On a bustling Wednesday evening, the Lincoln Center in New York City was transformed into a fashion spectacle for the 2026 ESPY Awards, attracting a mix of sports legends, athletic icons, and their glamorous partners. However, not all attendees shone brightly under the spotlight, as some fashion choices left much to be desired.
Among the fashion misses was none other than Sports Illustrated swimsuit star Kate Upton. Known for her dazzling displays of style, she surprised many by choosing a rather dull royal-blue dress, straying away from her usual high-fashion allure.
Kate Upton, who is the wife of baseball’s own Justin Verlander, seemingly aimed for an elegant and understated appearance, yet her outfit did not quite hit the mark she usually sets.
While some stars opted for eye-popping, flamboyant outfits, others missed the mark entirely with their mundane choices. This unfortunate fashion faux pas secured NFL luminary Russell Wilson and ice skating sensation Madison Chock positions on the evening’s worst-dressed compilation.
The ESPY Awards, heralded as a cornerstone event in the sporting world, kicked off live at 8pm EST on ABC, promising an evening of both athletic celebration and unexpected sartorial statements.
Hosted by Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernández, the ESPYs honor individual and team athletic achievements across the pro sports industry.
Model Kate Upton wore a lackluster, royal blue strapless dress that appeared to be made from crushed velvet. She dress featured a slit at the thigh and a dramatic shape at the waist. She paired the look with gold strappy heels
Russell Wilson wore a light blue, silk blazer covered in animal print as he arrived on the red carpet, as well as an oversized black bowtie. He paired the look with black suit pants and a pair of patent leather dress shoes
Ice dancer Madison Chock wore a short, teal dress made out of tulle that featured oversized shoulders and a dramatic collar. She paired the look with gold heels and a simple, slick-back hairstyle
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, Olympic gold medalist figure skater Alysa Liu and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are among the big names nominated this year.
Upton wore a lackluster, royal blue strapless dress that appeared to be made from crushed velvet.
The dress featured a slit at the thigh and a dramatic shape at the waist, and she paired the look with gold strappy heels.
Wilson had too much going on with his light-blue silk blazer covered in animal print as he arrived on the red carpet, as well as an oversized black bowtie.
He paired the look with black suit pants and a pair of patent leather dress shoes.
Chock wore a short, teal dress made out of tulle that featured oversized shoulders and a dramatic collar.
She paired the look, which seemed more appropriate for ice dancing than the red carpet, with gold heels and a simple slicked-back hairstyle.
Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu was dressed for the wrong season in a sparkling pleated gold gown that looked like it should have been worn to a winter event.
The gown featured a gathered waist and a dramatic single-shoulder neckline with oversized floral detailing at the shoulder.
Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu was dressed for the wrong season in a sparkling pleated gold gown that looked like it should have been worn to a winter event. The gown featured a gathered waist and a dramatic single-shoulder neckline with oversized floral detailing at the shoulder
Volleyball player Harper Murray wore a black silk gown with a lace top and matching choker – but the dress didn’t seem to match her white Miu Miu purse at all. She tied the look together with black flip-flop heels
Comedian Fortune Feimster arrived on the red carpet wearing a Pepto-Bismol-pink linen suit, paired with a light pink T-shirt underneath. The suit seemed more appropriate for a summer wedding rather than the ESPY Awards
Volleyball player Harper Murray wore a black silk gown with a lace top and matching choker – but the dress didn’t seem to match her white Miu Miu purse at all.
She tied the look together with black flip-flop heels.
Comedian Fortune Feimster arrived on the red carpet wearing a Pepto-Bismol–pink linen suit, paired with a light pink T-shirt.
The suit seemed more appropriate for a casual summer wedding rather than the ESPY Awards.
What was he thinking? New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan looked like he was going to a theme party rather than the ESPYs. His suit featured a blue and purple swirl pattern, which he paired with Nike sneakers
Michael Rubin’s white party or the ESPY awards? Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins and his fiance, Daiyaana Muhammad, wore coordinating looks to the awards. Dion wore a draping, high-neck sleeveless top with a high-low hem, along with flowing, oversized white pants and a pair of neutral-colored loafers
Forgot something? Boston Celtics guard Jayson Tatum arrived to the ESPY awards in a green tank top, which he paired with forest green trousers and black loafers. He wore two silver necklaces, as well as what appeared to be a silver Rolex around his wrist