![What Time Does Miss USA 2026 Start Tonight? [FOTOS]](http://depor.com/resizer/v2/KMJ7BNOLFBGEROPGQ4VWLGK5ZE.jpg?auth=101bcc5731e9ea6d055bdc4d06117b012adb8f9a6f377b73439bf714b285a951&width=980&height=528&quality=75&smart=true)
Miami takes center stage tonight for one of the most symbolic nights in the recent history of Miss USA. The pageant is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a final that brings together 51 contestants representing the 50 states and Washington, D.C., all hoping to leave the Adrienne Arsht Center with one of the country’s most recognizable crowns.
The competition begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, meaning viewers in Texas, California and other parts of the country will tune in earlier in the evening. But the milestone broadcast comes with an unexpected twist: Miss USA 2026 will not air on The CW as originally planned. Instead, the final will be streamed live on the Queen Beauty Network, returning the pageant to a digital platform for the second consecutive year.
By the end of the night, reigning Miss USA Audrey Eckert of Nebraska will hand over her crown to a new titleholder, closing a year that has taken her from major public appearances to the Miss Universe stage.
What time does Miss USA 2026 start tonight?
The Miss USA 2026 final begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 27.
Because the competition is being held in Miami, viewers elsewhere in the United States will see the show at different local times.
| Time Zone | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Eastern Time | 8 p.m. |
| Central Time | 7 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | 6 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | 5 p.m. |
What time does Miss USA start in California?
Miss USA 2026 begins at 5 p.m. PT in California.
That includes Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento and the rest of the state.
What time does Miss USA start in Florida?
In most of Florida, including Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville, the final begins at 8 p.m. ET.
Viewers in parts of the Florida Panhandle that follow Central Time will see the competition at 7 p.m. CT.
What time does Miss USA start in Texas?
In most of Texas, including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin, Miss USA begins at 7 p.m. CT.
The far western part of Texas follows Mountain Time, where the pageant starts at 6 p.m. MT.
Miss USA 2026 start time in major U.S. cities
| City | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Miami | 8 p.m. |
| New York | 8 p.m. |
| Orlando | 8 p.m. |
| Atlanta | 8 p.m. |
| Washington, D.C. | 8 p.m. |
| Boston | 8 p.m. |
| Houston | 7 p.m. |
| Dallas | 7 p.m. |
| San Antonio | 7 p.m. |
| Austin | 7 p.m. |
| Chicago | 7 p.m. |
| New Orleans | 7 p.m. |
| Denver | 6 p.m. |
| El Paso | 6 p.m. |
| Phoenix | 5 p.m. |
| Los Angeles | 5 p.m. |
| Las Vegas | 5 p.m. |
| San Francisco | 5 p.m. |
| Seattle | 5 p.m. |
What channel is Miss USA 2026 on tonight?
There is an important answer for viewers looking for a traditional TV channel: Miss USA 2026 is not airing on The CW.
The network had originally been announced as the television home of both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. That plan changed less than a week before the national competitions, when unresolved contractual issues prevented the broadcast agreement from moving forward.
As a result, the Miss USA final will be available through Queen Beauty Network, or QBN, rather than a traditional television network.
The change is particularly notable because the organization had publicly announced a new partnership with The CW earlier this year, raising expectations that the pageant would return to national television. Instead, viewers will once again need to watch the competition online.
How to watch Miss USA 2026 live
The official Miss USA broadcast will stream live through Queen Beauty Network.
The platform is available through its website and supported streaming devices, allowing viewers to follow the competition online rather than through a conventional cable or broadcast channel.
The final begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and is scheduled to feature the competition, the announcement of the finalists and the coronation of the new Miss USA.
The official Miss USA organization has also promoted the event as a live worldwide broadcast, with QBN serving as the streaming home for the finals.
Why isn’t Miss USA 2026 airing on The CW?
The decision came as a surprise because The CW had been expected to carry the 2026 editions of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
Days before the competitions, however, the network confirmed that it would no longer air either event. Reports surrounding the decision pointed to unresolved production and contractual issues between the network and the Miss USA Organization.
The change left the pageant without its planned television home and forced the organization to shift the national finals back to Queen Beauty Network.
For Miss USA, the timing could hardly have been more significant. The broadcast change comes during the pageant’s 75th anniversary celebration, a landmark edition designed to look back at the competition’s history while introducing a new generation of contestants.
Where is Miss USA 2026 being held?
The 2026 Miss USA final takes place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida.
The competition is part of a multi-day celebration that also included the 2026 Miss Teen USA pageant and anniversary events recognizing the long history of the Miss USA organization.
At the end of Thursday night’s final, Audrey Eckert will crown the winner, who will become the next woman to represent the United States on the international stage.
Who are the Miss USA 2026 contestants?
This year’s competition features 51 contestants representing all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
The group reflects the increasingly varied backgrounds of women entering national pageants. Among the contestants are nurses, engineers, entrepreneurs, former athletes, military veterans and women whose paths to Miami have been shaped by major personal and professional experiences.
Several contestants have also attracted attention before the final because of the stories behind their journeys.
Amber Uhler, Miss Michigan USA
Amber Uhler arrives in Miami as one of the most widely discussed contestants in this year’s competition. At 41, she is the oldest contestant in the Miss USA 2026 field and has openly shared the personal transformation that brought her to the national stage.
Uhler previously weighed about 300 pounds and lost roughly 170 pounds over several years after making major changes to her health and lifestyle. Her goal of competing at Miss USA, once something she viewed as nearly impossible, eventually became a reality.
Her story has given her one of the most distinctive narratives heading into the final.
Jade Kircus, Miss Georgia USA
Jade Kircus is taking one of the most unconventional paths to the Miss USA stage.
The former U.S. Navy surface warfare officer had never competed in a beauty pageant before entering the Miss USA system. A mother of three, she was selected through an open casting process and has since prepared for the national competition with coaching, interviews and extensive study of the pageant world.
Her military background and unusual route into the competition have made her one of the contestants receiving significant attention before the final.
Kaitlyn Humphrey, Miss Arizona USA
Kaitlyn Humphrey has been part of the pre-pageant conversation surrounding the emotional and psychological preparation required to compete at a national level.
Her approach to the competition, including the use of music and personal routines to stay focused, has helped place her among the contestants highlighted in the days leading up to the Miami final.
Jenna Dykstra, Miss New York USA
Representing one of the country’s most visible state titles, Jenna Dykstra enters Miss USA with considerable attention around her New York delegation.
She has also been featured in coverage exploring how contestants prepare mentally for the intensity and uncertainty of national competition.
Katarina Lengyel, Miss New Jersey USA
Katarina Lengyel is another contestant who has drawn attention in the run-up to the final.
Her preparation has focused not only on the physical side of pageantry but also on managing the pressure and nerves that come with competing on one of the biggest stages in the Miss USA system.
Who are the favorites to win Miss USA 2026?
There is no official ranking of favorites before the final, and the winner will ultimately be determined by the competition and judging process.
Still, several contestants have entered the final with greater public attention because of their personal stories, pageant experience or visibility during the days leading up to the coronation.
Amber Uhler’s history-making appearance as the oldest contestant in the field makes her one of the most talked-about names. Jade Kircus has also drawn attention because of her military career and the fact that Miss USA is her first pageant. Kaitlyn Humphrey, Jenna Dykstra and Katarina Lengyel have likewise received increased visibility through national coverage before the competition.
That does not amount to an official prediction. The final remains open, and Miss USA has a long history of producing winners who were not necessarily the most publicized contestants before the coronation.
California, Florida and Texas contestants enter the spotlight
The representatives from California, Florida and Texas are likely to receive particular attention because of the size and media influence of their home states.
Acacia McBride of California stood out during the state costume presentation with a look inspired by Queen Calafia, a legendary figure associated with the history and mythology behind California’s name.
Texas also brought one of the state’s most recognizable symbols to the costume competition, drawing inspiration from the bluebonnet.
Florida, meanwhile, competes with the additional attention that comes from being the host state. The national final is being held in Miami, placing the local representative in front of a hometown audience during one of the most important weeks of the year for the organization.
Who is hosting Miss USA 2026?
The Miss USA 2026 final is being hosted by Kenya Moore and Ian Ziering.
Moore brings a direct connection to the pageant’s history. She was crowned Miss USA in 1993 and returns for the 75th anniversary as part of a milestone celebration of the competition’s past and present.
Ziering, known for his acting career and his years on Beverly Hills, 90210, joins her as co-host for the live final.
Audrey Eckert will crown the next Miss USA
One of the final moments of the night will belong to Audrey Eckert, the reigning Miss USA from Nebraska.
After a year of representing the organization at major events in the United States and abroad, Eckert will take the stage for the last time as the titleholder and place the crown on her successor.
The coronation will close Miss USA’s 75th anniversary edition and determine the woman who will carry the title into its next chapter.
Miss USA 2026 FAQs
What time does Miss USA 2026 start tonight?
Miss USA 2026 starts at 8 p.m. ET, which is 7 p.m. CT, 6 p.m. MT and 5 p.m. PT.
What time is Miss USA in California?
The pageant starts at 5 p.m. PT in California.
What time is Miss USA in Florida?
In most of Florida, Miss USA begins at 8 p.m. ET.
What time is Miss USA in Texas?
In most of Texas, the pageant starts at 7 p.m. CT. Parts of far western Texas will see the show at 6 p.m. MT.
What channel is Miss USA 2026 on?
Miss USA 2026 is not airing on The CW. The final is streaming through Queen Beauty Network (QBN).
Can I watch Miss USA 2026 live online?
Yes. The pageant is available through the Queen Beauty Network, which is the official streaming home of the 2026 final.
Where is Miss USA 2026 being held?
The final takes place at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, Florida.
How many contestants are competing in Miss USA 2026?
There are 51 contestants, representing the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
