Marcello Hernández Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Food Bank For NYC Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernández has been tapped to host the 2026 ESPYs for ESPN, in a high-profile hosting gig for the rising comedy talent.
The ESPYs are returning to New York after more than 25 years in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, with this year’s installment set to be held at the David Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15. The awards show, which honors the best of the year in sports, will air on ABC and stream on the ESPN app.
Hernández, of course, has emerged as a bona fide star at SNL, developing numerous recurring characters for the NBC late night sketch show. He also debuted his first Netflix comedy special, Marcello Hernández: American Boy, earlier this year.
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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 train 12 hours to New York to sell comedy tickets on the street in Greenwich Village in exchange for stage time,” said Hernández. “It is an honor, and frankly feels crazy to be hosting the ESPYS this year in New York. I’m sure the energy is going to be great.” “Marcello is one of the most electric, young comedians today. His genuine enthusiasm for sports and his ties to New York City make him a natural fit to host this year’s ESPYS,” added Craig Lazarus, ESPN vp and The ESPYS executive producer. “We are excited to partner with him to celebrate the best moments in sports and look forward to the fresh take he’ll bring to the show.”
The ESPYs debuted in 1993 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden before moving to Radio City Music Hall. It left New York in 2000 to go west.
The show is co-produced by ESPN, Full Day Productions, the live production arm of Words + Pictures and Fanatics Studios, a Fanatics and OBB company. The show is executive produced by Connor Schell, Dave Chamberlin and Jennifer Aiello for Full Day and Michael D. Ratner, Kfir Goldberg and Camille Maratchi for Fanatics Studios.
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