Marcello Hernández will host the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 15, giving the 2026 ESPYs a named host and a fixed 8 p.m. PT/ET start on ABC. For viewers, the practical change is simple: the show is set across broadcast TV, live-streaming services, and a next-day on-demand window.
Hernández at 8 p.m. PT/ET
Marcello Hernández is set to take the stage as host, a move that puts a Saturday Night Live star in front of one of ’s most visible events. The ESPY Awards recognize top athletic achievements and memorable sports moments of 2026, so the host slot is not just a ceremonial assignment; it helps set the tone for a show built around awards, clips, and live pacing.
The 2026 ESPYs will air on ABC at 8 p.m. PT/ET, which keeps the broadcast tied to a fixed prime-time window instead of a flexible streaming-only release. That matters because the audience is split across television and digital access, and the schedule now tells viewers exactly when the live show starts rather than leaving them to hunt for a replay later.
ABC, +, and live options
ABC will carry the show live, and the same broadcast will be available through DirecTV, Fubo, Sling and Hulu + Live TV. + will also livestream the 2026 ESPYs, but the streamer does not offer a free trial period for that viewing path. For a viewer deciding where to watch, that leaves a straightforward tradeoff between a live-TV bundle and a direct + stream.
Disney+/Hulu will add the show on July 16, creating a next-day option for anyone who misses the live window. That release pattern gives the event a short broadcast-to-streaming tail, which is useful for awards programming that still depends on same-night conversation but now has to serve viewers who prefer on-demand access.
Jalen Brunson leads nominees
Jalen Brunson leads the 2026 nominees, and his best athlete: men’s sports category places him alongside Lionel Messi, Shohei Ohtani and Matthew Stafford. The women’s side includes Hilary Knight, Nelly Korda, Mikaela Shiffrin and A’ja Wilson in best athlete: women’s sports, giving the show a nominee field with recognizable names across multiple sports.
How Marcello Hernández was chosen to host the 2026 ESPYs is not explained, but the booking is clear enough: the show has a host, a broadcast time, and several ways to watch. If you want it live, use ABC, a service that carries ABC, or +; if you can wait, Disney+/Hulu adds it on July 16.
