3 hours ago
3
All of the biggest athletes were out for the 2026 ESPY Awards at New York City's Lincoln Center July 15, hosted by Saturday Night Live's Marcello Hernández.
Jalen Brunson, Lionel Messi & More Score ESPYS 2026 Nominations
Without a doubt, the fashion at the 2026 ESPY Awards is a slam dunk.
All your favorite stars are trading in their jerseys for couture as they hit the red carpet for the biggest night in sports at Lincoln Center in New York City July 15.
The evening kicked off with athletes from across the sports world making their way down the carpet—including those from the 2026 Winter Olympics, who were all eligible this year.
Take Lindsey Vonn, who dazzled in a sequined plum gown amid her recovery from a torn ACL, broken ankle and fractured tibia after her crash at the Milano Cortina Games earlier this year.
"I'm in heels," the skier quipped to USA Sports' Renee Montgomery in an exclusive E! News interview. "I can't say it's comfortable, but is it ever?"
Meanwhile, figure skater Alysa Liu—nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete—was as stunning as she was on the ice in a plunging brown MISHA gown.
And it’s sure to be a who’s who of Olympians at the sports award, with the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams up for Best Team, skier Mikaela Shiffrin nominated for Best Athlete, Women’s Sports alongside fellow Olympian and hockey star Hilary Knight, as well as Paralympian and cross-country skier Oksana Masters competing for Best Athlete With a Disability.
Also bringing that championship mentality to the ESPYs will be Jalen Brunson, who helped lead the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship win in over 50 years as the team’s captain. It remains to be seen if he’ll take home the award for Best Athlete, Men’s Sports, as he competes against MLS’ Lionel Messi, MLB’s Shohei Ohtani and the NFL’s Matthew Stafford.
But the real MVP of the night? This year’s ESPY Awards host, Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernández, who cannot believe he is being trusted with the keys to the sports kingdom.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
“I started doing comedy 10 years ago, in Cleveland, Ohio, and I would take the train 12 hours to New York to sell comedy tickets on the street in Greenwich Village in exchange for stage time,” the 38-year-old in a June 3 press release. “It is an honor, and frankly feels crazy to be hosting the ESPYS this year in New York.”
He added, “I’m sure the energy is going to be great.”
For more of the world’s biggest athletes who are ready for their own home runs on the 2026 ESPY Awards red carpet, keep reading.
(E! and USA Sports are both part of Versant Media.)
Theo Wargo/WireImage
Jonathan Owens & Simone Biles
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Mikaela Shiffrin & Lindsey Vonn
Theo Wargo/WireImage
Alysa Liu
Theo Wargo/WireImage
Ayesha Curry & Steph Curry
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Russell Wilson
Theo Wargo/WireImage
Karl-Anthony Towns & Jordyn Woods
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Ilona Maher
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Sunisa Lee
Arturo Holmes/FilmMagic
DJ Khaled
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Sean Evans
Theo Wargo/WireImage
Eileen Gu
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Kate Upton
Theo Wargo/WireImage
Jutta Leerdam & Jake Paul
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Madison Chock
Theo Wargo/WireImage
Kevin Hart
ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
Myles Garrett & Chloe Kim
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Jalen Brunson & Ali Marks
Arturo Holmes/FilmMagic
Fortune Feimster
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Miles "Duece" McBride & Ana Zortea
Arturo Holmes/FilmMagic
Tyler Kolek
Arturo Holmes/FilmMagic
Morgan Riddle
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Folarin Balogun
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Damar Hamlin
Evan Bates & Madison Chock
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Ali Truwit
heo Wargo/WireImage
Dion Dawkins & Daiyaana Muhammad
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Dwight Howard
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Anna Leigh Waters
Arturo Holmes/FilmMagic
Quinn Hughes & Jack Hughes
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Fat Joe
English (US) ·