It’s not all about the fashion, but it is about the pageantry. And fans won’t have to wait much longer to see who will take home the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA crowns in 2026. Both competitions are returning to The CW for two live nights from Miami, Florida, and this year’s Miss USA competition has an especially big milestone attached to it.
The 2026 Miss USA competition is celebrating its 75th year with a “Diamond Celebration,” while Miss Teen USA will get the first night of the festivities. Yep, fans have two big nights of pageantry to look forward to, and the dates and times are already set.
Here’s what fans need to know about when and how to watch the 2026 Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants.
When Are Miss Teen USA & Miss USA Airing?
They confirmed both broadcasts via the official Miss USA Instagram account in June, with each competition scheduled for a two-hour live broadcast. Both pageants are taking place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, specifically at the Ziff Ballet Opera House..
So, if fans want to watch both competitions as they happen, the schedule is pretty easy to remember:
- Miss Teen USA: Wednesday, August 26 at 8:00pm ET on The CW
- Miss USA: Thursday, August 27 at 8:00pm ET on The CW
Let’s be real, having the two finals on consecutive nights makes this a pretty easy event for pageant fans to plan around.
2026 is a Big Year for Miss USA
GettyThe Miss USA competition is celebrating 75 years in 2026, and the organization is calling it a “Diamond Celebration.”
The event is being billed as “two unforgettable nights celebrating leadership, achievement, and the next generation of changemakers.” The Miss USA account also noted that “102 extraordinary women will take the stage… representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.”
And honestly, the 75th anniversary gives this year’s Miss USA competition an added reason to tune in. The official Arsht Center description calls the August 27 event a landmark edition celebrating the pageant’s 75-year legacy.
There is also plenty happening before the live finals. The contestants are scheduled to take part in a costume presentation and preliminary competitions ahead of the two crowning nights.
A ‘Real Housewife’ & ‘90s Heartthrob Could Make This Even More Fun
The hosts are another reason fans may want to keep an eye on the 2026 competition.
In multiple Instagram posts (like the one seen above), the Miss USA account announced Kenya Moore, Legacy Miss USA and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star, as a host for this year’s celebration.
The account also teased none other than Ian Ziering from the ’90s teen drama “Beverly Hills, 90210” as her co-host. However, that has not been officially confirmed, so fans will want to wait for an official announcement before treating Ziering’s involvement as definite.
It seems like bringing Moore back into the Miss USA world for the 75th anniversary could be a fun way to connect the competition’s history with its current celebration. And with Ziering’s name being teased, there is certainly another familiar face for fans of ’90s television to watch for.
Crowning the Next Miss USA & Miss Teen USA Winners
GettyOf course, the biggest moments of both nights will be the crowning ceremonies.
The outgoing Miss Teen USA, Mailyn Marsh of Missouri, is scheduled to crown the next Miss Teen USA on August 26. The following night, outgoing Miss USA Audrey Eckert of Nebraska will crown the new Miss USA. The Arsht Center’s official event listings confirm both reigning titleholders as part of the crowning moments.
That means fans will get to see both reigning titleholders take their final moments on the Miss USA stage before passing their crowns to the women who will represent the organization next.
Can Fans Attend in Person?
For anyone who would rather watch the pageants from inside the Adrienne Arsht Center, tickets are being offered through the venue.
The official venue page lists tickets for both final events, although availability and pricing can vary. For everyone watching from home, though, the plan is simple. Turn on The CW at 8:00pm ET on Wednesday, August 26 for Miss Teen USA, then come back the following night (at the same time) for the 75th anniversary Miss USA celebration.
Yep, it looks like pageant fans are in for two nights of competition, celebration and new crowns as the Miss USA organization heads into its next chapter.
