The Miss Universe Ecuador 2026 final gala began on Saturday, August 15, at the Plazoleta Vicente Rocafuerte in Santa Elena to select Ecuador's representative.
Fifteen finalists advanced during the opening stage of the national competition, which determines who will represent the South American country at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico.
Organisers constructed a stage of approximately 180 square meters featuring more than 100 square meters of LED screens for the event. The venue in Santa Elena has capacity for about 2,000 spectators.
The evening opened at 7:32 p.m. local time with a performance by the San Rafael dance group from the José Luis Tamayo parish. Reigning queen Nadia Mejía entered the stage at 7:45 p.m. to the song Instruction by Demi Lovato and Jax Jones. The contestants then appeared individually to introduce themselves to the audience.
Candidates returned to the stage at 8:02 p.m. to receive preliminary designations and special awards based on sponsor categories and performance.
Dalia Bucaram, representing Guayaquil, secured three titles during the early awards presentation, winning Miss Cielo, Best Skin, and Medisbeltic Silhouette. Margreth Santillán of Esmeraldas received two awards, taking Best Hair and Best Smile.
Samara Montero of Región Costa won both Belezza Beauty and Miss Wellderma. Mayerly Borja of Carchi earned Miss Friendship, Nubia Sandoval of Pastaza received Best Social Project, and Katiushka Cobo of Quito DM was named Miss Medicity.
Top 15 Finalists Selected
At 8:15 p.m., the ceremony continued with the announcement of the 15 finalists moving forward in the contest.
The selected contestants are Ana Galarza of Tungurahua, Natalia Arízaga of Azuay, Samara Montero of Región Costa, Mayerly Borja of Carchi, Brianna Tapia of Comunidad USA, Katiushka Cobo of Quito DM, Ana Cristina Larrea of Región Central, and Paola Vergara of El Oro.
Also advancing to the final 15 are Francesca Piza of Portoviejo, Shyare Andrade of Manabí, Margreth Santillán of Esmeraldas, Dagmar Prieto of Los Ríos, Dalia Bucaram of Guayaquil, Valentina Brito of Galápagos, and Martha Guerrero of Guayas.
Crown Design and Ceremony Guests
The winner will be presented with the official crown named My Universe, created by Mexican designer Ricardo Patraca. The crown features Austrian crystals, crystal pearls, and 24-karat gold plating.
Television presenter Eduardo Andrade hosted the ceremony. Singer Gerardo Mejía was scheduled to perform a special musical set created for the gala.
Miss Universe 2025 Fátima Bosch attended the event to place the official sash on the new winner, while Nadia Mejía prepares to hand over the crown to her successor at the conclusion of the broadcast.
Miss Universe is an international beauty pageant held annually to select a global titleholder among national representatives. Santa Elena, a coastal city and province in western Ecuador, hosted this year's national final ahead of the international competition in Puerto Rico.
