ballot.
If you want to watch the Class of '22 vying for the Glitterball Trophy, you'll need to head over to the BBC Shows and Tours website where you can apply to be in the draw.
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But be quick, as the ticket ballot is only open for registrations until Sunday, 28 August at 10pm.
You can apply for as many dates as you like during the run of the series but will only be allocated a maximum of one pair of tickets if you are successful and will only be given one date to attend filming.
Be warned - TV shows generally allocate more tickets than there are seats available for live shows to make sure there are no empty seats in case of no-shows, so just because you've been allocated tickets it doesn't guarantee you'll get a seat.
The filming dates advise a start time of 3pm, but fans start queuing outside the studios well before then to make sure they get a spot.
Where is the show filmed?
The Strictly ballroom is at Elstree Studios.
If you're successful in the ballot, you'll need to be able to get to Elstree Film Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1JG for your chosen date.
Which episodes of Strictly Come Dancing 2022 have tickets available?
The ballots for the professional dancers pre-record and the Strictly launch show where the couples will be announced have already closed, although those who got tickets are still eligible to enter the main show's draw.
As of time of writing, all of the dates are available in the ballot with a closing date for registrations of Sunday, 28 August at 10pm.
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Dates currently listed begin with the first live show on Saturday, 24 September and continue on Saturdays throughout October and November.
The BBC website states that December dates will be released later, but it isn't clear whether the ballot will reopen for them, so best to get your registration in now just in case.
You'll notice that no Sunday show dates are listed - that's because the Sunday results show is actually a pre-record at the Saturday live show (which is why the finish time is listed as around 11pm) with audience members required to keep details of who was sent home a secret until after it airs.
Eagle-eyed viewers will also see that the 19 November date is missing, suggesting that Strictly will finally be back at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool for its series mid-point visit for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.
How can I be at the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2022?
As the December dates aren't yet listed, it hasn't been confirmed when the grand final is taking place in 2022.
Keep a close eye on the ticket site for the December dates being released and make sure you're registered for the ballot in advance.
Judging by previous final dates, it looks likely that the 2022 series will end on Saturday, 17 December.
How else can I watch the Strictly stars dance?
Of course, your guaranteed way to see the show is by tuning in to BBC One - with the pre-recorded launch show airing on Friday, 23 September and the first live show the day after on Saturday, 24 September.
Strictly also signs up its most popular stars from each series for a live tour of the UK, usually beginning in the New Year after the competition ends.
Dates are expected to run throughout January and February at a range of UK locations - keep an eye on strictlycomedancinglive.com for details.
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