Miss Universe is making a highly anticipated return to Mexico for its 73rd edition.
After 17 years, the country will once again host the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant, bringing together the brightest and most beautiful women from across the globe.
With 130 nations competing for the coveted title, Miss Universe 2024 promises to be a celebration of diversity, culture, and empowerment.
From the inspiring journeys of the contestants to the crowning moment, this year's pageant is set to be an unforgettable experience for fans worldwide.
Here’s everything you need to know about the much-awaited event, from the schedule to how fans can participate and watch.
Read: Netizens react to Miss Universe 2024 “Vote for Change” poster
SETTING AND SCHEDULE
On November 18, 2023, Raúl Rocha Cantú, owner of Legacy Holding Group USA Inc., announced at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant that the 73rd edition of Miss Universe will be held in Mexico.
Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua will crown her successor on November 16, 2024, at the Mexico City Arena (Arena CDMX).
Preliminary rounds will be held on November 14.
For the first time since 2007, Mexico is set to host the world's most esteemed beauty pageant, bringing together delegates from 130 countries in a grand display of elegance and talent.
The competition will be split into two phases: the preliminary phase featuring swimsuit and national attire segments, and the final phase, which is the crowning of Miss Universe 2024.
This year’s event is poised to be a celebration of women’s empowerment, unity, and cultural diversity on a global scale.
Read: Grandmother, 80, joins Miss Universe South Korea 2024
HOW TO VOTE AND PARTICIPATE
Fans worldwide can now participate in the Miss Universe 2024 journey through the voting process.
The official administrators JKN Universe LLC and Choicely Oy will offer multiple voting opportunities, including selecting a candidate for the semi-finals and voting for the Best Costume competition.
The voting will follow designated rules and procedures, with more opportunities expected to be introduced throughout the pageant period.
Eligibility:
Voting is open to anyone 14 years or older worldwide, except in territories subject to trade sanctions by the United States or the United Nations, or other restricted regions, where voting will not be permitted.
Voting Period:
The Global Vote will begin on November 14, and close at 12:00 P.M. EST on November 16.
Local pageant fans should mark their calendars and make sure to cast their votes before 12:00 a.m. of November 17, Philippine time.
The voting period for the Best Costume competition will be announced separately.
Mechanics:
To vote, download the Miss Universe app, where you can cast one free vote per contest by selecting the yellow star.
Additional votes can be made by selecting the green or gold stars, with packages available for purchase.
The contestant with the most votes will secure a place in the semi-finals.
Voting must comply with all rules to be counted, and any attempts to manipulate the process may result in disqualification.
MISS UNIVERSE 2024: TICKET PRICES
Tickets for Miss Universe 2024 can be purchased via the official Miss Universe ticket-selling platform, TicketApp.
The following ticket categories are available, with prices converted into Philippine pesos (PHP) based on current exchange rates (USD 1 = PHP 56.65 as of September 2024):
- General Bronze: USD 185.59 (PHP10,514)
- General Silver: USD 229.41 (PHP12,996)
- General VIP: USD 347.06 (PHP19,662)
- Special Gold 1: USD 523.53 (PHP29,670)
- VIP Elegance: USD 2,050 (PHP116,120)
- VIP Diamond/Luxury: USD 2,323.53 (PHP131,621)
Miss Universe Philippines has also announced a special 20% discount for fans using the code PHILIPPINES20 for both Preliminary and Grand Finals tickets.
DELEGATES
This year's Miss Universe pageant is set to welcome a record-breaking number of participants, with candidates from 130 countries and territories.
Notably, several countries will make their debut, including Belarus, Eritrea, Guinea, Iran, Macau, Maldives, Mayotte, Moldova, North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan.
The decision to remove age, height, and weight restrictions—first implemented in 2023—marks a historic shift in the pageant’s inclusivity.
Women over 18 are now able to compete without limitations, opening doors for a broader and more diverse representation of beauty on the global stage.
Representing the Philippines this year is Chelsea Manalo, who makes history as the country's first delegate of African descent.
Replacements:
A few notable changes in delegates have occurred.
Franki Russell was initially appointed to represent New Zealand, but was replaced after the original franchise withdrew.
Andrea Radford of Guatemala stepped down after becoming pregnant and was succeeded by her runner-up.
Similarly, Irans’s Fay Asghari, the ex-sister in law of Britney Spears, also withdrew, with Ava Vahneshan stepping in as her replacement.
Read: Franki Russell will no longer compete in Miss Universe 2024
MISS UNIVERSE 2024: COMPETITION FORMAT
This year’s pageant will see an expanded number of semifinalists—30 in total—the highest in Miss Universe history.
The semi-finalists will be selected through the preliminary competition, which includes swimsuit and evening gown presentations, as well as closed-door interviews.
From this pool, 12 will advance to the swimsuit competition, and 5 will proceed to the question-and-answer round.
In addition to the titleholder and four runners-up, four continental queens will also be crowned, representing the top contestants from different regions of the world.
WHERE TO WATCH MISS UNIVERSE 2024
The 73rd "Miss Universe" event is scheduled to both air and stream live on a variety of ABS-CBN platforms such as A2Z Channel 11, Kapamilya Channel, Metro Channel, and iWantTFC, kicking off on November 17, 2024, Sunday, at 9 a.m.
Pageant fans can catch repeat broadcasts on the same day at 8:30 PM on A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, Metro Channel, and iWantTFC.
Metro Channel will also offer additional replays on November 18 at 7:30 PM, and November 23 at 8:30 AM.
MISS UNIVERSE 2024 JUDGES
The selection committee for the Miss Universe 2024 pageant has been announced, featuring an impressive lineup of judges from diverse backgrounds.
The panel includes Dubai-based fashion designer Michael Cinco, who is now the 11th Filipino personality to have been invited as a judge in Miss Universe history.
Joining him is Cuban philanthropist and entrepreneur Dr. Camila Guiribitey, alongside Latin musician and music producer Emilio Estefan, also hailing from Cuba.
The panel further includes Austrian fashion designer and Miss Universe 1977 1st Runner-up, Eva Cavalli, and Colombian actress and singer Fariana.
Mexican fashion designer Gabriela Gonzalez, Lebanese-Dominican art collector Gary Nader, and Italian entrepreneur and internet star Gianluca Vacchi, who also presides as the President of SEA Societa Europea Autocaravan, enhance the committee's prestige.
Additional expertise is brought by Mexican Telemundo news reporter Jessica Carrillo, Venezuelan-American singer, actress, and YouTube personality Lele Pons, and journalist and former Miss Universe 1978, Margaret Gardiner from South Africa.
Advocate and Miss Universe Canada 2020, Nova Stevens, also lends her perspective, while Brazilian artist and sculptor Romero Britto completes this diverse and distinguished panel for the year's competition.
Stay tuned for more information regarding hosts, judges, activites, awards, and prizes.