ABC Fall 2026 Premiere Dates: 9-1-1, Grey's Anatomy, Abbott Elementary and More Return
- Je-Ree
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
ABC is getting ready to kick off the 2026-2027 television season, and if your watchlist has been feeling a little empty, don't worry—the network just dropped its fall premiere schedule. From the return of fan favorites like 9-1-1, Grey's Anatomy, Abbott Elementary, and Shark Tank to the latest season of Dancing With the Stars, there's plenty to look forward to over the next few months.
Sports fans won't have to wait long either, with college football and Monday Night Football leading the charge before the entertainment lineup officially takes over. Meanwhile, ABC is also saving several of its biggest scripted hits for midseason, giving viewers even more reasons to stay tuned into 2027.
Here's a breakdown of everything coming to ABC this fall.
ABC's Fall 2026 Premiere Schedule
ABC's new season begins with football before shifting into reality competitions, comedies, dramas, and longtime favorites.
Date | Time (ET) | Premiere |
Saturday, Aug. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | College Football (Alabama A&M vs. Howard) |
Monday, Sept. 14 | 8 p.m. | Monday Night Football (Broncos vs. Chiefs) |
Tuesday, Sept. 15 | 8 p.m. | Dancing With the Stars Season 35 |
Tuesday, Sept. 15 | 10 p.m. | R.J. Decker Season 2 |
Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 8 p.m. | Dancing With the Stars special episode |
Friday, Sept. 25 | 9 p.m. | 20/20 Season 49 |
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 7 p.m. | America's Funniest Home Videos Season 37 (two-episode premiere) |
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 9 p.m. | The Wonderful World of Disney begins with the TV premiere of Inside Out 2 |
Wednesday, Sept. 30 | 8 p.m. | Scrubs Season 2 (two-episode premiere) |
Wednesday, Sept. 30 | 9 p.m. | Shark Tank Season 18 (two-episode premiere) |
Friday, Oct. 2 | 8 p.m. | Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Season 7 |
Wednesday, Oct. 7 | 8 p.m. | Scrubs returns with a new episode |
Wednesday, Oct. 7 | 8:30 p.m. | Abbott Elementary Season 6 |
Wednesday, Oct. 7 | 9 p.m. | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire |
Wednesday, Oct. 7 | 10 p.m. | Shark Tank |
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 8 p.m. | 9-1-1 Season 10 |
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 9 p.m. | 9-1-1: Nashville Season 2 |
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 10 p.m. | Grey's Anatomy Season 23 |
One thing is clear: Wednesdays are shaping up to be appointment television. Between Scrubs, Abbott Elementary, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and Shark Tank, ABC is stacking the night with a mix of comedy, competition, and business drama. That's a lineup that practically schedules itself.
Thursday also remains the network's powerhouse drama night. 9-1-1 celebrates a milestone 10th season before handing things off to 9-1-1: Nashville, with Grey's Anatomy closing out the evening as the iconic medical drama heads into its 23rd season. Whew—Shonda's legacy just keeps going.
Several Fan Favorites Are Waiting Until Midseason
If you were looking for High Potential, The Rookie, or Will Trent on the fall calendar, don't panic. ABC is holding several of its biggest scripted hits for midseason.
Returning in 2027 are:
High Potential Season 3
Shifting Gears Season 3
The Rookie Season 9
Will Trent Season 5
The network is also preparing to launch two brand-new scripted series next year. The Rookie: North will expand the popular franchise, while a new Texas-set Grey's Anatomy spinoff will introduce viewers to another corner of the medical universe.
Reality fans also have plenty to anticipate in 2027, with new seasons of The Bachelor, Bachelor in Paradise, and Celebrity Jeopardy! all set to arrive during the midseason rollout.
ABC Is Spreading the Love Across the TV Season
Rather than packing every major title into September, ABC is once again taking a staggered approach to its schedule. The strategy keeps fresh episodes arriving throughout both the fall and winter while giving returning favorites more room to shine.
Whether you're tuning in for ballroom scores, first responders, hilarious classroom antics, entrepreneurial pitches, or one more emotional trip to Grey Sloan, ABC's fall lineup offers something for nearly every kind of TV fan. And with several heavy hitters still waiting in the wings for midseason, it's safe to say the network isn't showing all of its cards just yet.