The historic premises of the Chotek Library at Kačina Castle became the stage where the twenty-year history of the most popular dance show in the Czech Republic comes to life. Amidst a backdrop full of literary treasures and nostalgia, presenters Marek Eben and Tereza Kostková, along with the new lineup of ten contestants, look back at an era that turned dance into a national phenomenon. On September 14, 2026, Czech Television officially launched the campaign for the anniversary 14th season of StarDance, promising a fusion of respect for tradition with modern technological innovations.
The upcoming season is conceived as a celebration of two decades of elegance and joy on television screens. According to the public broadcaster's management, it is one of the few entertainment formats on the market that has managed to maintain a high level and audience favor for such a long time. Czech Television Director General Hynek Chudárek, when presenting the new developments, expressed admiration for the project's longevity and wished the entire team and contestants enough strength for the intense weeks that will culminate in December this year.
The anniversary 14th season of StarDance will kick off live on ČT1 and iVysílání on Saturday, October 10, precisely at 8:10 PM.
Library of Memories and Cinematic Promo
The centerpiece of this year's visual identity is a new promo video, which premiered at the press conference. Director Jan Bártek does not merely use an advertising shortcut but creates a cinematic tribute to the show's archive. The central motif is a “magical library,” symbolizing the memory of viewers and the production team. Viewers can glimpse what contestants have experienced over twenty years of broadcasting, with the visual seamlessly transitioning from nostalgia to a dynamic invitation to the current season.
The creative team expects strong emotions from this execution. The goal was not only to recap the past but to build a bridge to the new energy of the ten couples who will perform on the dance floor for the first time. According to creative producer Lucie Kapounová, preparing for the anniversary is a huge challenge, as the ambition is to surprise viewers again and offer them a story that will rely not only on historical merits but on the joy of dance in real-time.
The Return of Zdeněk Chlopčík and New Names in the Jury
The lineup of ten couples was known earlier, but only now have the celebrities and their professional partners appeared in full formation. Since summer, they have undergone rigorous training to stand before the expert jury in October. This year, the jury sees a significant return and fresh blood. The uncompromising Zdeněk Chlopčík returns to the scoring tables, joining regulars Tatiana Drexler and Richard Genzer. The quartet is completed by a new addition, respected choreographer Jana Burkiewiczová.
List of competing couples in the 14th season of StarDance:
- Hana Dvorská and Michal Kurtiš — an experienced stuntwoman paired with a winner from previous seasons.
- Vojtěch Dyk and Catharina Málek — a popular singer and actor accompanied by a talented dancer.
- Marta Jandová and Martin Prágr — a rock singer under the guidance of an experienced professional.
- Tomáš Matonoha and Lenka Nora Návorková — an actor and comedian paired with a beloved dancer.
- Petra Nesvačilová and Filip Hudlický — an actress and director entering the training process.
- Tomáš Polák and Adriana Mašková — a musician from the band Mig 21 alongside a previous winner.
- Tomáš Sean Pšenička and Natálie Otáhalová — a young acting talent and his dance partner.
- Sara Prachař Sandeva and Daniel Makovec — a star actress in a new dance challenge.
- Radek Štěpánek and Vanda Bartošová Dětinská — tennis legend swaps racket for dancing shoes.
- Luciana Tomášová and Robin Ondráček — this ambitious duo completes the ten.
Viewers will now be able to vote via a mobile application, which will be available for free and will replace traditional SMS.
Technological Innovations and Educational Outreach
In addition to changes in the jury, the 14th season brings a significant innovation in audience interaction. Czech Television is launching the official StarDance mobile application. This tool is set to become the central hub for fans, who will find exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and bonus videos within it. However, the most important function is a modernized voting system, which is intended to be a more convenient alternative for users than the previously used text messages.
StarDance also maintains its broader societal dimension through the project Tančí celá škola (The Whole School Dances). In the last season, approximately 10,000 children participated in this activity, rehearsing choreographies by head choreographer Martin Kolda. They send their videos to the ČT edu portal, and the best groups get the opportunity to visit Czech Television and meet the show's finalists.
“We wanted to create a promo that carries the magic of nostalgia, but also a large dose of energy and anticipation for a new beginning. We were inspired by a magical library, a metaphorical archive of StarDance, where Tereza and Marek discover how deeply this show has imprinted itself on the memory and hearts of viewers. It’s like a peek behind the scenes of what viewers, contestants, and the production team have experienced together over the years, and also an invitation to the wild ride that awaits us this year,”
The Road to the Grand Finale
The entire marathon of live broadcasts will lead to the decisive moment when the names of the new winners will be revealed. The path to the title of king and queen of the dance floor will last two months and will test the physical and mental condition of all ten couples. The grand finale is scheduled for December 12, 2026.
Whether the new jury will find the ideal balance between strictness and support, and how digital voting will affect the competition's results, remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the anniversary season intends to reaffirm its position as the most watched dance format in the country, with the help of modern technologies and the return of iconic faces like Zdeněk Chlopčík.