Nineteen candidates are competing for the Miss Universe Cuba 2026 crown on Thursday night, August 20, at the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center in Cutler Bay, Florida. The winner will be named the official representative of Cuba and will succeed outgoing queen Lina Luaces.
The newly crowned queen will represent the island nation at the 75th edition of Miss Universe, scheduled for November 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The international event will take place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot, giving the winner several months to prepare against competitors from around the world.
The crowning ceremony marks the culmination of a selection process that began in April 2026. More than 100 applicants originally entered the competition before organizers narrowed the field through multiple evaluation rounds to the final 19 contestants.
Selection process and pageant format
The 2026 edition of the pageant introduced an independent preliminary gala for the first time, bringing the national competition into alignment with the standard format used by the global Miss Universe organization. The preliminary round took place on Tuesday, August 18.
During the preliminary showcase, judges evaluated candidates across key categories including stage presence, runway technique, swimsuit presentation, and evening gown performance. The scores from those evaluations helped determine which contestants advanced to the final stage on Thursday evening.
The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, located in the town of Cutler Bay south of Miami, serves as the venue for the grand finale. The performing arts complex hosts major cultural gatherings in South Florida's sizable Cuban diaspora community.
Standout candidates and preliminary awards
Several contestants emerged as favorites heading into the final night following notable performances in earlier stages of the pageant. Daniela Reyes, representing the western province of Pinar del Rio, secured an official award during the competition by winning the People's Choice Award through popular voting in the Feather Fantasy contest.
Reyes also attracted significant attention during the Tuesday preliminary showcase. Specialized pageantry publication Miss Cuba Update & News named her Best in Swimsuit, though organizers noted that this title is an independent media selection rather than an official award from Miss Universe Cuba.
Lorena Suarez, representing Region Central, also gained substantial momentum following the preliminary evaluations. Both Suarez and Reyes generated the highest volume of commentary and public interest among followers in the final stretch of the contest. Pageant organizers emphasized that preliminary forecasts do not dictate the ultimate outcome, which remains entirely dependent on the final stage performances.
Crown handover and international stage
Outgoing titleholder Lina Luaces finishes her national reign during the Thursday gala. Luaces was crowned Miss Universe Cuba 2025 and subsequently represented the island at the international Miss Universe competition held in Thailand.
The crowning ceremony in Florida marks a transition for Cuban representation in global pageantry. The winner will inherit the national crown from Luaces on stage and begin immediate preparations for the international final in Puerto Rico.
San Juan's landmark Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot, a premier indoor arena in the Caribbean, will host delegates from scores of nations and territories for the landmark 75th anniversary event in November 2026.
Schedule and broadcast details
The final event schedule began with red carpet arrivals at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, followed by the main stage competition at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Organizers scheduled live updates of the results and final placements throughout the ceremony.
Viewers in the United States can watch the live television broadcast on Mega TV. An international digital stream is also available through the official Miss Universe Cuba channel on YouTube.
The online YouTube broadcast allows audience members to follow the crowning gala live across personal computers, mobile devices, tablets, and Smart TVs. Official final results, including the winner and final placements, will be confirmed upon announcement by pageant officials.
