Miss USA Preliminary Competition

Miss USA contestants compete in preliminary swimwear and evening gown segments at the Adrienne Arsht Center. The Miss USA Preliminary Competition takes place Tuesday, August 25, at noon, as delegates from all 50 states and the District of Columbia continue toward the 2026 national title. The event gives judges an early look at each contestant’s stage presence, confidence and presentation.

The preliminary competition includes swimwear and evening gown portions, two traditional pageant segments used to evaluate poise, fitness, personal style and comfort before a live audience. Contestants selected through this process advance within the broader Miss USA competition, which determines the representative who will go on to compete at Miss Universe.

Each ticket purchase includes a 3-day, 2-night stay at a participating Westgate Resort, with additional information provided directly to ticket buyers. Guests are asked to be seated at least 10 minutes before showtime. Late arrivals may be held until an appropriate break in the performance, and seating may be reassigned after showtime to accommodate broadcast and camera requirements.