Days before the preliminary events are slated to begin.
In an announcement made on their official channels, the Miss Grand International (MGI) pageant announced a major change in plans for the upcoming 2026 edition.
Originally, the said edition was meant to take place in New Delhi, India starting in mid-September, with the event culminating with the coronation event scheduled on October 10.
However, in a last-minute change, the organization said that it has decided to “discontinue all activities related to Miss Grand International 2026 in India.”
Instead, the remaining activities of the competition will be relocated to the pageant’s home base in Thailand.
“This decision has been made following the host country’s failure to fulfill the contractual commitments and standards agreed upon with Miss Grand International,” it explained.
According to them, as part of the agreement, the host country had been required to provide five-star hospitality and maintain five-star production standards throughout the competition.
“These requirements are essential to ensuring the safety, comfort, and overall experience of our contestants, as well as maintaining the professional standards and integrity of Miss Grand International,” the organization continued.
However, MGI told that in spite of discussions and “efforts to address” the situation, the agreed contractual standards were not met by the original host country. “As a result, Miss Grand International has determined that continuing the competition under the current circumstances would not be in the best interests of the contestants, staff, partners, or the organization,” it added.
Despite this change in location, the MGI will continue to be held from September 18 to October 10, 2026. However, the exact schedule, venues, activities, and arrangements in Thailand will be officially announced “in due course.”
Angelica Lopez, Binibining Pilipinas-International 2023 and Miss International 2024 semifinalist, was announced as the Grand winner and will represent the Philippines in this edition of Miss Grand International.
There, she will attempt to pull off a never-before-seen three consecutive win, following 2024 queen CJ Opiaza and reigning titleholder Emma Mary Tiglao—who will pass the crown to her successor on the same night.
The representative from Palawan also bagged the Best in Swimsuit, Reina Pasarela, and Reina Urban Smiles awards at the recent Reina Filipinas pageant, which selected the next representatives to MGI and its off-shoot, MGI All Stars.
