For most recent seasons of Dancing with the Stars , 5 couples have gone to the finale, but that is a fairly new twist and not how the show originally worked.

How the finale usually works

In earlier seasons, the DWTS finale typically featured 3 couples , and for many years that was the standard format fans were used to. As the show evolved, producers expanded the finale field to 4 couples in many seasons, which became the more “normal” setup for a long stretch.

The newer 5-couple finales

In very recent seasons (including season 34 in 2025), the show has bumped the finale up to 5 couples competing for the trophy. Commentators and fan forums note that having 5 couples in the finale is described as “not typical” and “for the first time” or “unprecedented,” highlighting that it’s a newer production choice rather than a long-standing rule.

So, what’s the “right” answer?

If someone asks “how many couples go to the DWTS finale” right now , the practical answer is:

  • Expect 5 couples in the finale in the latest seasons.
  • Historically, it was 3 , then often 4 , so older seasons will look different if you rewatch them.

So the short, current-focused answer is: five couples go to the DWTS finale in the most recent format , even though that hasn’t always been the case. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.