The 2026 Met Gala had no shortage of athlete participation on Monday.
This year’s theme was “Costume Art,” and the event brought some notable names and costumes to New York. WNBA star Angel Reese and Olympians Alisa Liu and Lindsey Vonn were among the athletes who put on the most fashionable stances, and other eye-catching looks included four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka’s unique fit.
The 2026 Met Gala has been well-attended by athletes from the beginning. Tennis star Venus Williams is co-chairing the event, and WNBA champion A’ja Wilson, ballet dancer Misty Copeland and Paralympic athlete Amy Mullins are part of the organizing committee.
Here are the most memorable athlete appearances from the 2026 Met Gala.
venus williams
Williams opted for an all-black look with a diamond-encrusted necklace.
Alyssa Liu
Liu, who won the gold medal in figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, wore a red dress with ruffles at the hem.
Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Alisa Liu appears at the Met Gala ⛸️✨
📸 Andy Klopa/Invision/AP pic.twitter.com/XLuwFT6JNU
— espnW (@espnW) May 4, 2026
serena williams
Ms. Williams wore a sparkling silver dress with a branch attached to one leg.
Naomi Osaka
Osaka’s all-white outfit had red leaves sticking out, including her white hat. The tennis star then took off her jacket and hat to show off her red dress on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Wilson, a member of the organizing committee, wore a bronze dress for her first Met Gala appearance.
The Atlanta Dream star returned to the Met Gala rocking a long pink dress.
The Dallas Wings star wore a unique-looking suit with paint splatters.
Rookie of the Year 🤝 MET Rookie
Paige Backers dazzles at the 2026 Met Gala! pic.twitter.com/WhGQjD1Slp
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 4, 2026
Burrow and Jefferson, former teammates at LSU, suited up together.
Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson attend 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 paired his white suit with his wife, singer Ciara’s gold dress and crown.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
The professional wrestler and movie star stepped out in casual attire with his wife Lauren Hashian.
lindsay vonn
Nearly three months after sustaining a compound fracture in her left foot at the Winter Olympics, Vonn walked the carpet at the Met Gala.
dwayne wade
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer sported a sleeveless look with his wife Gabrielle Union.
Butler kept it simple with an all-black look for the Golden State Warriors star’s Met Gala debut.
The NBA superstar is no stranger to bold fashion. He was wearing an all-blue coat and pants look, with no shirt underneath.
Irene Gu
Foam with the theme of fit for freestyle skiers. There was also a scene where she blew bubbles while taking pictures.
carson hosever
The NASCAR racer wore a sophisticated look the day after the NASCAR Cup Series Wurth 400.
firefighting suit #MetGala suit. pic.twitter.com/zaucP6Cfr2
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 4, 2026
