2026 Miss America Pageant: Date, Host City, Contestants & How to Watch Live

H2: Cassie Donegan of New York Crowned Miss America 2026 The 2026 Miss America pageant concluded Sunday night at Orlando’s Walt Disney Theater, where Cassie Donegan—Miss New York 2025—captured the coveted crown and a $50,000 scholarship. The Broadway-trained singer and actress impressed judges with a powerhouse rendition of “A Darker Shade of Blue” from the musical “Some Like It Hot,” clinching the organization’s 99th national title. H2: Final Night Results and Scholarship Awards • Winner: Cassie Donegan, New York – $50,000 • 1st Runner-Up: Sadie Schiermeyer, Texas – $10,000 • 2nd Runner-Up: Paris Richardson, Florida – $7,500 • 3rd Runner-Up: Audrey Kittila, Georgia – $6,000 • 4th Runner-Up: Emma Terry, Alabama – $5,000 In addition, Emma Terry earned a $5,000 Quality of Life Award for her ALS advocacy platform. H2: Star-Studded Panel and Hosts The 2026 finals were co-hosted by actress Nikki Novak and “The Voice” alum Billy Gilman. Judges included NBC comedian Mayan Lopez, Daytona International Speedway president Frank Kelleher, fashion designer Frederick Anderson, FOX Sports reporter Jen Hale, 1976 Miss America Tawny Godin Welch, and filmmaker Nick Nanton. H2: Where and How to Watch the Replay Miss America streamed the entire competition free on its official YouTube channel and on PageantVision.com, giving fans on-demand access to preliminary and final rounds, backstage interviews, and exclusive behind-the-scenes moments. H2: A New Reign Begins in Orlando Immediately after the confetti cascade, outgoing titleholder Abbie Stockard passed the crown to Donegan, who now embarks on a year-long national tour promoting her social impact initiative, “Promoting Arts Education in Our School Systems.” The Virginia-born performer will serve as a keynote speaker at schools, military bases, and corporate events while acting as brand ambassador for the Miss America Organization. H2: Why the 2026 Edition Matters • Second Consecutive Year in Orlando: The return to Walt Disney Theater reinforces Central Florida’s growing status as a pageant capital. • Expanded Streaming Reach: Free global livestreaming marks a strategic shift toward digital audiences, boosting viewership among Gen Z and millennials. • Record Scholarship Pool: More than $500,000 was awarded across all preliminaries, reaffirming Miss America’s role as the nation’s largest provider of scholarships to women. H2: Looking Ahead to the Centennial 2027 Pageant With just one year until Miss America celebrates its 100th anniversary, organizers hinted at “historic surprises” for 2027. Applications for state competitions open next month on MissAmerica.org; winners will advance to the centennial festivities back in Orlando. H3: Key Takeaways for Pageant Fans and Parents • Talent and social impact now count for 70 % of the overall score, underscoring the program’s academic focus. • Contestants can earn scholarships at every stage—even without placing in finals—making early involvement beneficial for college-bound teens. • Follow @MissAmerica on Instagram and subscribe to the YouTube channel for real-time updates, contestant spotlights, and scholarship deadlines. H2: Frequently Searched Questions Q: Who won Miss America 2026? A: Cassie Donegan of New York claimed the crown and $50,000 scholarship. Q: Where was Miss America 2026 held? A: Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida. Q: How can I rewatch the pageant? A: The full replay is available free on the Miss America Official YouTube channel and PageantVision.com. By covering the winner, final rankings, scholarship totals, streaming info, and future milestones, this article answers the most common search queries about the 2026 Miss America pageant while providing evergreen details that continue to attract traffic long after pageant night.