Miss Universe 2026 to be held in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico will be hosting the 75th Miss Universe pageant next year.

During the final competition in Bangkok on Nov. 21, Miss Universe President Raul Rocha Cantu announced that the organization aims to achieve a record-breaking number of delegates for the 2026 pageant.

"Next year we will be celebrating our 75th diamond anniversary, at which we will aim to break the record for the highest number of participants in history," he said in the video. "We hope it will be an unforgettable edition in a paradisiacal country, which we invite you to get to know."

Meanwhile, Puerto Rican host Dayanara Torres said that she is excited that the pageant will be held in her home country.

"This is an amazing opportunity for the world to experience our culture, our music, our food, our traditions, our unique spirit that talks about us people. Hosting the Miss Universe for the third time will boost our tourism, support our local business and showcase that makes everything Puerto Rico unforgettable. I couldn't be prouder for the Miss Universe family to be back to our island," she said.

"It's amazing, you have no idea," she told co-host Miss Universe 2022 R'bonney Gabriel. "I get goosebumps just looking at the video of Puerto Rico."

When Gabriel confessed she had never been to Puerto Rico, Torres responded enthusiastically, assuring her she will take her around.

"So much to do, so much to show you. But I must tell you, everybody that goes to Puerto Rico falls in love and they don't want to leave. But that's okay, you will be a Boricua at heart, just like the Philippines adopted me as a Pinay by heart," Torres said.

The 74th edition of the Miss Universe pageant is taking place on Nov. 21 in Bangkok, Thailand.