Miss America 2026
98th edition of the Miss America competition
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Miss America 2026 was the 98th Miss America pageant, held inside the Walt Disney Theater, located at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida, alongside the Miss America's Teen 2026 competition on September 6 and 7, 2025, respectively. This was the first time since 2018 that it returned to its traditional September schedule.[1]
| Miss America 2026 | |
|---|---|
Cassie Donegan | |
| Date | September 7, 2025 |
| Presenters |
|
| Venue | Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, Florida |
| Broadcaster | Miss America Website[a] |
| Entrants | 52 |
| Placements | 11 |
| Winner | Cassie Donegan New York |
Abbie Stockard of Alabama crowned Cassie Donegan of New York as her successor at the end of the event.[2]
Background
Whosoever competes at this and all Miss America pageants shall be between age 18 and 28.[3]
Results
Awards
Preliminary Awards
| Award | Contestants |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Evening Gown |
|
| Preliminary Talent | |
| Preliminary Fitness |
Quality of Life
| Awards | Contestants |
|---|---|
| Winner | Florida – Paris Richardson |
| 1st Runner-Up | South Carolina – Sarah Kay Wrenn |
| 2nd Runner-Up | Alabama – Emma Terry |
| Finalists | New York – Cassie Donegan |
| Mississippi – Anna Leah Jolly | |
| Rhode Island – Alexia Rodrigues | |
| Michigan – Hannah Palmer |
AHA Go Red for Women Leadership Award
| Results | Contestants |
|---|---|
| Winner | South Carolina – Sarah Kay Wrenn |
| Regional | New York – Cassie Donegan |
| New Hampshire – Xanthi Russell | |
| Illinois – Nitsaniyah Fitch | |
| Missouri – Courtney Rowe | |
| Oregon – Mya Cash | |
| Alabama – Emma Terry |
"Show Us Your Shoes" Award
Contestants
- Declared as winner
- Ended as a runner-up
- Ended as a semi-finalist
| State/District | Contestant | Age | Hometown | Placement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Emma Terry | 22 | Hoover | 4th runner-up | 1st runner-up at Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2020, later assumed title after Marcelle LeBlanc won Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2022 |
| Alaska | Suparat Prasannet | 27 | Lake Hood | ||
| Arizona | Tiffany Ellington | 25 | Peoria | ||
| Arkansas | Kennedy Holland | 21 | Metro | Top 11 | |
| California | Rachel Axt | 24 | Clovis | 2021 National American Miss California | |
| Colorado | Gabby Gramont | 22 | Fort Collins | ||
| Connecticut | Cayla Kumar | 22 | Hamden | Previously Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2018 | |
| Delaware | Hailey Mack | 19 | Ocean View | ||
| District of Columbia | Katie Wadman | 24 | Logan Circle | Previously Miss Iowa USA 2021 | |
| Florida | Paris Richardson | 23 | Gainesville | 2nd runner-up | |
| Georgia | Audrey Kittila | 22 | Atlanta | 3rd runner-up | |
| Hawaii | Emalia Dalire | 19 | Kane'ohe | Previously Miss Hawaii Teen Volunteer 2024 | |
| Idaho | Ellie Daniels | 18 | Bonneville | ||
| Illinois | Nitsaniyah Fitch | 26 | Windy City | Top 11 | |
| Indiana | Kinley Shoemaker | 20 | Metropolitan | Previously Miss Indiana Teen USA 2023 | |
| Iowa | Lydia Fisher | 22 | Tanglewood | Previously Miss Iowas's Outstanding Teen 2017 | |
| Kansas | Emily Rugg | 26 | Meadowlark | ||
| Kentucky | Ariana Rodriguez | 20 | Bardstown | Top 11 | |
| Louisiana | Gabrelle McLeod | 21 | Cane River | ||
| Maine | Paige Lessard | 24 | York County | USA National Miss Maine Teen 2019
2021 National Elite Miss | |
| Maryland | Maria Derisavi | 22 | St. Mary's County | Top 11 | Previously Miss Maryland Teen USA 2021 |
| Massachusetts | Khailah Griffin | 26 | Cambridge | ||
| Michigan | Hannah Palmer | 24 | Spirit of the State | ||
| Minnesota | Emma Vrieze | 20 | Glacial Waters | ||
| Mississippi | Anna Leah Jolly | 23 | Capital City | Top 11 | |
| Missouri | Courtney Rowe | 23 | Kansas City | ||
| Montana | Haley Tate | 25 | Missoula | ||
| Nebraska | Makinzie Gergory | 25 | Old West Balloon Fest | ||
| Nevada | Abigail Bachman | 27 | Henderson | Miss Nevada Volunteer 2024 | |
| New Hampshire | Xanthi Russell | 23 | Lilac State | ||
| New Jersey | Belle Nicholas | 27 | Seashore Line | ||
| New Mexico | Madyson Kettler | TBD | Corrales | ||
| New York | Cassie Donegan | 27 | Manhattan | Winner | Originally first runner-up, but assumed the title after original winner Mina Liang resigned the title three days after she was crowned Previously Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2013 |
| North Carolina | Sophia Kellstrom | 26 | Davidson County | ||
| North Dakota | Kennedy Delap | 24 | Central Dakota | ||
| Ohio | Olivia Fosson | 24 | Ohio River | ||
| Oklahoma | Tessa Dorrell | 22 | Broken Arrow | ||
| Oregon | Mya Cash | 23 | Lane County | ||
| Pennsylvania | Victoria Vespico | 25 | Northeastern Pennsylvania | ||
| Puerto Rico | Diann Reyes-Basilio | 20 | San Juan | ||
| Rhode Island | Alexia Rodrigues | 25 | Warwick | ||
| South Carolina | Sarah Wrenn | 24 | Lake Murray | Previously Top 10 at Miss South Carolina 2024 as Miss Greenville County, Top 10 at Miss South Carolina 2023 as Miss Capital City, and 3rd Runner-Up at Miss South Carolina 2022 as Miss Greenville County; also previously Top 10 at Miss South Carolina Teen 2017 as Miss Greater Easley Teen and Top 10 at Miss South Carolina Teen 2018 as Miss Spartanburg Teen | |
| South Dakota | Jamee Katner | 21 | Siouxland | ||
| Tennessee | Zoe Scheiderich | 22 | Music City | Top 11 | |
| Texas | Sadie Schiermeyer | 22 | Richardson | 1st runner-up | Mother Arian Archer was previously Miss Texas 1994. First legacy to hold the state crown. |
| Utah | Jordyn Bristol | 26 | Timpanogos | ||
| Vermont | Sophia Parker | 26 | Addison County | ||
| Virginia | Madison Whitbeck | 20 | Arlington | ||
| Washington | Amber Pike | 24 | Snohomish | ||
| West Virginia | Courtney Bearer | 23 | Morgantown | ||
| Wisconsin | Willow Newell | 22 | Racine | The first Black woman to win the title of Miss Wisconsin. | |
| Wyoming | Anna-Claire Musick | 27 | Cheyenne |
Notes
- On behalf of Pageant Vision streaming website