Dancing with the Stars winner predictions – who could win?
Ezra Frech has the market lead, but Maura Higgins is giving him something to think about. She topped the latest Dancing with the Stars judges’ leaderboard, keeping the race for the Mirrorball firmly in play. With 11 couples still in the ballroom, there’s plenty of competition left. Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong were the latest to leave on October 6, 2026.
Culture
By Claire Williamson
This Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) predictions guide looks at the four contenders shown at the top of OG.com’s winner market, their recent performances and what could change the race.
Results reflect episodes completed through October 6, 2026. Market prices were checked on October 9, 2026 and may change.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Who will win Dancing with the Stars?
Frech is the current market favorite among the four outcomes shown first on our market. He has the lead in this snapshot, but he still needs to get through the remaining rounds. Judges’ scores and viewer votes decide which couples stay in the competition.
Higgins has already shown she can finish ahead of him on the dance floor. She scored 25 out of 30 on Mariah Carey Night, with Frech and Harry Shum Jr. close behind on 24 and Amber Glenn on 23. Jenna Dewan also earned 24, a reminder that the challenge extends beyond these four market contenders.
For now, Higgins has the edge on the latest judges’ scores and Frech leads the displayed market.
That leaves an intriguing race, with viewer support still part of the picture. Neither measure tells us who has the most votes or who will take home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Dancing with the Stars winner predictions
Here’s how the displayed market prices line up with the latest judges’ scores. The percentages show the market-implied chances based on each Yes price. They aren’t a viewer poll or a prediction from the show.
Contender
Professional partner
Yes price
Displayed %
Oct. 6 score
Ezra Frech
Daniella Karagach
62¢
62%
24/30
Maura Higgins
Mark Ballas
20¢
20%
25/30
Harry Shum Jr.
Jenna Johnson
18¢
18%
24/30
Amber Glenn
Pasha Pashkov
16¢
16%
23/30
Prices checked October 9, 2026. For the latest market-implied probability, check the OG app.
Prices checked October 9, 2026. For the latest market-implied probability, check the OG app.
Ezra Frech
Frech and Daniella Karagach stayed close to the top on October 6. Their rumba to “Anytime You Need a Friend” earned eight from every judge, bringing the Paralympic gold medalist’s total to 24 out of 30.
Finishing just one point behind Higgins gives Frech’s market lead some backing on the dance floor. The challenge now is to keep delivering as the dance styles change. More strong scores would strengthen his case; letting Higgins or another rival pull away would make that lead harder to explain through performance alone.
His athletic background adds interest to his ballroom journey, but it doesn’t tell us how many viewers are voting for him. For now, his market price lead could be an insight into trader sentiment.
Maura Higgins
Higgins and Mark Ballas took the top spot on October 6 with their waltz to “If It’s Over.” Carrie Ann Inaba awarded them nine, with Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli giving eight each, for a total of 25 out of 30.
That’s a step up from the 22 she earned for her September 29 quickstep. It gives Higgins a fresh reason to feature in the winner conversation, even with her displayed contract price below Frech’s.
Keeping that standard across new dance assignments is her next test. Topping the leaderboard shows she can compete with the strongest couples. Whether she can turn those performances into a run to the trophy also depends on viewer support, which these scores don’t measure.
Harry Shum Jr.
Shum knows his way around choreography. Before dancing on Glee, he worked as a backup dancer, and he’s now bringing that experience to his partnership with Jenna Johnson.
The pair have been keeping the pressure on. Their September 29 jive earned 24, and their October 6 tango to “It’s Like That” matched it. Two different styles, with both scores putting them close to the latest leader.
That consistency makes Shum a credible challenger in the race. Can he turn it into a sustained lead? He’ll need to keep delivering and draw enough viewer support to get through the later rounds. His dance background helps explain the interest in him, but it doesn’t settle the voting question.
Amber Glenn
Glenn brings Olympic gold medal-winning figure skating experience to her partnership with Pasha Pashkov. Their October 6 rumba to “Hero” earned 23 out of 30, following a 24-point foxtrot on September 29.
She finished two points behind Higgins on the latest night, so there’s room to close the gap. Those performances keep Glenn in the contender conversation, even if they don’t give her a clear edge over the other featured couples.
Her skating background gives viewers a reason to watch her musicality and how she handles the spotlight. For DWTS winner predictions, though, her weekly ballroom performances are the firmer guide. She still has to turn that experience into dances that keep her in the competition.
How do judges’ scores and viewer votes work?
The judges have their say, and so do the viewers. DWTS combines both when deciding which couples continue. On October 6, the three regular judges scored the featured couples’ dances out of a possible 30. Those totals matter, but they’re only part of the result.
Fans who meet the eligibility rules can vote. The window opens with the live broadcast at 8 p.m. ET and closes shortly after the final competitive dance.
That’s what makes Dancing with the Stars elimination predictions tricky. You can see who impressed the judges, but the leaderboard doesn’t show the full result once viewer support comes in. The lowest dance score alone won’t tell you who’s going home.
What could decide the Dancing with the Stars winner?
A strong night can put a couple in the spotlight. Staying there means handling the next dance assignment just as well. Higgins led the latest episode, while Shum matched his previous week’s score in a different style. Both have something to build on, but neither pattern is guaranteed to continue.
Then there’s the audience. A familiar face or a widely shared clip may get people talking, but that doesn’t tell us how many will vote. Fame, follower counts and market prices can’t stand in for evidence of actual voting support.
Experience gives the race another angle. Shum’s dance background and Glenn’s skating career help explain why viewers might follow them closely. The real test is how those skills show up in each routine, since one strong style doesn’t establish an advantage across the board.
Rehearsal time matters, too. An injury could disrupt preparation, while a withdrawal could change the field altogether. That’s a possible turning point to watch for, rather than a claim about any featured contestant’s current health.
Dancing with the Stars finale predictions will sharpen once the finalists and final-round format are confirmed. Until then, a winner market gives us a view of the race today, rather than a confirmed lineup for the last night.
How to trade Dancing with the Stars predictions on OG.com
If you want to follow the race through prediction markets, OG.com lists event contracts on the Season 35 winner. Here’s how to explore the market and review what a trade involves.
Create an account: Open an account and complete sign-up, including identity verification. You can use OG.com’s web or mobile platforms.
Review and trade: Compare the displayed price with your own view. Check the rules, fees, available orders and settlement details before opening a position.
Monitor your position: Track your open position and market movement as the show releases new results.
The market rules tie settlement to the officially announced winner reported by ABC. Check the full rules for withdrawals, joint winners and other exceptional outcomes. Trading involves risk, including losing the cost of entering a transaction and fees.
Frech leads the displayed OG.com winner market in this snapshot. He’s the market favorite here, but the remaining performances and viewer votes can still change the race.
Who are the Dancing with the Stars frontrunners?
Frech, Higgins, Shum and Glenn are the four featured market contenders. Dewan is also worth watching on performance: She matched Frech and Shum’s October 6 judges’ score.
How is the Dancing with the Stars winner decided?
Judges’ scores and viewer votes decide the competition. The winning pair takes home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Do judges or viewers decide who wins Dancing with the Stars?
Both have a say. Judges score the routines and viewers vote for their chosen couples. The dance scores alone don’t tell the whole story.
Who is predicted to reach the Dancing with the Stars final?
The featured couples are in the conversation, but the finalist lineup hasn’t been confirmed. A price on winning the trophy also doesn’t tell you a contestant’s chance of reaching the final – those are different outcomes.
Can you trade Dancing with the Stars predictions on OG.com?
Yes, although access and trading depend on account eligibility and applicable restrictions. Review the current market rules and fees before opening a position.
Important information
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