Fresh off another season on Saturday Night Live, Marcello Hernandez is headed to one of sports’ biggest stages. ESPN announced on Wednesday, June 3, that the comedian will host the 2026 ESPY Awards, set for July 15 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.
The annual awards show celebrates the most memorable athletes, performances, and moments from the past year in sports. This year's ceremony also marks a notable homecoming for the ESPYs, which are returning to New York for the first time in more than two decades. The event will air on ABC and stream through the ESPN App, with additional honorees and award recipients expected to be revealed closer to the ceremony.
For Hernandez, the hosting gig represents a full-circle moment. In a statement released by ESPN, the comedian reflected on the early days of his career, recalling how he traveled from Ohio to New York in pursuit of stage time.
“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,” Hernandez said. “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.”
While Hernandez is best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, sports have long been part of his background. Before breaking into comedy, he played soccer at John Carroll University.
That connection to athletics helped make him a natural choice for the role, according to ESPN executive producer Craig Lazarus.
“Marcello is one of the most electric young comedians today,” Lazarus said in a statement. “His genuine enthusiasm for sports and his ties to New York City make him a natural fit to host this year's ESPYS.”
He added that ESPN is looking forward to the “fresh take” Hernandez will bring to the broadcast.
Hernandez joins a lengthy list of athletes and entertainers who have previously hosted the ceremony, including Jimmy Kimmel, LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Serena Williams, Stephen Curry, John Cena, and Shane Gillis.
Beyond recognizing excellence in sports, the ESPYs continue to support the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was established by ESPN and legendary college basketball coach Jim Valvano following the inaugural ceremony in 1993.
