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Cancel your fall plans, or at least make sure your DVR has plenty of room, because ABC just revealed when some of television’s biggest shows are coming back.

ABC’s fall 2026 television schedule is officially taking shape, and the Disney-owned network is preparing a packed season filled with returning dramas, comedy revivals, reality competitions, live sports, game shows, and a major Disney and Pixar network television premiere.

The lineup includes the long-awaited return of Scrubs, a special two-night premiere of Dancing with the Stars, the launch of 9-1-1: Nashville, new seasons of Abbott Elementary, Grey’s Anatomy, Shark Tank, and America’s Funniest Home Videos, plus the broadcast premiere of Inside Out 2.

However, not every ABC favorite will return this fall. Several major shows, including The Rookie, Will Trent, High Potential, and The Bachelor, are being held until 2027.

Here is the complete ABC fall 2026 premiere schedule and everything viewers need to know before the new television season begins.

ABC’s new fall schedule arrives after another successful year for the network.

According to ABC, the network delivered 10 of the Top 20 broadcast programs among Adults 18-49 during the 2025-2026 television season, more than any other broadcast network.

ABC also received the most Emmy Award nominations among broadcast networks for the second consecutive year, giving the network plenty of momentum heading into its new fall lineup.

The 2026 schedule will blend established franchises such as Grey’s Anatomy and 9-1-1 with revived favorites like Scrubs, newer dramas including R.J. Decker, live sporting events, game shows, and family-oriented Sunday night programming.

ABC’s Fall Season Begins With College Football

ABC’s fall programming officially begins on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with college football.

The season-opening game will feature Alabama A&M against Howard beginning at 7:30 PM ET and 4:30 PM PT.

College football will continue to anchor ABC’s Saturday night schedule throughout the fall, with games generally beginning at 7:30 PM Eastern.

Monday Night Football Returns September 14

ABC’s regular fall programming continues on Monday, September 14, with the return of Monday Night Football.

The first announced matchup will feature the Denver Broncos visiting the Kansas City Chiefs beginning at 8 PM ET and 5 PM PT.

ESPN’s Monday Night Football will air on ABC during most Mondays throughout the fall season.

Dancing with the Stars Gets a Two-Night Premiere

The ballroom will reopen on Tuesday, September 15, when Dancing with the Stars begins its new season with a special two-night premiere event.

The first night will air at 8 PM Eastern, followed by the second-season premiere of R.J. Decker at 10 PM.

The Dancing with the Stars premiere will then continue on a special night at 8 PM on Wednesday, September 16.

ABC’s ballroom competition is returning after a particularly successful season that generated approximately half a billion fan votes and earned the series its first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Reality Competition Program in a decade.

As with recent seasons, Dancing with the Stars will air live on ABC while simulcasting live on Disney+.

Tuesday, September 15

• Dancing with the Stars two-night premiere — 8 PM
• R.J. Decker Season 2 premiere — 10 PM

Wednesday, September 16

• Dancing with the Stars special premiere night — 8 PM

R.J. Decker Returns for Season 2

The second season of R.J. Decker will premiere immediately following the first night of Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday, September 15, at 10 PM.

The drama will remain part of ABC’s regular Tuesday night lineup, airing after Dancing with the Stars.

The pairing gives ABC a combination of live reality television and scripted drama on Tuesday evenings throughout the fall season.

20/20 Returns September 25

ABC’s long-running newsmagazine 20/20 will return on Friday, September 25, at 9 PM.

The series is anchored by David Muir and Deborah Roberts and remains ABC News’ top-rated newsmagazine.

Once Celebrity Wheel of Fortune joins the Friday schedule in October, 20/20 will continue airing immediately afterward in the 9 PM time slot.

America’s Funniest Home Videos Gets a Two-Episode Premiere

Family programming returns to ABC on Sunday, September 27, beginning with a two-episode premiere of America’s Funniest Home Videos at 7 PM.

The long-running home-video series will continue anchoring ABC’s Sunday night lineup during the fall.

Following its premiere event, America’s Funniest Home Videos is expected to remain in its regular 7 PM Sunday time slot.

Inside Out 2 Is Coming to Network Television

Disney and Pixar fans will have a major reason to tune into ABC on September 27.

Following the two-episode premiere of America’s Funniest Home Videos, The Wonderful World of Disney will present the network television premiere of Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 at 9 PM.

The broadcast will mark the first time the blockbuster Pixar sequel has aired on network television.

Inside Out 2 follows Riley as she enters her teenage years and encounters several new emotions, including Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment.

The film became one of Disney and Pixar’s biggest theatrical releases, making its ABC premiere a notable addition to the network’s family-focused Sunday schedule.

Sunday, September 27

• America’s Funniest Home Videos two-episode premiere — 7 PM
• The Wonderful World of Disney: Inside Out 2 — 9 PM

The Scrubs Revival Finally Has a Premiere Date

One of the most anticipated television returns of the year will happen on Wednesday, September 30.

ABC’s revival of Scrubs will premiere with two back-to-back episodes beginning at 8 PM.

The new series brings viewers back into the world of Sacred Heart with familiar characters including J.D., Turk, and Elliot while also introducing a new generation of medical professionals.

The original Scrubs debuted in 2001 and became known for blending workplace comedy, emotional storytelling, surreal fantasy sequences, and medical drama.

Its return gives ABC another recognizable comedy property while adding a major dose of early-2000s television nostalgia to Wednesday nights.

After its two-episode premiere, Scrubs will settle into its regular 8 PM Wednesday time slot.

Shark Tank Also Gets a Two-Episode Premiere

Immediately after Scrubs, Shark Tank will begin its new season with its own two-episode premiere.

The special premiere will air at 9 PM on Wednesday, September 30.

Beginning October 7, Shark Tank will move into its regular 10 PM Wednesday time slot.

The schedule gives viewers two hours of Shark Tank during premiere week before the show moves later in the evening to make room for the rest of ABC’s Wednesday comedy and game-show lineup.

Wednesday, September 30

• Scrubs two-episode premiere — 8 PM
• Shark Tank two-episode premiere — 9 PM

Ryan Seacrest Joins Celebrity Wheel of Fortune

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune returns on Friday, October 2, at 8 PM.

The new season will mark Ryan Seacrest’s debut as host of the celebrity edition alongside longtime Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White.

Seacrest previously took over the syndicated version of Wheel of Fortune following Pat Sajak’s departure as its regular host.

ABC’s Friday night schedule will pair Celebrity Wheel of Fortune at 8 PM with 20/20 at 9 PM.

Abbott Elementary Returns October 7

Students and staff will return to the halls of Abbott Elementary on Wednesday, October 7.

The Emmy Award-winning comedy will air at 8:30 PM, following Scrubs at 8 PM.

That pairing creates a full comedy hour for ABC on Wednesday nights, bringing together the returning workplace sitcom and the newly revived medical comedy.

ABC’s Wednesday Lineup Beginning October 7

• Scrubs — 8 PM
• Abbott Elementary — 8:30 PM
• Who Wants To Be A Millionaire — 9 PM
• Shark Tank — 10 PM

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Continues Season 5

The fifth season of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire will continue as part of ABC’s fall schedule beginning Wednesday, October 7, at 9 PM.

The game show will air between Abbott Elementary and Shark Tank.

ABC’s official schedule identifies the October episodes as a continuation of the show’s fifth season rather than the beginning of an entirely new season.

ABC Is Creating a Full 9-1-1 Night

Thursday nights will be all about emergency responders, Nashville, and Grey Sloan Memorial beginning October 15.

ABC will start the evening with the returning flagship series 9-1-1 at 8 PM.

The new spinoff 9-1-1: Nashville will follow at 9 PM, before Grey’s Anatomy closes the evening at 10 PM.

This will give ABC a three-hour block of high-stakes dramas centered on first responders, medical emergencies, and personal relationships.

Thursday, October 15

• 9-1-1 — 8 PM
• 9-1-1: Nashville — 9 PM
• Grey’s Anatomy — 10 PM

9-1-1: Nashville Returns For Another Season

The newest expansion of the 9-1-1 television universe will premiere on Thursday, October 15, at 9 PM.

9-1-1: Nashville will air immediately after the original 9-1-1, creating a two-hour franchise block before Grey’s Anatomy.

The new series follows emergency responders in Nashville while incorporating the family drama, dangerous rescues, natural disasters, and high-stakes situations that have become trademarks of the franchise.

Its premiere is one of the biggest new scripted launches on ABC’s fall 2026 schedule.

Grey’s Anatomy Returns October 15

Grey’s Anatomy will return to ABC on Thursday, October 15, at 10 PM.

The series remains the longest-running primetime medical drama in television history.

Its placement after 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville keeps ABC’s Thursday schedule focused entirely on emergency and medical dramas.

The network is also developing a new, currently untitled Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, although that series will not debut until 2027.

Several Major ABC Shows Are Being Held Until 2027

Some of ABC’s most popular series are noticeably absent from the fall premiere calendar.

ABC confirmed that new seasons of the following returning shows will debut in 2027:

• The Bachelor
• High Potential
• The Rookie
• Shifting Gears
• Will Trent

Premiere dates for these returning programs have not yet been announced.

The Rookie: North Is Also Coming in 2027

ABC is expanding The Rookie universe with a new spinoff titled The Rookie: North.

The series will follow Alex Holland, a man who finds renewed purpose after a violent home invasion and joins the Pierce County Police Department as a rookie officer.

Unlike the Los Angeles setting of the original series, The Rookie: North will explore policing across urban coastal communities and rural forest areas where backup may be much farther away.

The cast includes:

• Jay Ellis
• Janet Montgomery
• Karen Fukuhara
• Chris Sullivan
• Froy Gutierrez
• Mya Lowe
• Malik Watson

The series is produced by Lionsgate Television in partnership with 20th Television.

The Rookie creator Alexi Hawley will serve as writer and executive producer. Nathan Fillion, Mark Gordon, Bill Norcross, and Michelle Chapman will also executive produce, while Jay Ellis will serve as a producer.

The show will premiere sometime in 2027, although ABC has not announced an exact date.

A Grey’s Anatomy Spinoff Is Planned for 2027

ABC has also confirmed that an untitled Grey’s Anatomy spinoff will premiere in 2027.

Details about the series remain limited, and an exact premiere date has not been revealed.

The project will become the latest extension of the Grey’s Anatomy universe following previous spinoffs Private Practice and Station 19.

Celebrity Jeopardy! Has Been Moved to 2027

Celebrity Jeopardy! was initially announced as part of ABC’s fall programming, but the network has now confirmed that the show will return in 2027 instead.

An exact premiere date will be announced later.

ABC’s published nightly schedule still displays the game show within a Wednesday lineup, but the network’s updated premiere announcement specifically states that its return has been moved to 2027.

ABC confirmed that its original programming will be available to stream on Hulu the day after it airs. Bundle subscribers will also be able to access the programming through Hulu on Disney+.

Dancing with the Stars will receive additional streaming availability by simulcasting live on Disney+ while airing on ABC.

Availability may vary depending on a viewer’s subscription, location, and participating television provider.

The return of Scrubs is likely to be one of the season’s biggest conversation starters, while 9-1-1: Nashville expands one of ABC’s most successful drama franchises. Meanwhile, Dancing with the Stars, Shark Tank, Abbott Elementary, Grey’s Anatomy, and America’s Funniest Home Videos give the network a lineup filled with recognizable favorites.

Disney fans will also want to mark September 27 on their calendars for the network television premiere of Inside Out 2 through The Wonderful World of Disney.

The biggest surprise may be how many popular shows are being held until 2027. Viewers waiting for The Rookie, Will Trent, High Potential, and The Bachelor will need to remain patient a little longer.

Keep checking back with Theme Park Scope for the latest Disney television news, ABC premiere dates, Disney+ streaming updates, movie announcements, entertainment coverage, and everything else happening across The Walt Disney Company.