SNL's Marcello Hernández to Host 2026 ESPYs as Ceremony Returns to New York City

The 2026 ESPY Awards will return to New York City for the first time since 2021, with comedian and "Saturday Night Live" star Marcello Hernández serving as host. The ceremony is set for Wednesday, July 15, at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, airing live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.

According to DraftKings, the event marks the 34th consecutive year of the awards show, which had been held in Los Angeles for the previous four years. The Streamable reported that the crowd will include "Olympic Gold Medalists, Super Bowl and NBA champions, A-list movie, TV, and music stars, and many more."

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"Over the previous four years, this event took place in Los Angeles, and this is the first time the ESPY Awards have been in New York since 2021."

The choice of Hernández as host brings an SNL flavor to the ceremony, with The Spun noting that the comedian is "best known for his time on 'Saturday Night Live.'" The Streamable also highlighted his role, while nkomode.com reported that the awards will recognize "the top athletic achievements and most memorable sports moments of 2026."

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"Comedian Marcello Hernandez, best known for his time on 'Saturday Night Live,' will be hosting the 2026 edition of the sports awards show."

Viewers can watch the ESPYs live on ABC or stream via services such as ESPN Unlimited. The Streamable recommended using a five-day free trial to DIRECTV for streaming access.

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While the event celebrates sports excellence, The Spun noted that the 2026 ESPYS are "sure to face backlash for Kai Trump's announcement," though details of that development were not immediately expanded upon in the reporting.