The 2025 ESPYS, an annual celebration of sports excellence, will take place on Wednesday, July 16, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The event will honor outstanding achievements in athletics over the past year, with notable athletes including Diana Taurasi and Alex Morgan confirmed to attend. The ceremony begins at 20:00 ET and will be hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, who expressed his excitement in a statement, saying, “I like sports so this should be a good time.”
With Gillis at the helm, the event promises to be both entertaining and memorable. According to Craig Lazarus, ESPN’s vice president and executive producer of the ESPYS, Gillis’ passion for sports made him an ideal choice for the role. The awards show will be broadcast live on ABC, with streaming options available on ESPN+. For those unable to watch the live broadcast, the ceremony will also be accessible on Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ the following day.
The evening will highlight several prestigious awards. Oscar Robertson, a Basketball Hall of Famer, will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Katie Schumacher-Cawley, head coach of the Penn State University women’s volleyball team, will be honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. The Pat Tillman Award for Service will be presented to first responders from Greater Los Angeles, along with former athletes and Erin Regan. Additionally, both Taurasi and Morgan will receive the Icon Award for their contributions to sports.
The 2025 ESPYS will also feature the Sports Humanitarian Awards, recognizing individuals who have made significant impacts off the field. Music will play a vital role in the event, with performances by Grammy-nominated rapper Busta Rhymes, the hip-hop duo Clipse, and rapper GELO. A special tribute segment will include an in memoriam performance by Grammy-nominated artist Tobe Nwigwe, featuring David Michael Wyatt.
As the ESPYS continue to shine a spotlight on athletic accomplishments and humanitarian efforts, this year’s ceremony is poised to be a significant celebration of sports and culture.