You're sitting there, scrolling, trying to figure out exactly when the world’s most famous crown changes hands. Honestly, it’s always a bit of a headache with the time zones. One minute you’re reading it’s on a Saturday, the next you realize that because the pageant is halfway across the globe, you’ve actually already missed the national costume segment.
Getting the Miss Universe what time details right is the difference between seeing the crowning live and seeing it spoiled by a stray Instagram notification.
We just came off a wild 2025 cycle in Thailand where Mexico's Fátima Bosch took the title. But looking ahead to the 75th Anniversary in 2026, things are shifting back to the Western Hemisphere. The Miss Universe Organization has already confirmed that the "Diamond Jubilee" will be hosted in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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When does the 2026 show actually start?
Since the 2026 pageant is returning to Puerto Rico, US viewers can finally breathe a sigh of relief. No more waking up at 4 a.m. to catch a livestream from Southeast Asia. While the exact November 2026 dates are being finalized by the MUO and Governor Jenniffer González-Colón, the broadcast window almost always follows a specific pattern.
Typically, the grand finale airs at 8:00 PM ET.
For those of you on the West Coast, that’s 5:00 PM PT. If you're watching from Manila or Bangkok, you're looking at a Monday morning viewing party. Puerto Rico operates on Atlantic Standard Time (AST), which, for much of the year, aligns closely with Eastern Time. This means the live energy in the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot will match your prime-time snacks perfectly.
Miss Universe what time: Don't forget the Prelims
Most people only care about the final night. Big mistake.
The Preliminary Competition and the National Costume Show are where the real chaos and creativity happen. These usually take place two to three days before the coronation night. In the 2025 Thailand edition, these events started at 7:00 PM local time.
If the 2026 schedule holds true to form, you should expect:
- National Costume Show: 7:00 PM AST (mid-week)
- Preliminary Competition: 7:00 PM AST (typically 48 hours before finals)
- Grand Finale: 8:00 PM AST / ET
Where to watch without the lag
Telemundo remains the heavy hitter for the Spanish-language broadcast. They've had the rights forever, and they usually do a massive pre-show an hour before the actual start time. For English speakers, the streaming situation has been a bit of a moving target lately.
We've seen it move from FOX to Roku, and most recently, streaming on Peacock has been the go-to for US audiences.
If you are outside the US, the official Miss Universe YouTube channel often livestreams the preliminaries, but they usually geo-block the finals if a local TV station in your country has bought the rights. In the Philippines, for example, ABS-CBN and their digital platforms like iWantTFC usually handle the "Miss Universe what time" scramble for local fans.
Why the schedule sometimes shifts
Pageants are live TV. Live TV is messy.
In 2025, there was a whole lot of drama behind the scenes in Thailand involving executive director Nawat Itsaragrisil and certain delegates. When things get heated backstage, or if a musical guest like Jeff Satur or Robin Thicke runs long, those "start times" become suggestions.
Also, keep an eye on the "People's Choice" voting. The polls usually close right as the broadcast begins. If you’re trying to save your favorite delegate from elimination, you need to have your votes in before that 8:00 PM ET cutoff. Once the music starts, the Top 30 is usually already locked in based on the preliminary scores and that fan vote.
Actionable steps for the next pageant
Stop guessing and start preparing so you don't miss the 75th anniversary:
- Download the Miss Universe App: It’s the only place for official, real-time alerts. They’ll push a notification the second the red carpet starts.
- Check the Time Zone Offset: Use a tool like World Time Buddy. Compare "San Juan, Puerto Rico" to your local city about a week before the show.
- Secure your Stream: If you’re using Peacock or a cable login like Telemundo, log in 20 minutes early. There’s nothing worse than an expired password when the opening numbers begin.
- Follow the National Directors: Often, the official MUO accounts are slow to post. Follow the local directors (like the Miss USA or Miss Philippines accounts) for "boots on the ground" timing updates.
The 2026 Diamond Jubilee in Puerto Rico is going to be massive. It's the 75th year, and the production value is expected to be through the roof. Mark your calendars for November, keep your chargers handy, and make sure you've cleared your evening—or morning, depending on where you're standing.