The 2026 ESPYS completely took over New York City, and the red carpet arrivals at the Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center did not disappoint. Before the highly anticipated award ceremony hosted by Marcello Hernández officially kicked off, ESPN brought the fans right into the action. A talented crew of ESPN personalities—including Harry Lyles Jr., Samantha Rivera, Monica McNutt, and Kimberley Martin—hosted the official Legendary Sports Moments in 2026 | ESPYS Red Carpet special, presented by Miller Lite.
While checking out the high fashion from sports’ biggest stars, the ESPN crew spent the pre-show reminiscing about the athletic achievements that defined the year.
Reliving the Year’s Best Action
The 2026 sports calendar has been packed with historic performances, and the red carpet interviews provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on the absolute best moments. When asked to share their favorite highlights from the past year, the crew’s answers spanned across multiple sports:
- The Knicks’ Playoff Magic: Monica McNutt was quick to highlight the New York Knicks’ absolutely stunning comeback performance in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, a moment that sent shockwaves through the basketball world and solidified the team’s grit.
- Team USA’s Golden Goal: Another major highlight discussed was the incredible US Women’s Hockey team securing the gold medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The crew praised Megan Keller’s game-winning overtime goal against Canada and Hilary Knight’s record-setting tournament run.
A Star-Studded Guest List
The red carpet special wasn’t just about the hosts; it featured exclusive, on-the-fly interviews with massive athletes as they arrived at the David H. Koch Theater. The broadcast captured reactions from stars like Ilona Maher, Jayson Tatum, Allyson Felix, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Myles Garrett. To check out the full list of nominees and winners across all categories, fans can visit the official ESPN website.
Whether you missed the live broadcast or just want to rewatch the best interviews, the full red carpet special is a must-watch for any sports fan looking to celebrate an incredible year in athletics.
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