The short version
- WAPA reports that the Miss Universe 2026 final will take place in Puerto Rico on Nov. 24
- The island first hosted the competition in 1972 as the first venue outside the United States, according to WAPA
- Puerto Rico also hosted the pageant in 2001 and 2002, with Denise Quiñones winning the crown in 2001 in front of a home audience, WAPA said
- El Nuevo Día described the 1972 edition as historic yet accidented, noting two bomb explosions at the Cerromar Beach Hotel in Dorado on the night of the related Miss USA event
Fourth time hosting the event
Puerto Rico will host the final night of the Miss Universe diamond edition on Nov. 24, WAPA reported. The island first hosted the competition in 1972, becoming the first destination outside the United States to do so. It later hosted the pageant again in 2001 and 2002.
During the 2001 edition held in Puerto Rico, local representative Denise Quiñones won the crown in front of her home audience, according to WAPA. The broadcaster also interviewed Bárbara Pérez, Miss Puerto Rico 1972, about her experience competing as a host-country contestant.
Also on PuertoRico.com: Dorado travel guide
1972 edition marked by explosions
El Nuevo Día recalled that the 1972 Miss Universe competition, held in Puerto Rico, was both historic and accidented. On the night of Sunday, May 21, 1972, while the Miss USA pageant was taking place at the Cerromar Beach Hotel in Dorado, two homemade bombs exploded.
The first device detonated at 11:15 p.m. in the hotel parking area, damaging seven cars. Ten minutes later, another exploded in room 664 of the hotel, causing commotion among guests, El Nuevo Día reported.
Where the sources differ
Both WAPA and El Nuevo Día agree that Puerto Rico hosted Miss Universe in 1972, 2001 and 2002 and that the island will host again this year. WAPA focuses on the upcoming Nov. 24 final, the historic first in 1972 as the first non-U.S. venue, the 2001 win by Denise Quiñones, and an interview with Bárbara Pérez. El Nuevo Día, published one day earlier, provides details only on the 1972 event, describing two bomb explosions at the Cerromar Beach Hotel in Dorado on May 21, 1972, during the Miss USA portion of activities. The sources do not conflict but cover different aspects of the story.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify the venue for the upcoming Nov. 24 final, whether the full Miss Universe competition or only the finale will be held in Puerto Rico, details on security or organization for the 2026 event, or any outcomes or resolutions related to the 1972 explosions. No information is given on ticket sales, participating countries or the current Miss Universe titleholder.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Puerto Rico vuelve a ser la casa de Miss Universe para su edición diamante
- Reporting Miss Universe 1972: cuando Puerto Rico vivió una edición histórica y accidentada
How we checked this
WAPA reported the announcement of Puerto Rico as host for the 2026 diamond edition and reviewed past editions including the 2001 victory. El Nuevo Día focused exclusively on the bombings that occurred during the 1972 hosting. No other sources were used.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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