Miss Grand International 2026 will crown its new queen on Saturday, October 10, in Thailand, after the pageant was moved back to its home country from India only weeks before the contestants were due to arrive. The final is reported to take place at Bravo BKK Shopping Center, with the national costume show and preliminary competition on October 7.
Why Miss Grand International 2026 moved from India to Thailand
The 14th edition had been announced for India, with events planned in Jaipur, Agra and New Delhi. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the organization said a host country must provide five-star hospitality and production standards, and that the Indian committee did not meet those commitments. The pageant was shifted to Thailand about two weeks before delegates were expected in India.
Miss Grand International 2026 schedule
The pageant runs from September 18 to October 10 in Thailand. The key competition dates, per the revised schedule:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Swimsuit competition | September 29 |
| Closed-door interviews | October 4 |
| National costume show and preliminary competition | October 7 |
| Final and coronation | October 10 |
One rule worth knowing: the winner of the Miss Popular Vote, decided through voting on the official website, advances automatically to the Top 5, according to Thairath.
Who is the early favorite for Miss Grand International 2026?
Honestly, the field is wide open. Thairath reported contestants from about 80 nations at the September 24 welcome ceremony, though earlier counts were lower, and with the preliminary round still ahead there is no clear front-runner. The reigning titleholder, Emma Tiglao of the Philippines, will crown her successor. Angelica Lopez, the Reina Filipinas, carries the Philippines’ hopes, while Ning Patama Jitsawat represents the host country.
Only Pageants will publish an updated prediction once preliminary results land, and will cover the October 10 final as it happens. For the wider season, see our Asia pageants roundup.