Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor attended the 2026 Met Gala on May 4 wearing ensembles in New York Knicks-blue and orange [1].

The appearance marked a rare public return for the couple to the high-fashion event. By incorporating team colors into their attire, the actors highlighted the intersection of celebrity fashion and regional sports loyalty during a critical playoff window.

The event took place at The Carlyle in New York City [1]. The couple's decision to attend the gala meant they missed the opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden [3]. Both Stiller and Taylor are lifelong fans of the Knicks and used the date night to show support for their hometown team [1].

This appearance was the couple's first time attending the Met Gala since 2016 [2]. Despite the conflict with the playoff schedule, Stiller remained optimistic about the team's performance.

"My heart is at Madison Square Garden," Stiller said during a video interview with Entertainment Tonight [0].

Stiller acknowledged the conflict between the red carpet and the court. "I’m going to miss the game, but I’m still rooting for the Knicks," he said [1].

While he was unable to attend the first game of the series, Stiller expressed confidence in the team's eventual success. "I think the Knicks will win the series, even if I’m not there to watch the first game," he said [2].

“"My heart is at Madison Square Garden."”

The choice to wear team colors at a prestigious event like the Met Gala reflects a growing trend of celebrities using high-fashion platforms to signal local identity and sports affiliation. By explicitly linking their attendance to the Knicks' playoff run, Stiller and Taylor leveraged the visibility of the gala to amplify support for the team during the Eastern Conference semifinals.