Key Takeaways
- Slick Rick, Ghostface Killah and De La Soul will perform at the 2026 ESPY Awards.
- The event will air live from Lincoln Center in New York City on July 15, 2026.
- Marcello Hernández will host the ceremony.
The 2026 ESPY Awards are set to feature a unique blend of sports and music with performances by hip-hop legends Slick Rick, Ghostface Killah, and De La Soul alongside the Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team from Georgia. The event will air live on ABC from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City on Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT.
Slick Rick, a member of Wu-Tang Clan and recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2023, will perform alongside Ghostface Killah, who is set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 14. De La Soul, known for their Grammy win in 1998 for 'Feel Good Inc.', will also grace the stage.
The Savannah Bananas, a barnstorming baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia, will perform as part of the entertainment lineup. This marks the third consecutive year that hip-hop performers have been featured at the ESPY Awards, with previous performances by Busta Rhymes, Clipse, and LiAngelo Ball (GELO) at the 2025 ESPYs.
Marcello Hernández, a SNL star, will host this year's ceremony. The show will also be streamed on ABC, ESPN App, Hulu, Disney+, and ABC Video on Demand, ensuring that viewers can watch it across different time zones and platforms.
The 2026 ESPY Awards have been a staple of American television since 2015 (with the exception of 2020), celebrating excellence in sports. This year's lineup promises to be an exciting mix of athletic achievements and musical performances, making it a must-watch for fans of both sports and hip-hop.
With the addition of these renowned artists, the ESPYs continue to expand their entertainment offerings, ensuring that viewers are entertained by a diverse range of talent. The performance schedule is expected to include highlights from all three acts, providing a memorable experience for those tuning in.
