The 2026 ESPY Awards will honor the best in sports from the past year, airing live on Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

"Saturday Night Live" cast member and comedian Marcello Hernández is set to host the ceremony, which will take place at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City. Viewers without cable can watch the awards show for free through a live TV streaming service's free trial.

DIRECTV offers a five-day free trial that includes ABC, making it a top option for cord-cutters. Sling TV also provides an affordable way to stream the ESPYs, with its Select plan including ABC for $19.99 per month.

This year's ceremony will feature presentations by a range of celebrities and athletes, including Tracy Morgan, Robin Roberts, Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Billie Jean King, Mike Tyson, Ilona Maher, and Simone Biles.

Several individuals will receive special honors. Jason Collins will be posthumously awarded the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Former MLB player Jim Abbott, known for his 10-year career despite being born without a right hand, will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan is set to be honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service.

Musical performances are scheduled from artists De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, Slick Rick, and the baseball entertainment group the Savannah Bananas.

2026 ESPY Awards Nominees

The awards will recognize achievements across numerous categories. Notable nominees include:

  • Best Athlete, Men's Sports: Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks, NBA), Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams, NFL), Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami FC, MLS).
  • Best Athlete, Women's Sports: Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine Skiing), Hilary Knight (USA Hockey/Seattle Torrent, PWHL), Nelly Korda (Golf), A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces, WNBA).
  • Best Breakthrough Athlete: Alysa Liu (Figure Skating), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana Hoosiers football), Drake Maye (New England Patriots, NFL), Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks, NHL).
  • Best Comeback Athlete: Anthony Kim (Golf), Kyndal Stowers (Texas A&M volleyball), Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers, NFL), Savy King (Angel City FC, NWSL).
  • Best Championship Performance: Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Teagan Kavan (Texas Longhorns softball), Aerin Frankel (USA Women’s Hockey), Connor Hellebuyck (USA Men’s Hockey).
  • Best College Athlete, Men’s Sports: Cameron Boozer (Duke basketball), Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State wrestling), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana football), Donavan Phillip (NC State soccer).
  • Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports: Lauren Betts (UCLA basketball), Madison Taylor (Northwestern lacrosse), Faith Torrez (Oklahoma gymnastics), Olivia Babcock (Pittsburgh volleyball).
  • Best Record-Breaking Performance: Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns) for breaking the NFL single-season sack record, Megan Grant (UCLA Softball) for breaking the NCAA single-season softball home run record, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (Cross-country skiing) for winning six golds at the Winter Games, and Sabastian Sawe (Long-distance running) for finishing a marathon in under two hours.
  • Best Team: Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Texas Longhorns (Women’s College World Series), Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA Football), Las Vegas Aces (WNBA), New York Knicks (NBA), Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), Team USA Women’s Hockey (2026 Winter Olympics), Team USA Men’s Hockey (2026 Winter Olympics).
  • Best Athlete with a Disability: Jake Adicoff (Paralympic Nordic skiing), Declan Farmer (Sledge hockey), Oksana Masters (Paralympic cross-country skiing), Susannah Scaroni (Wheelchair racing).
  • Best Play: USA Women’s Hockey (Golden Goal for Gold!), USA Men’s Hockey (Golden Goal for Gold!), Braylon Mullins (Buzzer-beater 3 for UConn to beat Duke in NCAA Men’s March Madness), OG Anunoby (Tip-In to win game 4 of the NBA Finals), Caleb Williams (Game Tying TD vs. Rams).

The broadcast will feature announcements of winners across 22 award categories.