The 2026 ESPY Awards Return to New York City

The ESPY Awards made a triumphant return to New York City on July 15, 2026, after spending two decades in Los Angeles. Held at the iconic Lincoln Center, the event celebrated outstanding athletes, teams, and unforgettable sports moments of the past year.

Many renowned sports figures graced the event, showcasing their achievements and contributions to the sports world. Notable attendees included Alysa Liu, Stephen Curry with his wife Ayesha, Mikaela Shiffrin, Ilona Maher, Simone Biles, Myles Garrett, and Chloe Kim. Gretchen Walsh and Jimmy Satos also made appearances at the awards, with Jutta Leerdam arriving alongside Jake Paul.

Marcello Hernández, the host of the evening, welcomed guests alongside the legendary Mike Tyson. The excitement was palpable as The Savannah Bananas performed at the event.

The awards ceremony honored exceptional achievements, with Alysa Liu accepting the Best Breakthrough Athlete award and Lauren Betts receiving the Best College Athlete award in women’s sports. Stephen Curry was recognized with the prestigious Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. Jarron Collins accepted the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage on behalf of his brother, Jason Collins.

Presenters included famous faces like Simone Biles, Fat Joe, Tracy Morgan, and Rauw Alejandro. Awards such as Best Athlete in men’s sports went to Jalen Brunson, while the Best Team award saw members of the New York Knicks taking the stage to accept their accolade.

Additional honors featured Jim Abbott receiving the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance and Myles Garrett securing the Best Record-Breaking Performance award. The evening concluded with Mike Tyson, DJ Khaled, and Jake Paul presenting the award for Best Single Game Performance.