The ESPY Awards returned to New York City on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 [2], for the first time since 1999 [1].
The return marks a significant shift for the ceremony, bringing the event back to its historic home in the U.S. after more than 25 years away [4]. By relocating the production to a major global media hub, the organizers aim to reconnect the awards with the city's deep sporting heritage.
Marcello Hernández hosted the proceedings at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center [3]. The venue provided a formal backdrop for the celebration of athletic achievement, and the distribution of honors to the year's top performers.
During the event, attendees and nominees engaged in discussions regarding current global sports dynamics. Tim Ream addressed the competitive landscape of international soccer, specifically regarding the World Cup. "I'd back Spain over Argentina in the World Cup," Ream said [5].
While most reports indicate this is the first time the awards have visited New York since 1999 [1], some sources suggest this was only the second time the event has been held in the city since 2000. The discrepancy highlights the long gap in the ceremony's residency within the city limits.
The event serves as a bridge between the tradition of the early awards and the modern era of sports stardom. By centering the 2026 ceremony in New York, the ESPYs highlighted the city's continued role as a centerpiece of the American sporting landscape [4].
“The ESPY Awards returned to New York City on Wednesday, July 15, 2026”
The relocation of the ESPY Awards to New York City signifies a strategic effort to reclaim the event's original identity. By returning to the city after a quarter-century, the organizers are leveraging the prestige of Lincoln Center to elevate the ceremony's stature while tapping into the dense concentration of athletes and media personalities based in the Northeast.
