Where is Miss Universe 2024 taking place? What to know about Mexico City’s Arena CDMX

For the fifth time in Miss Universe history, Mexico is the venue for the international beauty pageant, whose 73rd edition takes place this week in the country’s capital, Mexico City. The 2024 contest’s preliminary competition is to be held today, Thursday November 14, before the grand final on Saturday November 16.

As they bid to succeed 2023 winner Sheynnis Palacios as Miss Universe, a record 127 contestants are to take part in this year’s pageant. However, only 30 delegates - one of whom will be chosen by a fan vote - will make it through to the final show, where Nicaragua’s Palacios will be on hand to place the Miss Universe crown on her successor.

Arena CDMX: get to know the Miss Universe 2024 venue

Both the preliminary competition and the final show are to be staged at the Arena Ciudad de México, a 22,300-capacity indoor venue that opened in 2012.

Built at a cost of around $300 million, the arena also hosts concerts, theater and sports, with some 200 events taking place at the venue each year. Among the musical acts that have performed at the Arena Ciudad de México are major names such as Shakira, Justin Bieber and Metallica.

Constructed by KMD Architects Mexico, the Arena Ciudad de México - which is marketed as the Arena CDMX - is a high-tech venue: its exterior boasts an eye-catching, 6,200-square-meter LCD display, while its auditorium is equipped with 850 LCD screens and a state-of-the-art sound system. The arena also has 124 luxury suites and two helipads.

How many times has Mexico City held Miss Universe?

The city was previously chosen as the venue for the beauty contest in 1993 and 2007, with the 10,000-capacity Auditorio Nacional hosting the event. Mexico also staged Miss Universe in Acapulco in 1978 and Cancún in 1989.

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