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Everything to Know About Miss USA 2026, Including How to Watch the Pageant
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Miss USA 2026 will take place on Aug. 27, featuring contestants from 50 states and Washington, D.C. Here’s what to know about this year’s 75th anniversary pageant, including how to watch.
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Miss USA will celebrate its 75th Diamond Anniversary on Thursday, Aug. 27. Contestants touched down in Miami in the week leading up to the pageant, representing all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as they prepared to vie for this year’s title. This year’s pageant theme is “75 Years of Icons,” which the Miss USA website says is meant to represent the organization’s legacy as one of the most “recognized and enduring platforms for women in the world. It is a cultural institution woven into the fabric of American entertainment, fashion and media.” “For 75 years, the organization has showcased dynamic, accomplished women who reflect the confidence, diversity and ambition of modern America,” the website reads. This year, over 40 legacy titleholders from around the U.S. are set to take part in the activities leading up to the historic reunion. In addition, the 44th iteration of the Miss Teen USA pageant will also take place throughout the week in Miami. On Aug. 27 at 8 p.m., a new queen will be crowned, taking over from last year’s winner Audrey Eckert, who represented Nebraska at the 2025 pageant.
Where will the 2026 Miss USA pageant be held?
The 75th Annual Miss USA pageant will take place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami. Events will take place inside the Ziff Ballet Opera House, per a release from the Miss USA organization. Additionally, the 44th Miss Teen USA competition will take place throughout the week in the same venue.
When will the 2026 Miss USA pageant take place?
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The Miss USA finals will take place on Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. ET. The Miss Teen USA pageant will take place the day prior at 8 p.m. on Aug. 26.
What events will lead up to the 2026 Miss USA pageant finale?
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While the next Miss USA will be crowned on Aug. 27, there are a few preliminary events that traditionally lead up to the finale.On Monday, Aug. 24, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA will both host their preliminary costume shows, where contestants are expected to dress up in costumes representative of the state they are there to represent. The following day, both pageants will host their preliminary competitions.On Wednesday, Aug. 26, this year’s Miss Teen USA will be crowned. Finally, on Thursday, Aug. 27, Miss USA will be crowned.
How can you watch the 2026 Miss USA pageant?
Though the pageant previously announced that the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants would broadcast live on The CW Network earlier this summer in June, the organization announced on Aug. 20 that it would no longer be broadcast live on The CW because of “a contractual issue” with “production arrangements that could not be resolved within the necessary time frame.”
A spokesperson for The CW Network also confirmed the news to PEOPLE, writing in a statement: “After careful consideration and conversations with the Miss USA Organization, The CW Network has decided to forego next week’s broadcasts of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants.”Instead, the pageant will stream on Queen Beauty Network, where it did last year as well, and will be “available by mobile app, website, Apple TV, and other streaming platforms,” per the Miss USA organization.Last year’s 2025 Miss USA contest marked the first time that the pageant had not been shown live on broadcast TV since 1965. Instead, the pageant streamed on Queen Beauty Network as well.
Who are the hosts for the 2026 Miss USA pageant?
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This year’s 2026 Miss USA pageant hosts are Kenya Moore and Ian Ziering. Moore is a former 1993 Miss USA titleholder who went on to represent the USA at Miss Universe the same year, placing in the top six. She was also a cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She’s also appeared in films including Girlfriends (2004) and I Know Who Killed Me (2007). Ian Ziering played Steve Sanders on the ‘90s teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210, and is also known for his roles in the Sharknado franchise. Together will host the historic 75th Diamond Celebration of Miss USA.
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