How to Watch the ESPYs: Live Streams, Host, Presenters, and Nominees

The ESPY Awards return to celebrate the best in sports over the past year. We've rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch the ESPYs, including live streaming options for those without cable or an antenna.

SNL star Marcello Hernández will host the 2026 ESPY Awards. If you're hoping to tune in, you've come to the right place. The ESPYs will air on ABC and be available to live stream on services like ESPN Unlimited, YouTube TV, and Fubo in the US. You can access your favorite watch options from anywhere with a VPN.

Free live stream events: How to watch Tour de France | Where to watch the World Cup

How to watch the ESPYs in the US

The ESPY Awards air on ABC in the US. The event officially kicks off on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. An ESPYs Preview Show airs on ESPN at 7 p.m., but the network won't carry the actual event.

Those without cable or an antenna have a few options for streaming ABC live. ESPN and ABC's sports streaming counterpart is ESPN Unlimited, which costs $30 a month and carries live streams of all ESPN linear networks (along with ESPN on ABC programming and streaming-exclusive content).

If you'd prefer a streaming app with additional channels beyond just those owned by ESPN/Disney, then a live TV streaming service might be of interest. YouTube TV is one of the best options on the market right now, and it even has a free trial for new customers. ABC is available in both the YouTube TV main plan and sports plan. The main plan usually costs $83 a month, but a limited-time deal can help bring your first five months down to just $68 a month. The sports plan typically costs $65 a month, but a limited-time deal will bring the price down to $55 a month for a full year.

Fubo is another popular live TV service with ABC and other key channels. Plans start at $65 a month for a Sports + News subscription, but new users can get $10 off their first month of service. ABC is also available in the pricier Pro and Elite plans, which can be a good fit for those seeking a more comprehensive cable alternative beyond just sports and news. Fubo plans also unlock access to ESPN Unlimited.

How to watch the ESPYs from anywhere

If you're traveling abroad, you can keep up with your usual streaming options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy tech tools that let people alter their virtual locations. This way, their favorite websites and apps work from anywhere — just like they would back home. Since the services we've highlighted require US payment methods, this option will work best for Americans who are simply traveling away from home right now.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market. It's fast, easy to use, and comes with several cybersecurity perks. You can learn more about the service in our official NordVPN review.

Where are the ESPYs held?

The ESPYs will be held at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York.

Who is nominated for this year's ESPYs?

Some of the top 2026 ESPYs nominees include Jalen Brunson, Lionel Messi, Shohei Ohtani, and Matthew Stafford for Best Athlete (Men's Sports), and Hilary Knight, Nelly Korda, Mikaela Shiffrin, and A'ja Wilson for Best Athlete (Women's Sports).

The Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Dodgers, Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA Football), Carolina Hurricanes, New York Knicks, Texas Longhorns (NCAA Softball), Seattle Seahawks, Team USA Men's Hockey, and Team USA Women's Hockey are nominated for Best Team.

Who will present at the ESPYs?

Simone Biles, Allyson Felix, Eileen Gu, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, DJ Khaled, Chloe Kim, Billie Jean King, Pat McAfee, Ilona Maher, French Montana, Tracy Morgan, Kevin Negandhi, Jake Paul, Oz Pearlman, Robin Roberts, Jayson Tatum, Mike Tyson, and Lindsey Vonn are among the scheduled presenters this year. Will Ferrell will also make a special appearance.

Note: VPN use is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content may constitute a breach of the terms of use for some services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

Click here to read article