Atlanta could host Miss Universe 2019 pageant

Catriona Gray of the Philippines, left, reacts with joy as she is crowned the Miss Universe 2018 by Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters during the final round of the 67th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018.(AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

Credit: Gemunu Amarasinghe

Credit: Gemunu Amarasinghe

Catriona Gray of the Philippines, left, reacts with joy as she is crowned the Miss Universe 2018 by Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters during the final round of the 67th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018.(AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

The next Miss Universe pageant could be hosted in Atlanta, with the crowning of the newest beauty queen potentially taking place the day after the SEC Championship.

The international pageant recently contacted the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau about potentially hosting the annual event, according to bureau spokeswoman  Heather Kirksey. The pageant’s final night, featuring the crowning of a winner, would be held on Dec. 8, six weeks from Sunday.

Contestants typically spend at least a week in the host city, participating in rehearsals, preliminary competitions and appearances in advance of the final night.

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It’s not clear what venue would work for the pageant, which can draw thousands of spectators and is broadcast worldwide.

“We are working to see what’s available,” Kirksey said.

A spokeswoman for Miss Universe did not return a request for comment.

Atlanta has not previously hosted Miss Universe or a similar international pageant. The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau did not have an estimate of the potential economic impact the pageant could have on Atlanta.

Miss Universe was hosted in Bangkok, Thailand last year. In the past five years, it’s been hosted in Las Vegas; Manila, Philippines; and Miami.

At least 89 women are expected to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, hailing from countries including Nepal, Thailand and Venezuela.

The SEC Championship football game will be held at Mercedez-Benz Stadium on Dec. 7. If Miss Universe does come to Atlanta, it would be a busy weekend for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and metro Atlanta’s 100,000 hotel rooms.

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