Marcello Hernández Tapped to Host the 2026 ESPYS

The 2026 ESPY Awards are set to receive a jolt of fresh, comedic energy as Marcello Hernández has been officially named the host for this year’s ceremony. The event will broadcast live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York on Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on ABC.

Hernández, who recently wrapped his fourth season on Saturday Night Live, has quickly become one of the most recognizable faces in comedy. His rise to prominence was further cemented by the success of his debut comedy special, Marcello Hernández: American Boy, which premiered on Netflix earlier this year. At 28, the comedian brings a unique perspective to the stage, bolstered by his genuine passion for athletics—a background that includes playing soccer at the collegiate level at John Carroll University.

Reflecting on the opportunity, Hernández shared his excitement about returning to the city where he once honed his craft. “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,” he said in a statement. “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.”

Craig Lazarus, ESPN vice president and executive producer of the ESPYS, praised the selection, noting that Hernández’s “genuine enthusiasm for sports and his ties to New York City make him a natural fit to host this year’s ESPYS.”

Hernández joins a prestigious lineage of entertainers who have helmed the awards show, including Dennis Miller, Jamie Foxx, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and Shane Gillis, who hosted the previous year’s broadcast. The return to New York City is a homecoming of sorts for the event, which was held at the venue for its first seven years from 1993 to 1999, and again in 2021.

The 2026 ESPYS will be available to stream on the ESPN App in conjunction with the live ABC broadcast, with on-demand access following the next day on Disney+, Hulu, and ABC Video on Demand.