Saturday Night Live Superstar Marcelo Hernandez has been tapped to host ESPN’s 2026 ESPYs, a high-profile hosting event for up-and-coming comedic talent.
The ESPYs return to New York after more than 25 years in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and this year’s episode is scheduled to take place at the David Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15. The awards ceremony, which honors the best of the year in sports, will be broadcast on ABC and streamed on the ESPN app.
Naturally, Hernandez emerged as a true star SNLdeveloping several recurring characters for the NBC late night show. He also debuted his first comedy special on Netflix, Marcelo Hernandez: American boyearlier this year.
He joins a long list of comedy and sports legends who have hosted the ESPYs over the years, 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.
“I started doing comedy 10 years ago, in Cleveland, Ohio, and I would take the 12-hour train to New York to sell comedy tickets on the street in Greenwich Village in exchange for stage time,” Hernandez said. “It’s such an honor and, frankly, crazy to be hosting the ESPYS this year in New York. I’m sure the energy will be amazing.”
“Marcelo is one of the most enthusiastic young comedians today. His genuine enthusiasm for sports and ties to New York City make him a natural fit to host this year’s ESPYS,” added Craig Lazarus, ESPN Vice President and Executive Producer of the ESPYS. “We are excited to partner with him to celebrate the best moments in sports and look forward to the new version he will bring to the show.”
The ESPYs debuted in 1993 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden before moving to Radio City Music Hall. She left New York in 2000, heading west.
The show is co-produced by ESPN and Full Day Productions, the live production arm of Words + Pictures and Fanatics Studios, a Fanatics and OBB company. The show is produced by Connor Shell, Dave Chamberlain and Jennifer Aiello for Full Day and Michael D. Ratner, Kfir Goldberg and Camille Maracci for Fanatics Studios.
