The 2026 ESPYS presented by Capital One are in the books, and let me tell you, it was a night to remember. From New York to Los Angeles, the biggest names in sports gathered to celebrate the moments that made us jump out of our seats. Hosted by ABC and streaming on ESPN+, the show delivered drama, emotion, and a few surprises. Here’s who walked away with the gold.
Let’s start with the night’s top honor: Best Championship Performance. Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks snagged that one, and honestly, could there be a more deserving guy? The man carried his team through the playoffs like a freight train. Meanwhile, Alysa Liu took home Best Breakthrough Athlete after her stunning season in figure skating. She’s not just a rising star—she’s a supernova.
The Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award? That went to Stephen Curry. Yep, Chef Curry isn’t just cooking on the court—he’s dishing out hope off it. In the college ranks, Indiana football’s Fernando Mendoza was named Best College Athlete in Men’s Sports, while UCLA’s Lauren Betts dominated Women’s Sports. And if you weren’t tearing up during Jim Abbott’s Jimmy V Award speech, you’re made of stone. The man is a legend.
Finally, Best Single-Game Performance went to Shohei Ohtani. Because of course it did. The dude does things on a baseball diamond that make you question reality. The 2026 ESPYS reminded us why we love sports—raw talent, resilience, and a little bit of swagger.