Marcello Hernández Announced as Host for 2026 ESPYS: Catch the Excitement on ABC and ESPN+

Live from New York, it’s the ESPYS! The spotlight will be on comedian Marcello Hernández as he steps up to host “The 2026 ESPYS Presented by Capital One,” as announced by ESPN and ABC today.

The prestigious awards event is scheduled to be broadcast live on ABC from the renowned David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, July 15, at 8/7c. Viewers can also catch the live stream on ESPN+ via the ESPN app, making it accessible to sports fans everywhere.

Craig Lazarus, ESPN’s vice president and executive producer for the ESPYS, expressed his excitement about Hernández’s role, stating, “Marcello is one of the most electric, young comedians today. His genuine enthusiasm for sports and his ties to New York City make him a natural fit to host this year’s ESPYS. We are excited to partner with him to celebrate the best moments in sports and look forward to the fresh take he’ll bring to the show.”

Hernández joins an illustrious list of former hosts, including big names like Serena Williams, LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Jimmy Kimmel, and Shane Gillis, who have all lent their star power to the event in previous years.

Hernández is the latest in a long line of sports and entertainment stars to host the show, including Serena Williams, LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Jimmy Kimmel and Shane Gillis.

This year, the ESPYS are making a return to New York City where they first began after many years of being hosted out west in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

This return to New York is especially meaningful for Hernández, who remembers his early days experiencing the city’s comedy scene.

“I started doing comedy 10 years ago, in Cleveland, Ohio, and I would take the train 12 hours to New York to sell comedy tickets on the street in Greenwich Village in exchange for stage time,” said Hernández. “It is an honor, and frankly feels crazy to be hosting the ESPYS this year in New York. I’m sure the energy is going to be great.”

Tune in to the ESPYS live at 8/7c July 15 on ABC, or stream it live on ESPN+ via the ESPN App. The show streams next day on Hulu, the ESPN App and ABC Video on Demand.

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