Miss America Announces Updated Age and Eligibility Guidelines for 2026 Competition

The Miss America Organization has officially announced new age and eligibility requirements for individuals planning to compete at the at-large, local, or state level in preparation for the 2026 national competition. The updates reflect the organization’s return to a September competition schedule, honoring its historic roots in Atlantic City where the very first Miss America competition was held in 1921.

As the national competition prepares for its 2026 edition, here is what future delegates need to know:

Age Eligibility:

Due to the shift in the national competition calendar, age eligibility has been updated as follows:

• Miss America: Delegates must be no older than 28 years of age as of September 30, 2026 and must be at least 18 years old on September 1, 2026.

• Miss America’s Teen: Delegates must be at least 14 years old as of September 1, 2026 and no older than 18 on September 30, 2026.

Residency Requirements:

Delegates competing based on residency must provide documentation of at least 120 consecutive days of living within their chosen state before the date of the competition.

Employment Requirements:

Delegates qualifying through employment must show proof of full-time, in-person work. This must be a minimum of 40 hours per week for at least 120 consecutive days before the competition begins.

Student Status:

Delegates qualifying as students must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university located in the state they wish to compete in. Full-time enrollment is determined by the institution itself.

The organization also confirmed that all previously required documentation for eligibility verification remains the same.

The organization announced these changes as part of its continued focus on scholarship, service, and leadership.