The Met Gala returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2026 with a strong showing from the world of sports, as elite athletes once again took center stage at one of fashion’s most prestigious nights.
Venus Williams served as a co-chair, while A’ja Wilson joined the host committee. Held annually on the first Monday in May, the event saw athletes swap their competitive gear for high-fashion statements, highlighting the growing intersection between sport and style.
Among the attendees were Serena Williams, Russell Wilson, Eileen Gu, Alysa Liu, and Naomi Osaka. Basketball stars Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, and Russell Westbrook also made appearances, alongside NFL standouts Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson.
Lindsey Vonn delivered one of the night’s most notable moments, walking the red carpet without crutches for the first time since her crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Though she had been expected to begin walking unaided later in the week, she chose the Met Gala as the setting for that milestone.
In motorsports, Carson Hocevar marked a rare crossover appearance, becoming the first NASCAR driver to attend the event since Jeff Gordon in 2010. His presence, highlighted during the red carpet broadcast, reflected the growing visibility of motorsports within mainstream fashion and entertainment circles.
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The gala also coincided with Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden. The timing created a notable scheduling clash, forcing several high-profile figures with ties to both sport and entertainment to navigate overlapping commitments on one of the busiest nights in New York’s calendar.
Stephen Curry Debuts All-Black Look At 2026 Met Gala
Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry appeared in coordinated black outfits in line with the event’s theme. The NBA legend wore a tailored black suit layered under a long hooded trench coat, with gloves and sunglasses.
The look drew attention online for its resemblance to a Sith-inspired style, with fans comparing him to Darth Vader. Ayesha wore a sheer strapless dress over a bodysuit, paired with a leather jacket featuring oversized sleeves.
Curry spoke about attending the event while the Golden State Warriors were not in the playoffs after finishing 37-45 and losing in the play-in tournament to the Phoenix Suns.
He said, “On one hand, I love it. On the other hand, that means I’m not playing basketball right now. It’s fun to have a different crew and crowd of guys that I compete against, showing themselves in the fashion world. It’s amazing,”
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The couple also discussed their approach to wardrobe organization. For the unversed, they last attended the Met Gala together in 2021.
