Miss Minnesota & Miss Minnesota's Teen 2026 Competition to be held at Treasure Island Resort & Casino -Island Event Center
June 17-20, 2026
ARE YOU THE NEXT MISS MINNESOTA?
How to compete for the 2026 competition
Age Eligibility:
Delegates qualifying by residence must provide proof of at least 120 consecutive days of residency within the state prior to the date of competition.
Employment:
Delegates qualifying by employment must submit documentation of full-time, in-person employment (minimum of 40 hours per week) held for at least 120 consecutive days prior to competition.
Student Status:
Delegates qualifying through student status must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university located in the state. Full-time status is determined by the institution.
Documentation:
All forms of documentation required for eligibility verification remain unchanged. These updates are designed to provide clarity and consistency across all local, state, and national competitions. For further information, delegates should contact their local or state director.
Areas of Competition
PRIVATE INTERVIEW: Contestants begin with a 30 second opening statement, introducing their Community Service Initiative to the judges. This is followed by a 9 minute Q&A and an optional 30 second closing statement. The discussion with the judges ranges in topic from the Community Service Initiative, to education goals, to current events.
What is judged:
ON STAGE CONVERSATION: This is a single question asked to each contestant pertaining to the Community Service Initiative. It is an opportunity to underscore the importance of, and passion for, their chosen community service initiative.
What is judged:
HEALTH & FITNESS: Contestants showcase their commitment to health and fitness initiatives. A contestant's discipline and commitment to being physically healthy is a key to success in all areas of life. The routines are of equal length and choreographed to highlight their personal fitness.
What is judged:
EVENING GOWN: This is an opportunity for the contestant to showcase the sense of style they would bring to the role while attending galas, fundraisers, award shows, and other formal events. Scoring is not based on the actual or perceived cost of the delegates’ wardrobe.
What is judged:
TALENT: Contestants’ presentations may include singing, dancing, baton twirling, acting, instrumental performance and more. Additionally, contestants who may not have a traditional stage talent are encouraged to present a “HERstory” piece – a personal story which can move, inspire, or entertain.
What is judged:
Age Eligibility:
- Miss America: Delegates must be no older than 28 years of age as of September 30, 2026 and no younger than 18 on September 1, 2026
- Miss America’s Teen: Delegates must be no younger than 14 as of September 1, 2026 OR no older than 18 on September 30, 2026.
Delegates qualifying by residence must provide proof of at least 120 consecutive days of residency within the state prior to the date of competition.
Employment:
Delegates qualifying by employment must submit documentation of full-time, in-person employment (minimum of 40 hours per week) held for at least 120 consecutive days prior to competition.
Student Status:
Delegates qualifying through student status must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university located in the state. Full-time status is determined by the institution.
Documentation:
All forms of documentation required for eligibility verification remain unchanged. These updates are designed to provide clarity and consistency across all local, state, and national competitions. For further information, delegates should contact their local or state director.
Areas of Competition
PRIVATE INTERVIEW: Contestants begin with a 30 second opening statement, introducing their Community Service Initiative to the judges. This is followed by a 9 minute Q&A and an optional 30 second closing statement. The discussion with the judges ranges in topic from the Community Service Initiative, to education goals, to current events.
What is judged:
- Ability to fulfill the qualifications, responsibilities, duties, and term of the titleholder
- Commitment to her community service initiative
- Ability to express beliefs in an authentic and relatable manner
- Sense of accomplishments and goals
- Spontaneity, intelligence, sense of humor, charm and charisma.
- Authenticity and ability to answer questions in a conversational and unrehearsed manner
- Ability to serve as a representative of her generation
ON STAGE CONVERSATION: This is a single question asked to each contestant pertaining to the Community Service Initiative. It is an opportunity to underscore the importance of, and passion for, their chosen community service initiative.
What is judged:
- Commitment to the ‘Service’ point of the crown
- Unique perspective on community service and it’s local impact
- Desire to create interest in your community service initiative
- Intelligence, personality, charisma, and aptitude for the titleholder’s opportunity
- Sense of composure in presenting ideas on stage
- Interactivity with the panelists and the audience.
HEALTH & FITNESS: Contestants showcase their commitment to health and fitness initiatives. A contestant's discipline and commitment to being physically healthy is a key to success in all areas of life. The routines are of equal length and choreographed to highlight their personal fitness.
What is judged:
- Comfort and confidence level on stage
- Overall impression of health and fitness commitment
- Spontaneity and flow of presentation
- Preparedness to serve as a health and fitness ambassador
EVENING GOWN: This is an opportunity for the contestant to showcase the sense of style they would bring to the role while attending galas, fundraisers, award shows, and other formal events. Scoring is not based on the actual or perceived cost of the delegates’ wardrobe.
What is judged:
- Ability to capture attention on stage
- Comfort, confidence, and composure
TALENT: Contestants’ presentations may include singing, dancing, baton twirling, acting, instrumental performance and more. Additionally, contestants who may not have a traditional stage talent are encouraged to present a “HERstory” piece – a personal story which can move, inspire, or entertain.
What is judged:
- Performance or storytelling skills
- Ability to capture the attention of an audience while performing on stage.
- Interpretive ability and entertainment value
- Stage presence, on-stage personality and personal connection to her story.
Regardless of how you choose to compete, all ways will secure your spot
on our Miss Minnesota 2026 stage!
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Compete with an At-Large Title or Fair / Festival Title - accepting titles January through March 1st*
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NEXT STEPS:
Step one:
Register to become a contestant and pay your registration fee of $49.99 for this competition season.
Register to become a contestant and pay your registration fee of $49.99 for this competition season.
Step two:
Once you have registered and completed your Delegate Agreement, you will receive an email from Miss America with Your Personalized Spot Fund sign-up link for the American Heart Association
Once you have registered and completed your Delegate Agreement, you will receive an email from Miss America with Your Personalized Spot Fund sign-up link for the American Heart Association
If you have questions about competing, please contact Kathy Shellum