The 2026 ESPYS: Who's nominated, how to watch and everything sports fans need to know
The hottest summer event in sports -- outside of the FIFA World Cup -- returns to New York City this month with the 2026 ESPYS.
A star-studded roster of the best athletes and entertainers will gather in the Big Apple next week to celebrate the greatest achievements in the world of sports over the past year.
Here's everything fans and viewers need to know ahead of the 2026 ESPYS.
When are the ESPYS?
The show takes place Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
Who is hosting the 2026 ESPYS?
Comedian Marcello Hernández will host the ceremony for the first time and said "it is an honor, and frankly feels crazy" to be doing so.
Where are the 2026 ESPYS?
This year marks the ESPYS return to New York City, where the event will air live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.
The annual awards, which were previously held at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, were last held in New York in 2021.
Who is nominated at this year's ESPYS?
Jalen Brunson, Myles Garrett, Alysa Liu, Matthew Stafford, Rory McIlroy, Lionel Messi, Shohei Ohtani, Mikaela Shiffrin, Victor Wembanyama, and A'ja Wilson are all among the top nominees this year.
There are also several standouts and first-time nominees across multiple categories.
Brunson, the NBA Finals MVP who led the New York Knicks to their first championship title since 1973, is nominated in three categories: best athlete - men's sports, best championship performance and best NBA player.
The Knicks are also among the nine best team nominees. Other nominees in the best team category include the Las Vegas Aces (WNBA), the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), the Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA Football); the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), the Texas Longhorns (NCAA Softball), the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), and the Team USA men's and women's hockey teams.
Dodgers star Ohtani is nominated in three categories: best athlete - men's sports, best single-game performance, and best MLB player. Ohtani won best MLB player last year for the fifth consecutive time, surpassing both Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols with four each.
This year's first-time nominees include Bam Adebayo, Lauren Betts, Macklin Celebrini, Hannah Hidalgo, Drake Maye, Fernando Mendoza and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Las Vegas Aces star Wilson and alpine ski racer Shiffrin will both seek a second win in the best athlete - women's sports category. Wilson was the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win the regular season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year title, Finals MVP title, and a scoring title in the same season in 2025. Shiffrin is the first athlete ever to reach 100 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup victories.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Garrett is nominated for best NFL player and best record-breaking performance following his NFL single-season sack record, with 23 in 2025. If he wins, Garrett would be the only defensive player to take home the best NFL player title.
Texas Softball won its second consecutive Women's College World Series title in June, defeating intrastate rival Texas Tech for the second year in a row. As only the second program in history to win its first two titles back-to-back, the Longhorns are now chasing their first team ESPY win.
Click here for a full list of nominees and categories.
How to watch the 2026 ESPYS
The 2026 ESPYS will broadcast live on ABC and stream on ESPN+ on the ESPN app.
It will also be available to stream the next day on Hulu, Disney+, the ESPN App, and ABC Video on Demand.
Disney is the parent company of ESPN, ABC News and "Good Morning America."
