51 contestants, including Miss Ukraine, arrive in Hyderabad for 72nd Miss World festival
Hyderabad: The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad witnessed a flurry of activity as contestants from across the globe arrived to participate in the 72nd edition of the Miss World Festival. Representatives from more than 100 countries are expected to land in the city over the next few days, with 51 contestants and 23 officials having already arrived by Wednesday.
Among the early arrivals were Miss Polonia Maja Klajada, Miss Wales Millie Mae Adams, Miss England Milla Magee, Miss Northern Ireland Hannah Johns, Miss Hungary Andrea Katzenbach, Miss Bulgaria Teodora Miltenova, Miss Gibraltar Shania Ballester, and Miss Spain Corina Gonzalez. They were warmly received with a traditional welcome organized by the Telangana government.
Also welcomed at RGIA were Miss Estonia Eliise Randamaa, Miss Paraguay Yanina Gomez, Miss Czech Republic Adela Stroffekova, Miss Trinidad & Tobago Anna Lise Nanton, Miss Germany Silvia Dorre Sanchez, Miss Italy Chiara Esposito, and Miss Somalia Zainab Jama. Miss Ukraine Maria Melnychenko, Miss Belgium Karen Jansen, Miss Sri Lanka Audi Gunasekara, and Miss Kenya Grace Ramtu also arrived on Wednesday.
The event, hosted by the state of Telangana, marks the beginning of the month-long Miss World Festival, which runs from May 7 to May 31. This is the first time Hyderabad is hosting the international event, positioning Telangana on the global tourism and culture map.
An official press conference was held on May 6, 2025, at Trident Hyderabad. Present were Julia Morley CBE, Chairman and CEO of Miss World Limited; Jupally Krishna Rao, Telangana’s Minister for Prohibition & Excise, Tourism, Culture, and Archaeology; Sri Patel Ramesh Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation; and Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of the Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture Department.
Special guests included actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood, who will be honored with a Humanitarian Award during the festival for his philanthropic work through the Sood Charity Foundation. He will also serve as a judge for the grand finale. Miss India Nandini Gupta, the country’s representative at this year’s pageant, also attended.
Julia Morley praised Telangana’s cultural richness and hospitality, stating, “It is with immense joy that we bring the 72nd Miss World Festival to the heart of India. Telangana exemplifies the values of our mission — ‘Beauty With a Purpose.’”
Sonu Sood expressed his appreciation for being part of the event and highlighted the collaboration between the Miss World Organisation and his foundation to promote awareness for a Cancer-Free World. “This shared commitment will help bring hope to millions,” he said.
Nandini Gupta said she felt proud to represent India at home. “Telangana’s charm and diversity will be a memorable backdrop for this journey,” she said.
Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said the event is an opportunity to showcase Telangana’s heritage and development. “Hosting Miss World is a proud moment for our state,” he noted.
Festival Schedule and Highlights
The festival will officially open on May 10 at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium with a ceremony featuring Telangana’s folk and tribal dances. Contestants will be introduced to the public during this cultural showcase.
From May 12 to May 15, participants will tour various heritage and spiritual sites, including Buddhavanam at Nagarjunasagar, Charminar, Laad Bazaar, Chowmahalla Palace, Warangal Fort, the Ramappa Temple, and Pochampally village.
May 16 and 17 will include visits to medical tourism centers, Pillalamarri, and Ramoji Film City. On May 18, contestants will tour the Telangana Police Integrated Command & Control Center and witness a 3D projection mapping at the Secretariat, followed by a Sunday-Funday celebration at Tank Bund.
The Continental Finale and entrepreneur sessions at T-Hub are scheduled for May 20–21, along with select contestants attending an IPL match and an arts workshop at Shilparamam.
The Talent Finale will take place on May 22 at Shilpakala Vedika, followed by the Head-to-Head Challenge and a fashion showcase on May 23–24.
The “Beauty With a Purpose” event and a gala dinner are scheduled for May 26 at HITEX, featuring cultural performances and a Telangana cuisine festival.
The Grand Finale will be held on May 31 at HITEX, concluding the competition with a red carpet ceremony and coronation gala.
The celebrations will end on June 2 with Telangana State Formation Day, during which the new Miss World and other titleholders will meet the Governor and Chief Minister over high tea at Raj Bhavan.
Trident has been announced as the official hospitality partner for Miss World 2025. Gaurav K. Kumra, Vice President and General Manager, said, “We look forward to showcasing our hotel and the spirit of Telangana to an international audience.”
