The 2026 Met Gala had no shortage of athlete presence Monday.
With “Costume Art” as this year’s theme, the event brought notable names and outfits alike to New York. WNBA star Angel Reese and Olympians Alysa Liu and Lindsey Vonn were among the athletes who put their most fashionable foot forward, with other eye-catching looks also including four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka’s unique fit.
Athletes were well represented in putting on the 2026 Met Gala from the start. Tennis star Venus Williams is an event co-chair, and WNBA champion A’ja Wilson, ballet dancer Misty Copeland and Paralympian Aimee Mullins are part of the host committee.
Here are the most memorable athlete looks from the 2026 Met Gala.
Venus Williams
Williams opted for an all-black look with a diamond-encrusted necklace.
Alysa Liu
Coming off a figure skating gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Liu wore a red dress with ruffled layers on the bottom.
Olympic gold medal figure skater Alysa Liu makes her way to the Met Gala ⛸️✨
📸 Andy Kropa/Invision/AP pic.twitter.com/XLuwFT6JNU
— espnW (@espnW) May 4, 2026
Serena Williams
Williams donned a shining silver dress with branches down one of her legs.
Naomi Osaka
Osaka’s all-white attire featured protruding red leaves, including on a white hat. The tennis star then took off the jacket and hat to unveil a red dress at the top of the Met Museum’s steps.
A member of the host committee, Wilson wore a bronze dress as she attended the Met Gala for the first time.
The Atlanta Dream star rocked a long pink gown as she made her return to the Met Gala.
The Dallas Wings star wore a suit with paint splattered over it for a unique look.
Rookie of the Year 🤝 Rookie of the MET
Paige Bueckers captivates for the 2026 Met Gala! pic.twitter.com/WhGQjD1Slp
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 4, 2026
Former teammates at LSU, Burrow and Jefferson rocked suits together.
Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson pulling up for the Met Gala 🔥
📷: AP pic.twitter.com/OvklH12Da8
— NFL (@NFL) May 4, 2026
The Golden State Warriors star and his wife, Ayesha, wore matching dark outfits.
Wilson matched his white suit with the gold dress and crown of his wife, singer Ciara.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
The pro wrestling and movie star went with a casual look alongside his wife, Lauren Hashian.
Lindsey Vonn
Nearly three months after suffering a complex left leg fracture at the Winter Olympics, Vonn walked the carpet at the Met Gala.
Dwyane Wade
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer showed off a sleeveless look alongside his wife, Gabrielle Union.
Butler kept it simple with an all-black look in the Met Gala debut for the Golden State Warriors star.
The NBA superstar is no stranger to bold fashion fits. He wore an all-blue coat and pants look with no shirt underneath.
Eileen Gu
Bubbles were the theme of the freestyle skier’s fit. There were even bubbles blown as she posed for photos.
Carson Hocevar
The NASCAR racer was suited up in a sleek look one day after the NASCAR Cup Series Wurth 400.
Traded the fire suit for a #MetGala suit. pic.twitter.com/zaucP6Cfr2
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 4, 2026
