Miss Universe 2026

Miss Universe is the world's most-watched and most-entered beauty pageant, reaching over 500 million viewers across more than 160 countries each year. Founded in 1952 by swimwear brand Catalina, the pageant was acquired by Donald Trump in 1996 and later sold to WME-IMG in 2015. In 2022, Thai businesswoman Anne Jakrajutatip purchased the organisation, ushering in a new era of inclusivity, expanded age limits, and a sharper focus on advocacy and leadership. Contestants are selected through national franchises in more than 90 countries and compete through a series of preliminary events, interviews, and a televised finale that includes evening gown, swimsuit, and on-stage question rounds. The 2026 edition marks the 75th anniversary, hosted in Puerto Rico, a nation with one of the pageant's most celebrated records. Titleholders serve a year-long reign as global ambassadors for causes including health, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. Miss Universe is widely considered the pinnacle of international pageantry.

Contestants do not apply directly to Miss Universe International. Each country operates an independent national franchise that selects its representative through local competitions. To compete, search for your country's official Miss Universe national organisation and register through their process. Requirements typically include age eligibility (18 to 28 as of pageant date), citizenship or permanent residency, and never having been married or pregnant. Some national organisations charge an application or registration fee. Shortlisted candidates attend national finals, and the winner earns the right to represent their country at the international Miss Universe competition.

Miss Universe was founded in 1952 in Long Beach, California, after Catalina Swimwear sponsored the event following a dispute with Miss America. The pageant quickly became a global phenomenon, with contestants from across Europe, Latin America, and Asia joining from its earliest years. Sweden's Margareta Arvidsson won the inaugural 1952 crown. The pageant has since crowned winners from over 30 countries, with the United States, Venezuela, and the Philippines among the most decorated nations.