SNL Star Marcello Hernández to Host 2026 ESPYs Saturday Night Live comedian Marcello Hernández has been announced as the host of the 2026 ESPYs, a major milestone in his rising career. The awards show, which celebrates excellence in sports, will return to New York City after more than two decades spent in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The 2026 event is scheduled to take place at the David Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15, with the ceremony airing on ABC and streaming via the ESPN app. Hernández, known for his standout performances on SNL, has become a prominent figure in comedy through his recurring characters and his debut Netflix special, Marcello Hernández: American Boy, released earlier this year. His selection as host marks a significant step in his career, as he joins a list of legendary entertainers who have previously hosted the ESPYs, including Jimmy Kimmel, John Cena, LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, Shane Gillis, Stephen Curry, Sue Bird, and Tracy Morgan. The ESPYs, which debuted in 1993 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, have a storied history of hosting locations. After moving to Radio City Music Hall in the late 1990s, the show relocated to Las Vegas in 2000, a shift that coincided with the expansion of ESPN’s reach. The decision to bring the event back to New York underscores the city’s enduring cultural significance and its role as a hub for both sports and entertainment. Hernández expressed his excitement about the opportunity, reflecting on his journey in comedy. “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,” he said.#new_york_city #abc #marcello_hernandez #espy #david_koch_theater
