Mike Smith
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 ESPY Awards, including the start time, where to watch, nominees, host, replay options, and streaming details.
How to watch ESPY Awards 2026 outside the US on ABC
To watch the ESPY Awards 2026 outside the US, start by connecting to a US server using a premium VPN. Once connected, you can stream ABC live through Hulu + Live TV, ESPN, or DIRECTV.
- Subscribe to NordVPN
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a US-based server.
- You can stream ABC live through Hulu + Live TV, ESPN or direcTV.
- You are all set to watch ESPYs live!
2026 ESPY Awards Overview
The 2026 ESPY Awards is a three-hour sports awards special that celebrates standout athletes, teams, record-breaking moments, and major achievements from across the sporting world. The annual ceremony brings together stars from basketball, baseball, football, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, motorsports, combat sports, and other major competitions for one of the biggest nights on the sports calendar.
This year’s show will also include special honors recognizing courage, perseverance, and service beyond competition. With fan-voted categories and a wide mix of nominees, the 2026 ESPYs will look back at many of the performances and sporting moments that shaped the past year.
When and What Time Does the ESPY Awards 2026 Start?
The 2026 ESPY Awards will air on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.
Where to Watch the 2026 ESPYs
You can watch the 2026 ESPYs live on ABC. The ABC broadcast is also available to stream through Hulu + Live TV, the ESPN App, and DIRECTV with supported access.
2026 ESPYs Nominees List
Best Athlete, Men’s Sports
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF
- Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Best Athlete, Women’s Sports
- Hilary Knight, Hockey
- Nelly Korda, Golf
- Mikaela Shiffrin, Skiing
- A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Best Breakthrough Athlete
- Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
- Alysa Liu, Figure Skating
- Drake Maye, New England Patriots
- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Football
Best Record-Breaking Performance
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
- Megan Grant, UCLA Softball
- Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Cross-Country Skiing
- Sabastian Sawe, Long-Distance Running
Best Championship Performance
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Aerin Frankel, USA Women’s Hockey
- Connor Hellebuyck, USA Men’s Hockey
- Teagan Kavan, Texas Longhorns Softball
Best Comeback Athlete
- Anthony Kim, Golf
- Savy King, Angel City FC
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
- Kyndal Stowers, Texas A&M Volleyball
Best Play
- Golden Goal for Gold, Olympic Women’s Hockey
- Golden Goal for Gold, Olympic Men’s Hockey
- UConn stuns Duke with Braylon Mullins’ buzzer-beating three
- OG Anunoby’s tip-in in the NBA Finals
- Caleb Williams’ game-tying touchdown against the Rams
Best Team
- Las Vegas Aces, WNBA
- Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB
- Indiana Hoosiers, NCAA Football
- Carolina Hurricanes, NHL
- New York Knicks, NBA
- Texas Longhorns, NCAA Softball
- Seattle Seahawks, NFL
- Team USA Men’s Hockey
- Team USA Women’s Hockey
Best Single-Game Performance
- Tyce Armstrong, Baylor Baseball
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame Basketball
- Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
Best College Athlete, Men’s Sports
- Cameron Boozer, Duke Basketball
- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Football
- Mitchell Mesenbrink, Penn State Wrestling
- Donavan Phillip, NC State Soccer
Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports
- Olivia Babcock, Pittsburgh Volleyball
- Lauren Betts, UCLA Basketball
- Madison Taylor, Northwestern Lacrosse
- Faith Torrez, Oklahoma Gymnastics
Best Athlete with a Disability
- Jake Adicoff, Para Nordic Skiing
- Declan Farmer, Para Hockey
- Oksana Masters, Para Cross-Country Skiing
- Susannah Scaroni, Wheelchair Racing
Best NFL Player
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
- Drake Maye, New England Patriots
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
- Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Who Is Hosting the 2026 ESPYs?
Marcello Hernández is hosting the 2026 ESPY Awards live from New York City. Best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, Hernández is also a sports fan and former athlete who has appeared around major sporting events.
Can You Watch the 2026 ESPYs Online for Free?
Yes, you can watch the 2026 ESPYs online for free by using a Hulu free trial. Create an account, choose a Hulu + Live TV option that includes ABC, and use the trial period to stream the awards live.
Where Can I Watch a Replay of the 2026 ESPYs?
You can watch a replay of the 2026 ESPYs on Hulu after the live ABC broadcast.
On What Devices Can You Watch Hulu?
You can stream Hulu on a wide range of supported phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices.
| Device | How to Watch |
|---|---|
| Windows PC | Web browser |
| Mac | Web browser |
| iPhone and iPad | Hulu app |
| Android phones and tablets | Hulu app |
| Apple TV | Hulu app |
| Amazon Fire TV | Hulu app |
| Samsung Smart TV | Hulu app |
| LG Smart TV | Hulu app |
| Android TV | Hulu app |
FAQs
What is the Arthur Ashe Courage Award?
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award recognizes a person from the sports world whose impact extends beyond athletic competition.
Who will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance in 2026?
Jim Abbott will receive the 2026 Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Abbott is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 10 seasons and famously threw a no-hitter in 1993 despite being born without a right hand.
Who is receiving the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2026 ESPYs?
Scott Ruskan will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2026 ESPYs.
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