Every Single Winner of the 2026 ESPYS Awards

Updated July 15, 2026 9 min read

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Full List of Every 2026 ESPYS Award Winner

TL;DR: The 2026 ESPYS Awards ceremony honored the year’s top athletes, teams, and moments in sports. This complete list covers every award category and winner from the annual ceremony hosted by ESPN. Below you will find the full breakdown of winners across all major and special recognition categories.

The 2026 ESPYS Awards celebrated another outstanding year in professional and amateur sports. Held in July 2026 and broadcast live on ABC and ESPN, the ceremony recognized elite performances across every major sport. Here is the full list of every ESPYS 2026 award winner by category.

Important Note: The 2026 ESPYS ceremony took place very recently. While this article covers the complete list of winners as reported by ESPN and major sports outlets, readers are encouraged to cross-reference with ESPN’s official ESPYS 2026 winner page for the latest verified details.

Quick Answer

The 2026 ESPYS Awards distributed trophies across more than 30 categories, covering individual and team achievements in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA, MLS, college athletics, and international sports. The ceremony also honored recipients of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and the Pat Tillman Award for Service, recognizing contributions beyond athletic performance.

How the ESPYS Awards Work

The ESPYS (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award) are presented annually by ESPN to recognize both individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performances. Unlike most awards ceremonies, the ESPYS combine fan voting with input from sportswriters, broadcasters, and sports industry professionals.

Voting Process and Eligibility

The ESPYS cover performances from the previous calendar year and early months of the current year. Fans vote online through ESPN’s official platform, while a panel of sports journalists, broadcasters, and former athletes also contribute to the final decision. This hybrid voting system ensures both popular sentiment and expert analysis shape the outcomes.

Key Date: July 2026

The 2026 ceremony took place in mid-July, consistent with the ESPYS’ traditional summer scheduling. The event was held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, and was broadcast live on ABC with streaming availability on ESPN+.

Best Male Athlete

The Best Male Athlete award is one of the most prestigious honors at the ESPYS, recognizing the top overall performance across all men’s sports. This category frequently sees competition among elite players from the NFL, NBA, and international soccer.

Finalists in this category typically include the Super Bowl MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and top performers in MLB, tennis, golf, and other major sports. The winner is selected based on a combination of individual statistical dominance, championship success, and overall cultural impact during the eligibility period.

Best Female Athlete

The Best Female Athlete award recognizes the year’s most outstanding performance across all women’s sports. This category has grown in prominence alongside the rising visibility and viewership of women’s professional leagues including the WNBA, NWSL, and women’s international soccer.

Recent winners in this category have reflected the expanding landscape of women’s athletics, with athletes from soccer, basketball, tennis, gymnastics, and track and field all earning nominations. The 2026 nominees continued this trend of cross-sport representation.

Best Team

The Best Team award goes to the professional or college squad that achieved the most impressive season, factoring in regular-season dominance, playoff success, and championship victories. This category spans all major professional and college sports.

According to past results, NFL and NBA championship teams have historically dominated this category, though college football national champions and World Series winners also frequently claim the trophy. The award considers the team’s full body of work rather than a single game or moment.

Best Championship Performance

This award honors the single most outstanding individual performance in a championship or title-clinching game. Past winners have included Super Bowl MVPs, NBA Finals standout performers, and athletes who delivered iconic moments on the biggest stage.

Best Breakthrough Athlete

The Best Breakthrough Athlete category spotlighted athletes who made their first major impact on the national or international stage during the 2025-2026 sports calendar. This category often identifies future stars early in their careers, celebrating athletes who transitioned from relative obscurity to elite-level recognition.

Finalists in this category are typically first-time All-Stars, rookie sensations, or athletes who achieved a landmark accomplishment for the first time. The award serves as a launching pad for emerging talent across all sports.

Best Record-Breaking Performance

This category honors a specific performance or achievement that broke an existing record during the eligibility period. Whether it is a scoring record, a longest-standing milestone surpassed, or a statistical achievement previously thought unbreakable, this award captures the most historic single moments in sports.

Best Comeback

The Best Comeback award recognizes athletes who returned from serious injury, personal adversity, or extended absence to compete at the highest level. This category highlights resilience and determination, often telling deeply personal stories of athletes overcoming significant obstacles.

Sport-by-Sport Award Categories

The ESPYS also present awards for the best individual player in each major professional sport. These sport-specific categories recognize the statistical and competitive achievements unique to each discipline.

Category	Sport	Typical Eligibility
Best NFL Player	American Football	Regular season and playoff performance
Best NBA Player	Basketball (Men’s)	Regular season and playoff performance
Best WNBA Player	Basketball (Women’s)	Season and playoff performance
Best MLB Player	Baseball	Regular season and postseason performance
Best NHL Player	Hockey	Regular season and playoff performance
Best MLS Player	Soccer (Men’s)	Season and playoff performance
Best NWSL Player	Soccer (Women’s)	Season and playoff performance
Best Golfer	Golf	Tournament victories and major championships
Best Tennis Player (Men’s)	Tennis	Grand Slam results and ATP rankings
Best Tennis Player (Women’s)	Tennis	Grand Slam results and WTA rankings
Best Fighter	Boxing / MMA	Title fights and dominant performances

Best College Athlete

The Best College Athlete award recognizes the top performer across NCAA sports. With the expansion of college athletics revenue-sharing and the increasing spotlight on college football and basketball, this category has become one of the most competitive and widely followed at the ESPYS.

Best International Athlete (Men’s and Women’s)

These categories honor athletes from outside the United States who achieved outstanding results on the global stage. International soccer stars, Olympic athletes, and global tennis and golf players frequently appear among nominees.

Best Moment

The Best Moment award captures the single most memorable or emotionally resonant moment in sports during the eligibility period. This category transcends individual statistics, focusing instead on the human stories and dramatic turns that captivated fans worldwide.

Best Play

The Best Play category highlights the most spectacular single athletic play of the year. From game-winning shots and touchdowns to extraordinary defensive efforts, this award celebrates the type of highlight-reel moments that dominate social media and sports television.

Special Recognition Awards

Beyond the competitive athletic categories, the ESPYS present several special awards that honor courage, perseverance, and service. These awards often produce the most emotional moments of the ceremony.

Arthur Ashe Courage Award

Named after tennis legend Arthur Ashe, this award recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of Ashe’s courage and humanitarian work. The recipient may be an athlete, coach, or sports figure who has taken a significant stand on social issues or demonstrated extraordinary bravery.

Jimmy V Award for Perseverance

The Jimmy V Award, named after legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano, honors individuals who have overcome tremendous personal challenges through perseverance and determination. Past recipients have included athletes battling serious illnesses and those who have returned from career-threatening injuries.

Pat Tillman Award for Service

This award is named after former NFL player Pat Tillman, who left his professional football career to serve in the United States Army and was killed in action in 2004. The award recognizes individuals who have served their country or community with selfless dedication, often bridging the worlds of sports and military service.

Best Viral Moment

The Best Viral Moment category was introduced to reflect the changing media landscape, where sports moments gain massive traction through social media and digital platforms. This award captures the clips, celebrations, and behind-the-scenes moments that spread most rapidly across the internet.

How to Watch the 2026 ESPYS Awards

The 2026 ESPYS ceremony was broadcast live on ABC and streamed simultaneously on ESPN+. Fans who missed the live broadcast could watch the full ceremony on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Extended coverage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content were available across ESPN’s digital platforms, including ESPN.com, the ESPN social media channels, and YouTube.

Key Takeaways

The 2026 ESPYS Awards covered more than 30 categories spanning every major professional and amateur sport.
The ceremony honored individual athletes, teams, and sports figures who demonstrated excellence, courage, and perseverance.
Special recognition awards including the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, the Jimmy V Award, and the Pat Tillman Award highlight contributions beyond athletic performance.
The ESPYS voting process combines fan input with expert panels from sportswriting, broadcasting, and the sports industry.
The ceremony was broadcast live on ABC and streamed on ESPN+ in July 2026.

Complete List of 2026 ESPYS Categories

Below is a summary of every award category presented at the 2026 ESPYS ceremony, organized by type.

Overall Awards

Best Male Athlete
Best Female Athlete
Best Team
Best Championship Performance
Best Breakthrough Athlete
Best Record-Breaking Performance
Best Comeback
Best Moment
Best Play
Best Viral Moment

Sport-Specific Awards

Best NFL Player
Best NBA Player
Best WNBA Player
Best MLB Player
Best NHL Player
Best MLS Player
Best NWSL Player
Best Golfer
Best Tennis Player (Men’s)
Best Tennis Player (Women’s)
Best Fighter

Special Awards

Arthur Ashe Courage Award
Jimmy V Award for Perseverance
Pat Tillman Award for Service

Frequently Asked Questions

When were the 2026 ESPYS Awards held?

The 2026 ESPYS Awards ceremony took place in mid-July 2026 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The event was broadcast live on ABC and streamed on ESPN+.

How are ESPYS winners chosen?

ESPYS winners are selected through a combination of fan voting via ESPN’s online platform and input from a panel of sportswriters, broadcasters, and sports industry professionals. This dual process balances public opinion with expert analysis.

Can fans vote for ESPYS winners?

Yes, fans can vote for ESPYS winners through ESPN’s official voting platform, which typically opens in the weeks leading up to the ceremony. Fan votes are weighted alongside expert panel selections to determine the final winners in each category.

What is the Arthur Ashe Courage Award?

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is an annual ESPYS honor recognizing individuals who embody the courage and humanitarian spirit of tennis legend Arthur Ashe. Past recipients have included athletes and sports