Sports stars, athletes and WAGs descended on the Lincoln Center in New York City for the 2026 ESPY Awards on Wednesday evening... but some attendees completely missed the mark with their ensembles.

Among the worst of the worst-dressed was Sports Illustrated swimsuit bombshell Kate Upton. Though usually famous for flaunting her fabulous figure in eye-catching outfits, she opted for a lackluster royal-blue frock devoid of the high glamor she is usually known for. 

Upton, who is married to baseball star Justin Verlander, may have been attempting a chic, understated look, though it fell flat. 

Several other stars went over the top with their garish looks, while others seriously underwhelmed fans as they walked the red carpet, earning them a spot on the worst-dressed list, including NFL star Russell Wilson and ice dancer Madison Chock.

The awards show, branded as one of the biggest nights in sports, kicked off at 8pm EST with a live broadcast on ABC.

Hosted by Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernández, the ESPYs honor individual and team athletic achievements across the pro sports industry.

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, Olympic gold medalist figure skater Alysa Liu and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are among the big names nominated this year. 

Upton wore a lackluster, royal blue strapless dress that appeared to be made from crushed velvet. 

The dress featured a slit at the thigh and a dramatic shape at the waist, and she paired the look with gold strappy heels.

Wilson had too much going on with his light-blue silk blazer covered in animal print as he arrived on the red carpet, as well as an oversized black bowtie. 

He paired the look with black suit pants and a pair of patent leather dress shoes.

Chock wore a short, teal dress made out of tulle that featured oversized shoulders and a dramatic collar. 

She paired the look, which seemed more appropriate for ice dancing than the red carpet, with gold heels and a simple slicked-back hairstyle.

Figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu arrived in a drab brown dress that threatened to suck all the life out of the event.

The look was simultaneously too revealing – thanks to its plunging front and backless design, which showed off Liu's lower-back tattoo – and too tame due to the autumnal color, which made her blond-highlighted hair look washed out.

Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu was dressed for the wrong season in a sparkling pleated gold gown that looked like it should have been worn to a winter event. 

The gown featured a gathered waist and a dramatic single-shoulder neckline with oversized floral detailing at the shoulder.

Volleyball player Harper Murray wore a black silk gown with a lace top and matching choker – but the dress didn't seem to match her white Miu Miu purse at all. 

She tied the look together with black flip-flop heels.

Comedian Fortune Feimster arrived on the red carpet wearing a Pepto-Bismol–pink linen suit, paired with a light pink T-shirt.

The suit seemed more appropriate for a casual summer wedding rather than the ESPY Awards.

Jake Paul's fiancée, Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam, arrived in a tacky metallic pink gown with bizarre cut-out slits over her thighs and semi-sheer cutouts over her hips that looked poorly thought out thanks to the wrinkled material. 

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan looked like he was going to a theme party rather than the ESPYs. His suit featured a blue and purple swirl pattern, which he paired with Nike sneakers.

Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins and his fiancée, Daiyaana Muhammad, wore coordinating looks to the awards that would have been more at home at Michael Rubin's white party. 

Hawkins wore a draping, high-neck sleeveless top with a high-low hem, along with flowing, oversized white pants and a pair of neutral-colored loafers.

Muhammad complemented him in a white off-the-shoulder gown with a skirt that fanned out below the knee. 

Boston Celtics guard Jayson Tatum arrived at the ESPY Awards looking as if he'd forgotten to wear a jacket. He had on a green tank top by itself with forest green trousers, black loafers and two silver necklaces.

He may have ditched the jacket in order to show off his pricey watch, a striking  

He also wore two silver necklaces, as well as what appeared to be a skeletonized open-work Audemars Piguet Royal Oak on his wrist, which retails for a whopping $86,800 in stainless steel.