Everything You Need to Know About the Miss Connecticut USA® & Miss Connecticut Teen USA® 2026 Competition

If competing on a nationally recognized stage has been a dream of yours, the Miss Connecticut USA® and Miss Connecticut Teen USA® pageant may be your next step. The 2026 competition weekend is officially set, and applications are now open.

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming state competition, how it works, and how to get involved.

Competition Dates

The Miss Connecticut USA® and Miss Connecticut Teen USA® 2026 Competition will take place:

May 23–24, 2026

What’s at Stake

The winner of Miss Connecticut USA® will advance to the nationally televised Miss USA® competition. The winner of Miss Connecticut Teen USA® will advance to the Miss Teen USA® competition.

Both titles offer an incredible opportunity for personal growth, leadership development, and national visibility.

Host City & Venue

The 2026 competition will be held in:

Windsor, ConnecticutMarriott Hartford Windsor Airport

Judging Criteria & Scoring

Contestants are evaluated during the preliminary competition using the following scoring breakdown:

• 50% Interview

• 25% Fitness

• 25% Evening Gown

At the conclusion of preliminaries, scores are totaled and the contestants with the highest composite scores advance to the semi-finals.

During the semi-finals, contestants compete on stage in:

• Athletic wear or swimsuit

• Evening gown

From there, a Top 5 is selected using the same scoring methodology. Each finalist is asked an on-stage question by the host, after which the judges determine the final placements:

• Winner

• 1st Runner-Up

• 2nd Runner-Up

• 3rd Runner-Up

• 4th Runner-Up

Become a Contestant

Miss Connecticut USA® and Miss Connecticut Teen USA® are now accepting applications.These competitions serve as the official state preliminaries to Miss USA® and Miss Teen USA®.

If you have ever considered competing, this is the perfect time to take that step.

👉 Apply here:https://www.missconnecticutusa.com/apply

Miss USA® Qualifications

Effective beginning with the 2024 Miss USA® competition and state preliminary competitions:

• Women who are or have been married are eligible to compete.

• Women who are pregnant or have children are eligible to compete.

• There is no age limit to compete in the Miss division.

Additional requirements include:

• Must be 18 years of age by January 1 of the national pageant year.

• Must be a United States citizen through the state and national competition.

• Must be medically and legally recognized as female in the United States.

• Must meet residency, employment, or student eligibility requirements within the state.

• Must never have participated in a previous national Miss USA® competition.

Miss Teen USA® Qualifications

To compete for Miss Connecticut Teen USA®, contestants must:

• Be born between 2007 and 2011.

• Be a United States citizen through the state and national competition.

• Be medically and legally recognized as female in the United States.

• Have never been married or had a marriage annulled.

• Have never given birth, cannot be a parent or guardian, and cannot be currently pregnant.

• Meet residency or student eligibility requirements within the state.

• Must never have participated in a previous national Miss Teen USA® competition.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

The Miss Connecticut USA® and Miss Connecticut Teen USA® competitions offer a powerful platform for confidence, ambition, and growth. Whether this is your first pageant or your next chapter, the 2026 competition could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

For full details and to apply, visit:https://www.missconnecticutusa.com/apply