The 2026 ESPYs delivered emotional speeches, championship celebrations and viral moments. Check them all out here!
Every summer, the ESPYS bring together the biggest stars in sports for a night dedicated to celebrating championships, unforgettable performances and the athletes who defined the past year. While trophies are certainly the main attraction, the annual show has also become known for emotional speeches, celebrity appearances, viral moments and surprises that keep fans talking long after the final award is handed out.
The 34th annual ESPYS took place Wednesday night at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. Hosted by Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernández, the ceremony welcomed athletes from every corner of the sports world alongside entertainers, actors and musicians for one of the year’s biggest celebrations of athletic excellence.
Fresh off ending a 53-year championship drought, the New York Knicks naturally became one of the biggest storylines of the evening. But they weren’t the only ones to steal the spotlight. From heartfelt acceptance speeches to well-deserved award winners and memorable performances, this year’s ESPYS offered plenty of moments worth revisiting. Here’s a look at the biggest moments from the 2026 ESPYS:
There wasn’t a bigger winner Wednesday night than Jalen Brunson. The Knicks superstar won Best Championship Performance, Best Athlete — Men’s Sports and Best NBA Player, then capped off the evening by joining his teammates on stage after New York was named Best Team. It was the perfect ending to one of the greatest individual and team seasons in franchise history.
If there was one team everyone was talking about, it was New York. Between Brunson’s multiple trophies, G Anunoby winning Best Play, and the Knicks taking home Best Team, the ceremony felt like one final championship celebration for the city.
Stephen Curry accepted the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award for the work of Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation. During his emotional speech, Curry reflected on Oakland’s impact on his life and encouraged others to “find your Oakland,” reminding everyone how athletes can create change far beyond the court.
Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu added another chapter to her remarkable comeback story by winning Best Breakthrough Athlete. After stepping away from skating before returning to capture Olympic gold, she made one of the night’s feel-good moments.
Hosting the ESPYS for the first time, the Saturday Night Live comedian mixed sports knowledge with plenty of humor throughout the evening. His opening monologue and interactions with athletes helped keep the show moving while giving it a fresh personality.
OG Anunoby earned Best Play thanks to his iconic tip-in during the NBA Finals. His acceptance speech stayed true to his famously reserved personality, creating one of the funniest — and most relatable — moments of the night.
Former NBA center Jason Collins was posthumously recognized with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. His legacy as a trailblazer who changed the conversation around LGBTQ+ representation in professional sports was celebrated in one of the ceremony’s most emotional tributes.
Former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, reflecting on a career that inspired generations after reaching the majors while being born without a right hand. His speech earned one of the longest standing ovations of the night.
Before the awards even began, the red carpet featured athletes and celebrities showing off some of the night’s best fashion. Simone Biles, Kevin Durant, Karl-Anthony Towns, Lindsey Vonn and countless others helped make arrivals almost as entertaining as the show itself.
U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service after helping rescue 165 people during catastrophic flooding in Texas. His story served as a reminder that heroism isn’t limited to the playing field.
The Las Vegas Aces superstar took home Best Athlete — Women’s Sports, adding yet another accolade to an already legendary career. Wilson wasn’t in attendance, but the win further solidified her place among the biggest stars in sports today.
Olympic snowboard legend Chloe Kim made a surprise appearance to present the award for the Best Record-Breaking Performance to her boyfriend, Myles Garrett, creating one of the night’s sweetest moments. Garrett’s genuine reaction immediately made the rounds across social media.
The ESPYS once again mixed sports with entertainment, featuring performances from De La Soul, Ghostface Killah and Slick Rick, giving the show a classic Hip-Hop feel that matched its New York setting. Their set provided the perfect soundtrack to cap off an evening celebrating excellence both on and off the field.
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Biggest Moments From The 2026 ESPYS was originally published on cassiuslife.com
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