The Miss World 2026 grand finale will be held on Saturday, September 5, in Nha Trang, Vietnam, with India's Nikita Porwal among the contestants competing for the coveted crown. The event marks the 73rd edition of Miss World and forms part of the pageant's 75th-anniversary celebrations. 

The finale is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm IST and will be streamed for Indian viewers. Porwal, who was crowned Femina Miss India World 2024, has been representing India throughout the Miss World festival in Vietnam, which began on August 9.

Nikita Porwal Represents India

Nikita Porwal, who hails from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, won the Femina Miss India World 2024 title before being selected to represent India at the global pageant.

Her background extends beyond modelling and beauty pageants. She is a trained theatre performer, playwright and actor and has reportedly participated in more than 60 theatrical productions. She studied Performing Arts with a specialisation in Dramatics and is the Creative Director of theatre company Rangrays. 

Porwal has also presented India's social-impact work through the Miss World's Beauty With a Purpose programme. Her Project MAATI focuses on education, nutrition, healthcare and support for tribal communities. The official Miss World profile says the project has included distribution of water filters and nutritional supplies and has expanded its work in Madhya Pradesh. 

Finale to Be Held in Nha Trang

The final will take place in Nha Trang, a coastal city in Vietnam. The Miss World organisation has described the 2026 competition as its 75th-anniversary edition, with the final serving as the culmination of weeks of cultural events, challenges and social-impact activities. 

The competition has featured several preliminary challenges before the final. The Top Model Challenge, for example, recently secured places in the Top 40 for contestants from the Dominican Republic, Nigeria, Vietnam and France. 

Porwal has also attracted attention for her cultural presentation during the festival. She performed in the Dances of the World segment in an outfit inspired by the cultural and devotional traditions associated with Goddess Meenakshi. 

India Has Won Six Miss World Crowns

India has a strong history at the Miss World competition, having produced six winners.

The most recent Indian winner was Manushi Chhillar, who won the title in 2017. Before her, Priyanka Chopra won the crown in 2000, while other Indian winners include Reita Faria, Aishwarya Rai, Diana Hayden and Yukta Mookhey.

Porwal is therefore entering the final with the possibility of extending India's long association with the competition.

Thailand's Opal Suchata Won in 2025

The reigning Miss World is Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand, who won the 2025 competition in Hyderabad.

The 2025 final was held on May 31 at the HITEX Exhibition Centre, where contestants from more than 100 countries competed. Ethiopia's Hasset Dereje was the first runner-up, while Poland's Maja Klajda finished second runner-up and Martinique's Aurélie Joachim was third runner-up.

Suchata's victory gave Thailand its first Miss World title.

What Makes the 2026 Edition Special?

The 2026 edition is being presented as a major milestone for the Miss World organisation because it marks its 75th anniversary.

The festival has been held across Vietnam, with contestants taking part in cultural programmes, charity initiatives, talent competitions, fashion events and other challenges before reaching the final stage.

The organisation continues to promote its Beauty With a Purpose programme, through which contestants highlight social and community projects alongside their pageant participation. 

For Porwal, the final is also the culmination of nearly two years since she won the Femina Miss India World 2024 crown. Her theatre background and social-impact work have been central to her profile during the international competition. 

When and Where to Watch Miss World 2026

The Miss World 2026 final will be held on Saturday, September 5, in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

For viewers in India, the live finale is scheduled for 5:30 pm IST. Porwal will compete alongside contestants from around the world for the Miss World crown. 

The result will determine whether India adds another Miss World title to its record six victories, with Porwal seeking to become the country's seventh winner.