Can a beauty pageant survive such intense political and legal turmoil?

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 75th Miss Universe pageant faces a storm of controversies, from government funding disputes to criminal investigations. As organizers navigate legal battles and franchise withdrawals, the world watches to see if this historic milestone in San Juan can proceed without losing its luster.

San Juan, Puerto Rico's José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum will host the 75th Miss Universe pageant on 24 November 2026. This marks the fourth time the territory has hosted the event, following previous iterations in 1972, 2001, and 2002. To facilitate the event, Puerto Rico's governor, Jenniffer González-Colón, agreed to allocate $9 million in public funds through the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and Discover Puerto Rico.

However, the path to the coronation has been fraught with tension. In December, Willianette Robles Cancel, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, suspended disbursements due to irregularities in the previous edition's outcome and a criminal investigation by the Mexican government into Miss Universe president Raúl Rocha involving charges of drug, fuel, and arms trafficking. To protect the territory's image, an agreement reached by March 2026 required Rocha to withdraw from organizing the event.

The organization also faces significant structural challenges. Several franchise holders have stepped away, including Miss France, which withdrew on 28 May 2026 due to previous controversies. Additionally, a legal dispute has emerged in Southeast Asia; the JKN Global Group has denied the validity of franchise agreements held by Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil for six countries, including Thailand and Malaysia. Despite this, some disputed delegates, such as Thailand's Tharina Botes and Malaysia's Eunice Wong, still plan to compete.

Despite these hurdles, the 2026 edition promises historical significance. Malawi, Uganda, the Republic of the Congo, and the Collectivity of Saint Martin will all make their first appearances. Furthermore, for the first time, the coronation of Miss Universe will occur within hours of the Miss International 2026 finals.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The 1994 Miss Universe pageant in Manila was a complex mix of glamour and controversy.
• The 2022 Miss Universe pageant broke a 68-year television tradition
• From a California swimwear promotion to a global stage, the evolution of Miss Universe.
• Miss Universe 2024 breaks records for diversity and participation
• Why the Most Expensive Mission: Impossible Film Became a Box Office Disappointment
• The cataclysmic floods that carved the American Northwest were once considered a scientific heresy
• How a specialized marksman rifle bridged the gap between infantry carbines and sniper systems
• India breaks a twenty-one year drought to claim the Miss Universe title
• From satire to history, how Mo Rocca built a career on curiosity
• From Purim tradition to international scandal: the turbulent evolution of the Miss Israel pageant
• How Disney’s Moana evolved from a demigod’s solo journey to a story of self-discovery
• The evolution of pageantry from aesthetics to global advocacy

More in Festivals & celebrations · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics