The 2026 ESPY Awards took place tonight, July 15, in New York with plenty of glitzy celebrity attendees.
Athletes and notable stars took to the carpet in eye-catching ensembles partnered with knockout footwear. Notably, many award show goers tried out the metallic shoe trend that has become a staple on red carpets as of late. From silver to champagne and gold, the likes of Olympian Simone Biles, model Jordyn Woods, alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin and rugby star Ilona Maher shared their own takes on the glitzy craze. These sparkling editions added drama and a touch of shine to their already dazzling outfits.
From gilded sandals to discoball-esque platforms, FootwearNews breaks down the best metallic shoe looks on the red carpet of the 2026 ESPYs.
Simone Biles
Simone Biles attends the 2026 ESPY Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15, 2026, in New York.
Gilbert Flores
Biles opted to match her high-low gown in champagne-colored heels. Not quite gold, these strappy shoes included open, rounded toes that transitioned into thick straps across the toes. The style also featured slimmer ankle straps secured in place with buckle closures. Stiletto heels hovering between 3 to 4 inches rounded out the pair, offering the petite athlete a welcome boost in height. The unique hem of Biles’ dress allowed her shoes to shine, literally, showing off that coordinating moment.
Jordyn Woods
Jordyn Woods attends the 2026 ESPY Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15, 2026, in New York.
Gilbert Flores
Woods went the sandal route, opting for Christian Louboutin Rosa Z sandals to match her chainmail-esque Oscar de la Renta gown. The laminated nappa leather silhouette had pointed open toes and curved straps that naturally followed the arch of Woods’ feet up to where they wrapped around her ankles.
Mikaela Shiffrin
Mikaela Shiffrin attends the 2026 ESPY Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15, 2026, in New York.
Gilbert Flores
Another gilded moment, this time, from Shiffrin. Like Woods’ footwear, the alpine skier’s shoes were strappy and open-toed. The gold-toned Christian Louboutin heels were a stellar match for her sequined gown. Unlike Woods’ sandals, this style sat lower on the ankles. A slit up the back of the athlete’s dress gave audiences a closer look at her chosen footwear, creating a subtle peekaboo effect.
Ilona Maher
llona Maher attends the 2026 ESPY Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15, 2026, in New York.
Getty Images
Breaking away from the all-gold theme, rugby star Maher sported silver sandals with towering platform soles. The square-toed footwear had thicker straps that gave the athlete extra support and stability as she walked on those towering soles. Going for extra height, these shoes also included thin block heels at 4 to 5 inches. That extra sky-high boost allowed a glimpse at the shoes beneath the hem of Maher’s lengthy gown.
The 2026 ESPY Awards were held Wednesday at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, bringing the awards back to New York for the first time since 1999. “Saturday Night Live” cast member Marcello Hernández hosted, while Jalen Brunson and Shohei Ohtani led the nominees with three nods each. This year’s show also introduced three social-only categories, including Best Tunnel Fit, which put athletes’ pregame style in the awards mix alongside Best Celebration and Best Sports Card.
