2026 ESPYS: Celebrating Excellence in Sports with Marcello Hernández as Host
The 2026 ESPYS, presented by Capital One, is a prestigious event that honors the top athletes and moments in sports. Hosted by comedian Marcello Hernández, this year's awards ceremony will take place in New York City at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. You can participate by voting for your favorite stars to win an ESPY.
NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson is a standout nominee in three categories: Best Athlete - Men's Sports, Best Championship Performance, and Best NBA Player. The New York Knicks, led by Brunson, are in the running for Best Team after securing their first championship in over five decades with a thrilling victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5.
Among the Best Team nominees are the men's and women's USA hockey teams, who clinched gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The game-winning goals scored in overtime against Canada by both teams are nominated for Best Play. Individual nominations include Hilary Knight from the women's hockey team and Connor Hellebuyck from the men's team in the Best Athlete - Women's Sports and Best Championship Performance categories, respectively.
A'ja Wilson, a previous winner in the Best Athlete - Women's Sports category, is vying for her second victory after her impressive performance in 2024. Wilson made history in 2025 by becoming the first player in WNBA or NBA history to achieve multiple accolades in a single season.
Shohei Ohtani, a dominant force in baseball, is once again nominated for Best MLB Player, a title he has held for five consecutive years. Ohtani is also recognized in the Best Athlete - Men's Sports and Best Single-Game Performance categories. Newcomers to the nominations list include Bam Adebayo, Fernando Mendoza, and Lauren Betts in various categories.
Your vote plays a crucial role in determining the winners of the ESPYS. Make sure to cast your vote and don't miss the live broadcast on July 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and the ESPN App. If you can't watch it live, the show will be available for streaming the following day on Disney+, Hulu, the ESPN App, and ABC Video on Demand. Let your voice be heard and support your favorite athletes!