ABC made the announcement Wednesday, saying in a press release that Hernandez “will bring his signature humor and vibrant personality” to the ceremony. In a statement, Hernandez recalled his start in comedy a decade ago in Cleveland, Ohio, and taking a 12-hour train ride to New York to sell tickets on the street in Greenwich Village in exchange for stage time. “It is an honor, and frankly feels crazy to be hosting the ESPYs this year in New York,” he said. “I’m sure the energy is going to be great.”
The 2026 ESPY Awards will be held at the David H. Koch Theater, a venue that has previously hosted major awards shows. The event will be broadcast live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET and also stream on ESPN+. It will become available the following day on Hulu, the ESPN app, and ABC Video on Demand.
Hernandez joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2022 after gaining recognition for stand-up sets and social media comedy. His first Netflix special, American Boy, premiered in January 2026. The ESPYs have historically rotated between entertainers and sports figures as hosts, with recent presenters including Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, and Serena Williams.