Miss Italy 2026

Miss Italy, known as Miss Italia, is one of Italy's longest-running and most culturally significant national competitions, with roots stretching back to 1939. Organised by Miss Italia Srl and broadcast on RAI, the national television broadcaster, the competition attracts millions of viewers annually and is a fixture of the Italian autumn television calendar. The pageant follows a regional structure, with candidates selected through local and regional heats held across Italy during the summer months before the national final is staged in September. Miss Italia is celebrated for producing winners who go on to careers in fashion, television, cinema, and humanitarian work. The competition places strong emphasis on natural beauty, personality, and Italian cultural values, and has adapted over the decades to reflect changing social attitudes. Titleholders represent Italy at international competitions and carry a responsibility to be credible ambassadors for Italian culture, elegance, and contemporary womanhood.

Candidates apply through regional selections held across Italy from spring onwards. Applications are accepted on the Miss Italia website and through regional partners. Eligible candidates must be Italian nationals aged 18 to 30. The process includes local heats, regional finals, and the televised national final.

Miss Italia was founded in 1939 by Dino Villani as a promotional campaign for a cosmetics brand. It rapidly grew into a national institution. The competition has been broadcast on RAI for decades and has launched the careers of some of Italy's most prominent actresses and television personalities. The competition has navigated changing cultural attitudes toward beauty pageants while maintaining its status as Italy's premier national title.