The 2026 ESPY Awards lit up Lincoln Square on July 15, proving Lindsey Vonn’s point: when the show moves to New York City, it’s guaranteed to deliver. The Olympic skiing legend, who attended alongside protégée Mikaela Shiffrin and Shiffrin’s fiancé Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, captured the evening’s energy perfectly: “When the ESPY’s move to NYC you know is gonna be good. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.”
The star-studded event at the David H. Koch Theater celebrated athletic excellence with red-carpet glamour, emotional tributes, and unforgettable moments. Shiffrin, fresh off a historic season that included Olympic gold and her record-extending World Cup dominance, walked the carpet as a finalist for Best Athlete in Women’s Sports. Her presence alongside Vonn — one of skiing’s all-time greats — symbolized the sport’s rising profile and the passing of the torch between generations.
Vonn’s enthusiastic endorsement of the Big Apple venue highlighted a refreshed, high-energy atmosphere that elevated the annual awards show. The move to New York brought fresh excitement, drawing top athletes from across disciplines and delivering the kind of spectacle sports fans crave.
Shiffrin’s extraordinary 2025-26 campaign — featuring a commanding Olympic slalom victory by 1.5 seconds, nine slalom World Cup wins, a record ninth discipline globe, and a sixth overall title — made her a standout nominee even if the top honor went elsewhere. Her season’s dominance has sparked widespread agreement that it may stand unmatched for years.
The night honored a wide array of winners and nominees across categories, from breakthrough stars to established icons. Vonn’s congratulations to all reflected the spirit of camaraderie that defined the evening, as athletes celebrated collective achievement amid individual brilliance.
With its vibrant NYC backdrop, the 2026 ESPYs reinforced its status as one of sports’ premier nights. As Vonn suggested, the change of scenery made it not just good — but unforgettable. For skiing fans and sports enthusiasts alike, seeing legends like Vonn and Shiffrin together on the red carpet was a highlight that perfectly embodied the evening’s magic.
