dpJuly 15, 2026, 5:52 p.m. ET
“Saturday Night Live” star and comedian Marcello Hernández will host the 2026 ESPY Awards.
The ESPN-produced awards show, which celebrates outstanding achievements in sports, airs Wednesday, July 15, in New York City.
“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,” Hernández said in a statement. “It is an honor, and frankly feels crazy to be hosting the ESPYS this year in New York. I’m sure the energy is going to be great.”
Previous ESPYS hosts include Jimmy Kimmel, LeBron James and Serena Williams.
“Marcello is one of the most electric young comedians today. His genuine enthusiasm for sports and his ties to New York City make him a natural fit to host this year’s ESPYS,” ESPN Vice President Craig Lazarus said in a statement. “We are excited to partner with him to celebrate the best moments in sports and look forward to the fresh take he’ll bring to the show.”
How to watch the 2026 ESPYs
The 2026 ESPYs air at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will stream live on the ESPN App. The ceremony will also be available to stream on Disney+, Hulu, the ESPN App and ABC Video on-demand Thursday, July 16.
How to watch the red carpet
The ESPYS red carpet show, hosted by Samantha Rivera, Harry Lyles Jr., Monica McNutt and Kimberley Martin, is at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can watch live on ESPN’s YouTube and Facebook page and the ESPN App. Expect appearances from some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
ESPYs will bring a star-studded roster of presenters
- Simone Biles
- Allyson Felix
- Eileen Gu
- Tiffany Haddish
- Kevin Hart
- DJ Khaled
- Chloe Kim
- Billie Jean King
- Pat McAfee
- Ilona Maher
- French Montana
- Tracy Morgan
- Kevin Negandhi
- Jake Paul
- Oz Pearlman
- Robin Roberts
- Jayson Tatum
- Mike Tyson
- Lindsey Vonn
