2026 ESPY Awards: When, Where, and Who to Watch

How to Watch the 2026 ESPYS

Wednesday, July 15 marks the broadcast of this year’s ESPYs. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time from Lincoln Center in New York City. ABC carries the live telecast, and viewers can stream the event through the ESPN app and partners like DirecTV, Fubo, and ESPN Unlimited.

When to Tune In

Set your calendar for Wednesday, July 15 at 8 p.m. ET. The ceremony airs on ABC across the United States, making it easy to catch live. International fans can also access the broadcast via the ESPN app.

Streaming Options Without Cable

If you don’t have traditional cable, platforms such as DirecTV, Fubo, YouTube TV, and the ESPN app let you view the show live. These services carry ABC’s feed and provide on‑demand access. The ESPN Unlimited tier adds extra commentary and archived content for die‑hard fans.

Host and Expected Guests

Saturday Night Live mainstay Marcello Hernandez takes the host chair for this year’s ceremony. Confirmed attendees include NBA stars Jalen Brunson, Bam Adebayo, and Karl‑Anthony Towns. Olympians Alysa Liu, Oksana Masters, Hilary Knight, and Matthew Tkachuk will also be present, joined by football star Fernando Mendoza and comedians Will Ferrell, Tracy Morgan, and DJ Khaled.

Major Celebrity Appearances

The guest list expands to feature Olympic greats Simone Biles, Allyson Felix, Chloe Kim, and Eileen Gu. Jayson Tatum represents the NBA, while comedians Tiffany Haddish and Kevin Hart add humor. Musical interludes are delivered by De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, Slick Rick, and the Savannah Bananas.

Top ESPY Nominees by Category

Men’s sports nominations spotlight Jalen Brunson, Lionel Messi, Shohei Ohtani, and Matthew Stafford, while A’ja Wilson leads the women’s field. Breakthrough honors go to Macklin Celebrini, Alysa Liu, Drake Maye, and Fernando Mendoza. Record‑breaking nominees include Myles Garrett for NFL sacks, Megan Grant for softball homers, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo for six Winter golds, and Sabastian Sawe for a sub‑two‑hour marathon.

Comeback athletes recognized are Christian McCaffrey and Kyndal Stowers, among others. The Best Play segment showcases a golden goal in women’s hockey, a men’s hockey golden goal, Braylon Mullins’ buzzer‑beater, OG Anunoby’s tip‑in, and Caleb Williams’ game‑tying touchdown. Team awards highlight Indiana Hoosiers (football) and Texas Longhorns (softball) among others.

Single‑game standouts include Tyce Armstrong’s three grand slams, Bam Adebayo’s 83‑point outburst, Hannah Hidalgo’s 16‑steal record, and Shohei Ohtani’s six‑home‑run pitching performance. College athlete nominees span men’s sports with Cameron Boozer, Fernando Mendoza, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Donavan Phillip, and women’s sports with Olivia Babcock, Lauren Betts, Madison Taylor, and Faith Torrez.

Disability categories feature Jake Adicoff, Declan Farmer, Oksana Masters, and Susannah Scaroni. NFL nominees list Myles Garrett, Drake Maye, Jaxon Smith‑Njigba, and Matthew Stafford. MLB nominees are Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Cal Raleigh, and Paul Skenes. NHL nominees include Macklin Celebrini, Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid. NBA nominees are Jalen Brunson, Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama. A’ja Wilson appears again in the WNBA category. Driver, fighter, soccer, golfer, and tennis categories contain few or no named entries.

Special Honorary Awards

Former NBA player Jason Collins will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage posthumously. Jim Abbott is slated for the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and Scott Ruskan earns the Pat Tillman Award for Service. The ceremony also presents the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award and the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award.

Why the 2026 ESPYS Matter

This year’s show reflects the Winter Olympics dominance of athletes like Klæbo and the Knicks’ championship run. Record‑breaking performances—from Garrett’s sacks to Ohtani’s dual‑role excellence—highlight the blend of athleticism and drama that ESPY honors. The event’s expanded streaming options make the night accessible to a broader audience than ever before.