You’re sitting on the couch, the NBA Finals just wrapped up, and the MLB season is hitting that long, hazy mid-summer stretch. You start wondering when the red carpet actually rolls out for the best in sports. Honestly, the timing of the ESPY Awards—the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards—is one of those things people always forget until the week of. It’s basically the "Oscars of Sports," but with way more sneakers and significantly fewer boring acceptance speeches.
If you’re looking for the short answer to when is the ESPYS, the 2026 ceremony is tentatively slated for July. While ESPN usually locks in the specific Wednesday or Thursday night several months in advance, history tells us it almost always falls during the week after the MLB All-Star Game. Why? Because it’s the only day of the year when none of the big four North American sports leagues have a game scheduled. It’s the "dark day" on the calendar, and ESPN fills that void with a star-studded gala.
Why the Mid-July Timing Matters
The scheduling isn't random. If you’ve ever noticed why the ceremony feels so relaxed, it’s because the athletes are actually available. The NFL players are just weeks away from training camp. NBA players are deep in the off-season. NHL guys are usually on a boat somewhere. By putting the show in mid-July, ESPN ensures that the biggest names in the world—from Caitlin Clark to Patrick Mahomes—can actually show up in Los Angeles without missing a practice.
Usually, the show happens at the Dolby Theatre or the Microsoft Theater (now Peacock Theater) in L.A. If you’re trying to plan a watch party, you’re looking at a live broadcast that typically starts at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT.
The Evolution of When is the ESPYS and How It’s Changed
The show hasn't always been this massive July spectacle. Back in the early 90s, when the ESPYS first launched, they actually held the ceremony in February or March. It felt more like a wrap-up of the previous calendar year. But that caused a major problem: the momentum was gone. By March, nobody really wanted to talk about a touchdown from the previous September.
📖 Related: Most majors golf list: Why the record books look different in 2026
Moving it to July was a stroke of marketing genius. It turned a slow news cycle into a global conversation.
Dealing with the 2026 Sports Calendar
2026 is a weird year for sports, though. We’ve got the FIFA World Cup happening in North America across June and July. This creates a bit of a logistical headache for the ESPY planners. With World Cup matches dominating the sports landscape throughout July, there’s been some chatter among industry insiders about whether the ESPYS might shift slightly to avoid clashing with the knockout stages.
Historically, ESPN wants the undivided attention of the sports world. If the World Cup final is around July 19th, expect the ESPYS to either tuck in just before or immediately after that window. You’ve basically got to juggle the MLB All-Star break, which is usually the third week of July, and the global soccer schedule.
What to Expect from the 2026 Ceremony
When you finally sit down to watch, the "When" is only half the battle. The "Who" is what drives the ratings. The ESPYS are unique because they blend fan voting with a panel of experts, which leads to some... let's call them "interesting" results.
💡 You might also like: Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills: Why This Rivalry Is the Real Heart of the NFL
- The Best Athlete, Men's Sports: This usually goes to whichever superstar just hoisted a trophy. If the Dodgers or the Chiefs have another big year, expect those jerseys on the red carpet.
- The Best Athlete, Women's Sports: This has become the marquee award of the night. With the explosion of the WNBA and women's college basketball, this category often draws more social media engagement than the men's side.
- The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: This is the soul of the show. It’s named after Jim Valvano, whose 1993 speech ("Don't give up... don't ever give up") is arguably the most famous moment in sports television history.
I’ve watched these for twenty years, and honestly, the comedy bits are hit or miss. Remember when Drake hosted? Or when Peyton Manning roasted Kevin Durant? Those moments are what make the live broadcast worth it. Even if you don't care about who wins "Best Play," you’re there for the monologues and the inevitable awkward camera cuts to an athlete who didn't find the joke funny.
The Venue Factor
For years, the show was synonymous with Los Angeles. However, we've seen them pivot before. During the pandemic, it was a virtual/studio hybrid. But for 2026, all signs point back to the L.A. Live campus. The city will already be buzzing with World Cup fever, so the energy in the building is likely to be higher than usual.
How to Watch and Follow Along
If you don't have cable, don't panic. While the show airs live on ABC and is usually simulcast on ESPN, the streaming era has made it easier to catch up.
- ABC/ESPN: The traditional way. Most people still watch it live here for the "real-time" experience.
- ESPN+: Typically, the ceremony is available for streaming shortly after or during the broadcast.
- YouTube/Social Media: Let’s be real—most of us watch the highlights. ESPN’s social team is fast. If a major upset happens or a heartfelt speech goes viral, it’ll be on your X (Twitter) or TikTok feed within three minutes of it happening on stage.
The red carpet usually starts an hour or two before the main event. It’s a weird mix of high fashion and "I'm a 300-pound lineman wearing a custom velvet suit." It’s great.
Misconceptions About the Voting
A lot of people think the ESPYS are a "rigged" popularity contest. Sorta, but not entirely. While the fan vote is a huge component—which is why big-market teams like the Yankees or Lakers often over-perform—the "Best Team" and "Best Championship Performance" categories are heavily vetted. It’s not just about who has the most followers; it’s about who actually dominated their sport.
Preparing for the 2026 ESPY Season
If you’re a bettor or just a hardcore fan, you should start looking at the "Best Play" nominees around late June. That’s when the bracket-style voting usually goes live on ESPN’s website. It’s one of the few times fans get a direct say in who takes home the silver trophy.
The exact date announcement usually drops in May. Keep an eye on SportsCenter around the time the NBA Playoffs are heating up. That’s when the first promos usually start hitting the airwaves.
🔗 Read more: Atlanta Falcons Color Rush: Why Fans Still Crave the Red Mono
Actionable Next Steps for 2026:
- Mark your calendar for the second week of July: This is your "safe bet" window for when the ceremony will occur.
- Follow ESPN on social media in May: This is when the official date and the host will be revealed.
- Check the World Cup 2026 schedule: Since the tournament is in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, any games scheduled for Los Angeles will directly influence the ESPYS date to avoid traffic and hotel gridlock.
- Vote in June: Go to the ESPN website once the nominations are out to make sure your favorite underdog actually stands a chance against the big-name superstars.