Miss Grand International 2026 moves from India to Thailand weeks before coronation night
Miss Grand International 2026 is moving to Thailand after the organization ended its planned activities in India over the latter's "failure to fulfill the contractual commitments and standards" agreed upon by both parties.
The Miss Grand International (MGI) organization announced the change on Thursday, Sept. 3, saying the remaining activities of the competition will instead take place in Thailand.
According to MGI, the host country was expected to provide five-star hospitality and production standards throughout the competition, which it said were necessary for the contestants’ “safety, comfort, and overall experience.”
“Unfortunately, despite discussions and efforts to address the situation, the agreed contractual standards have not been met,” the organization said.
The MGI added that continuing the tilt under the circumstances would not be in the best interests of its contestants, staff, partners, or the organization.
“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 said.
The competition will be held in Thailand from Sept. 18 to Oct. 10, with activities including city tours, the swimsuit competition, national costume and preliminary competitions, and the coronation night.
The organization has also released the updated schedule of activities for the Thailand leg, which includes the contestants’ arrival and registration on Sept. 18 and 19, followed by various events leading up to the Oct. 10 finals.
The change came just weeks after MGI announced that India would host the 2026 edition. The pageant was originally scheduled to begin on Sept. 18, with the coronation night set for Oct. 10 in New Delhi.
Last year, the pageant was held in Bangkok, where the Philippines' Emma Tiglao won the crown. For this year's edition, the country will be represented by Angelica Lopez.
