Sports stars, elite athletes and WAGs filled Lincoln Center in New York City for the 2026 ESPY Awards on Wednesday night, turning the red carpet into a major style showcase — though not every look scored a win.
One of the evening’s most surprising fashion misfires came from Sports Illustrated swimsuit star Kate Upton. Typically known for polished, figure-flattering red carpet moments, she arrived in a royal-blue dress that lacked the high-impact glamour fans have come to expect from her.
Upton, who is married to MLB pitcher Justin Verlander, seemed to be aiming for a sleek and understated approach, but the final result failed to make the statement she may have intended.
She was not alone in landing on the night’s worst-dressed list. While some celebrities leaned too heavily into bold, garish styling, others delivered looks that felt surprisingly flat, including NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and ice dancer Madison Chock.
The ceremony, widely billed as one of the biggest nights in sports, began at 8pm EST and aired live on ABC.
Hosted by Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernández, the ESPY Awards celebrate standout individual and team achievements from across the professional sports world.
Kate Upton wore a royal-blue strapless dress that appeared to be made from crushed velvet. The design featured a thigh-high slit and a dramatic waist detail, and she completed the look with gold strappy heels.
Russell Wilson arrived on the red carpet in a light-blue silk blazer covered in animal print, styled with an oversized black bow tie, black suit trousers and patent leather dress shoes.
Ice dancer Madison Chock wore a short, teal dress made out of tulle that featured oversized shoulders and a dramatic collar. She paired the look with gold heels and a simple, slick-back hairstyle
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, Olympic gold medalist figure skater Alysa Liu and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are among the big names nominated this year.
Upton wore a lackluster, royal blue strapless dress that appeared to be made from crushed velvet.
The dress featured a slit at the thigh and a dramatic shape at the waist, and she paired the look with gold strappy heels.
Wilson had too much going on with his light-blue silk blazer covered in animal print as he arrived on the red carpet, as well as an oversized black bowtie.
He paired the look with black suit pants and a pair of patent leather dress shoes.
Chock wore a short, teal dress made out of tulle that featured oversized shoulders and a dramatic collar.
She paired the look, which seemed more appropriate for ice dancing than the red carpet, with gold heels and a simple slicked-back hairstyle.
Figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu arrived in a drab brown dress that threatened to suck all the life out of the event.
Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu arrived in a drab brown dress that threatened to suck all the life out of the event. It was simultaneously too revealing – thanks to its plunging front and backless design, which showed off Liu’s lower-back tattoo – and too tame due to the autumnal color
Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu was dressed for the wrong season in a sparkling pleated gold gown that looked like it should have been worn to a winter event. The gown featured a gathered waist and a dramatic single-shoulder neckline with oversized floral detailing at the shoulder
Volleyball player Harper Murray wore a black silk gown with a lace top and matching choker – but the dress didn’t seem to match her white Miu Miu purse at all. She tied the look together with black flip-flop heels
The look was simultaneously too revealing – thanks to its plunging front and backless design, which showed off Liu’s lower-back tattoo – and too tame due to the autumnal color, which made her blond-highlighted hair look washed out.
Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu was dressed for the wrong season in a sparkling pleated gold gown that looked like it should have been worn to a winter event.
The gown featured a gathered waist and a dramatic single-shoulder neckline with oversized floral detailing at the shoulder.
Volleyball player Harper Murray wore a black silk gown with a lace top and matching choker – but the dress didn’t seem to match her white Miu Miu purse at all.
She tied the look together with black flip-flop heels.
Comedian Fortune Feimster arrived on the red carpet wearing a Pepto-Bismol–pink linen suit, paired with a light pink T-shirt.
The suit seemed more appropriate for a casual summer wedding rather than the ESPY Awards.
Comedian Fortune Feimster arrived on the red carpet wearing a Pepto-Bismol-pink linen suit, paired with a light pink T-shirt underneath. The suit seemed more appropriate for a summer wedding rather than the ESPY Awards
What was he thinking? New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan looked like he was going to a theme party rather than the ESPYs. His suit featured a blue and purple swirl pattern, which he paired with Nike sneakers
Michael Rubin’s white party or the ESPY awards? Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins and his fiance, Daiyaana Muhammad, wore coordinating looks to the awards. Dion wore a draping, high-neck sleeveless top with a high-low hem, along with flowing, oversized white pants and a pair of neutral-colored loafers
Forgot something? Boston Celtics guard Jayson Tatum arrived to the ESPY awards in a green tank top, which he paired with forest green trousers and black loafers. He wore two silver necklaces, as well as what appeared to be a silver Rolex around his wrist
