The 2026 ESPYS, held in New York City on Wednesday night, featured some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment on a typically slow sports calendar day. The ceremony followed a thrilling World Cup semifinal in Atlanta where Lionel Messi and Argentina secured a spot in their second consecutive World Cup final by defeating England. The final is set for Saturday, July 19th, 2026, in New Jersey against Spain.

Comedian and "Saturday Night Live" star Marcello Hernández opened the ESPYS with a boxing-style entrance accompanied by Mike Tyson, who humorously ripped off Hernández's watch. Hernández wasted no time roasting prominent sports figures, including Jake Paul and Tiger Woods. He joked, "Congratulations to Caleb," before adding, "And Tiger Woods will be on the cover of Grand Theft Auto."

Hernández also addressed Jake Paul directly, saying, "I must say, it's an honor to be here among so many great athletes, and Jake Paul," followed by, "Jake, that's just a joke. Don't fight me," and humorously suggested Paul fight his dad and stepdad instead, noting, "They're over 50, and I know that's how you like them. So, fight them instead."

On the awards front, the New York Knicks won Best Team, with Jalen Brunson accepting the Best Championship Performance award. Brunson also joked about teammate Josh Hart's absence from the stage during the acceptance speech.

The ESPYS brought together a mix of sports and entertainment personalities, providing a lively night of celebration and humor.

Sources