ESPN announces Saturday Night Live cast member as host of 2026 ESPYS
By Andrew Olson
Published:
We’re less than 2 months out from the ESPYS, and ESPN has named this year’s host. Marcello Hernández of Saturday Night Live fame will host this year’s sports awards show put on by The World Wide Leader.
This year’s ESPYS are scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, from David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. The show will air live on ABC and will also stream via ESPN+.
“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,” Hernández said in an ESPN release. “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.”
RELATED: Do you know the daily fantasy sports legal states? Underdog is legal in California and many of the best DFS apps are available in numerous states!
Your host for the 2026 ESPYS: Marcello Hernández 🎤
— ESPN (@espn) June 3, 2026
Watch live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15 at 8 PM ET on @ABCNetwork and stream on the ESPN App 🍿 pic.twitter.com/mgN2fTvLSf
Hernández is best known as a member of the Saturday Night Live cast, having recently completed his fourth season. He’s featured in sketches such as “Protective Mom,” “Immigrant Dad Talk Show,” and the “Domingo” series, along with his regular appearances on “Weekend Update.”
“Marcello is one of the most electric, young comedians today. His genuine enthusiasm for sports and his ties to New York City make him a natural fit to host this year’s ESPYS,” Craig Lazarus, ESPN Vice President and The ESPYS Executive Producer, said in a release. “We are excited to partner with him to celebrate the best moments in sports and look forward to the fresh take he’ll bring to the show.”
Last year’s awards were hosted by comedian Shane Gillis. Past hosts include Jimmy Kimmel, John Cena, LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, Stephen Curry, Sue Bird, Tracy Morgan and others.
Like our coverage? Make SDS a preferred source in your searches!
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
