Miss USA 2026 brings together 51 contestants—one representative from each U.S. state and the District of Columbia—for the pageant’s 75th annual competition this Thursday, August 27 at the Adrienne Arsht Centerfor the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida. For viewers across the United States and around the world, the event offers a chance to follow candidates from their home states, support favorites through official fan voting, and keep up with one of the country’s best-known national pageants.
The official Miss USA website says the 2026 competition is scheduled for August 24–27 in Miami. The organization’s Fan Favorite voting platform identifies 51 contestants, covering the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Without, further ado, meet the 51 Miss USA 2926 contestants who will compete for Audrey Eckert’s crown and represent the US in the Miss Universe 2026 pagean this Tuesdat, November 24 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
MISS USA celebrates the 75th Annual competition taking place August 24-27 in Miami, Florida. Legacy titleholders from around the United States will take part in historic reunion activities and the ultimate celebration on Tuesday, August 25 aboard the Seafair yacht. | Photo by thenextmissusa.com
List of State Representatives for the Miss USA 2026
Miss USA’s official People’s Choice page identifies a field of 51 contestants, representing every U.S. state and the District of Columbia; it does not list Puerto Rico as part of this specific contestant field.
| State / District | State Representative |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Samantha Havenstrite |
| Alaska | Holly Huber |
| Arizona | Kaitlyn Humphrey |
| Arkansas | Anna Claire Hay |
| California | Acacia McBride |
| Colorado | Jordyn Owen |
| Connecticut | Jaeden Hamelly |
| Delaware | Julia Hatoum |
| District of Columbia | Kennedy JoAnn Lucas |
| Florida | Aileen Cerchiara |
| Georgia | Jade Kircus |
| Hawaii | Darja Bassut |
| Idaho | Katie Tetreault |
| Illinois | Vivica Lewandowski |
| Indiana | Eniola Oke |
| Iowa | Madeline Erickson |
| Kansas | Madilynn Becker |
| Kentucky | Brijet Finister |
| Louisiana | Ella Clark |
| Maine | Mykala Green |
| Maryland | Holly Plank |
| Massachusetts | Kayshauna Montaño |
| Michigan | Amber Uhler |
| Minnesota | Rachel Betterley |
| Mississippi | Victoria Cantu |
| Missouri | Madison Beck |
| Montana | Lisbeth Fernandez |
| Nebraska | Emily Lenser |
| Nevada | Natalie Bode |
| New Hampshire | Samantha LaBonne |
| New Jersey | Katarina Lengyel |
| New Mexico | Cara Rgnonti |
| New York | Jenna Dykstra |
| North Carolina | Brittany Boltinhouse |
| North Dakota | Sophia Richards |
| Ohio | Kayelin L Tiggs |
| Oklahoma | Annamaria Thomas |
| Oregon | Claire Wildey |
| Pennsylvania | Elizabeth Voight |
| Rhode Island | Victoria Cuartas |
| South Carolina | Victoria Vesce |
| South Dakota | Lexus Paulson |
| Tennessee | Sydney Grace Young |
| Texas | Alexis Fuetsch |
| Utah | Alayzia Christopher |
| Vermont | Katherine McQuade |
| Virginia | Justus Kelley |
| Washington | Ellise Kakazu |
| West Virginia | Alanna Lynch |
| Wisconsin | Olivia Lulich |
| Wyoming | Melanie San Roman |
Official voting details for the Miss USA 2026
Fans can support their preferred state representative through the official Miss USA Fan Favorite platform. The vote is part of the competition pathway: three contestants will advance directly into the Top 20 based on fan support.
Voting is open to anyone; voters do not need to know a contestant personally or have any prior connection to the pageant. Each person can cast one free vote per day while the voting window remains open.
According to the official Fan Favorite page, the voting process is divided into two rounds:
- Round One: Closes August 9 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
- Final Round: Closes August 23 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
- Announcement: The Fan Favorite winners are announced after the final standings have been verified.
For Latino audiences in the U.S., the timing is especially important: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time is 10:59 p.m. Central Time, 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time, and 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
To vote, visit the official Miss USA Fan Favorite platform, locate the contestant representing your state, and submit the daily free vote. Use only the official voting website and avoid unofficial pages that claim to offer extra votes, rankings, or guaranteed placements. The Miss USA rules for its related Open Casting platform also state that any paid votes are final and non-refundable, while free voting is limited to one vote every 24 hours after verification under the applicable rules.
Audrey Eckert, 23, was crowned Miss USA in October 2025. A social media and marketing coordinator from Nebraska, Audrey is a global cheer coach and founder of the Digital Safety Ambassador Program, which empowers over 500 youth weekly to navigate social media with confidence and purpose. Through her work with a human-rights-driven fashion brand, Audrey partners with Thai artisans to use fashion as a bridge for global good. She previously placed 3rd Runner Up at Miss Teen USA 2020. | Photo by thenextmissusa.com
Miss USA 2026 FAQ
When is Miss USA 2026?
Miss USA 2026 is scheduled for August 24 through August 27, 2026, in Miami, Florida, according to the pageant’s official website.
How many contestants are competing at Miss USA 2026?
There are 51 contestants: one from every U.S. state plus the District of Columbia.
Is Puerto Rico competing in Miss USA 2026?
The official Miss USA Fan Favorite page describes the field as 51 contestants from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Based on that official description, Puerto Rico is not listed among the Miss USA 2026 representatives.
Can I vote for Miss USA 2026 contestants from anywhere in the United States?
Yes. The official voting page states that anyone can vote and that voters do not need a personal connection to a contestant. The available official information does not specify a state-by-state voting restriction for U.S. residents.
Is Miss USA 2026 voting free?
Yes. The Fan Favorite platform says every fan receives one free vote per day for as long as voting is open.
What does the Fan Favorite vote do?
Fan Favorite voting has a direct competition benefit: three contestants will advance straight into the Miss USA 2026 Top 20 based on the fans’ choices.
What is the deadline to vote?
Round One closed on August 9 at 11:59 p.m. ET, while the final voting round closed on August 23 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Where will Miss USA 2026 take place?
The 75th annual Miss USA competition will take place at the Adrienne Arsht Centerfor the Performing Arts in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
