The Met Gala 2026 held on Monday night in New York City was themed "Fashion Is Art," turning the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a living canvas.
While Hollywood stars and pop stars dominated the red carpet buzz, it was the world's elite athletes such as Venus Williams, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, and Stephen Curry who dominated the steps at the Big Apple. From WNBA stars Angel Reese and A'ja Wilson to Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu, these sportspersons swapped their kits for couture. Check the stunning pics here.
Athletes at the Met Gala 2026:
Venus Williams:
Serving as an official co-chair, Venus Williams turned her life story into fashion art. She wore a custom, crystal-encrusted black gown by Swarovski, inspired by her 2022 portrait at the National Portrait Gallery.
The centerpiece of her look was a sculptural neck plate that mirrored the Venus Rosewater Dish, the trophy awarded to Wimbledon champions. Venus noted the dress was filled with symbolism, including nods to her West African culture and the Watts Towers of Southern California.
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka delivered one of the most technical and dramatic looks of the evening. Collaborating with couturier Robert Wun, the Japanese tennis great arrived in a sculptural ivory coat adorned with red feathers.
In a stunning mid-carpet reveal, the coat gave way to a fitted, blood-red crystallized gown. The ensemble was a labor of love, reportedly taking over 3,200 hours of manual work and featuring a staggering 659,000 stitches to achieve its "shedding of the skin" aesthetic.
Serena Williams:
Not to be outdone by her sister, Serena Williams sparkled in a head-to-toe silver asymmetrical gown designed by Marc Jacobs.
Embracing the "Fashion is Art" theme with a metallic, statue-like finish, the 23-time Grand Slam champion paired the shimmering look with custom silver shoes and David Yurman jewels. It was a high-shine masterclass in power dressing that reinforced her status as a global style icon
Stephen Curry at Met Gala 2026:
NBA Hall of FamerStephen Curry andhis wife Ayesha decided to gofor a stylish monochromatic look.The Golden State Warriors forward sporteda classy, all-black custom outfit that utilized different textures to reflect the art theme. Going for a dark side vibe, Curry added a touch of class and subtlety to the gala.
Russell Wilson
NFL star Russell Wilson and Ciara continued their streak as the Met Gala's premier power couple. The duo arrived in custom Celia Kritharioti, with Russell channeling "inner royalty" in a white and gold ensemble that perfectly complemented Ciara's look. The gold accents provided a regal touch to the "Costume Art" theme, making them one of the most photographed pairs of the night.
The Rock - Dwayne Johnson at Met Gala 2026
Dwayne Johnson delivered arguably the most talked-about men's look of the night.Breaking traditional red-carpet norms, "The Rock" arrived in a custom Thom Browne ensemble featuring a black mohair tailcoat and bow tie paired with a matching pleated skirt.
Speaking on the carpet, Johnson explained the look was a tribute to his Polynesian heritage, where the lavalava is a symbol of strength. "In our culture, the most masculine men wear skirts," Johnson noted.
His tailcoat was a technical marvel itself, featuring over 350 meters of hand-pleated silk ribbons in a "skeletal composition."To top off the look, he wore a Jacob & Co.Billionaire III watch encrusted with 714 diamonds.