Sports stars like Venus Williams and Eileen Gu muscle their way onto Met Gala best AND worst dressed lists as athletes crash fashion extravaganza
The biggest names in sport stole the show on the first Monday in May as they muscled their onto the star-studded, A-list guest list for the 2026 Met Gala.
The exclusive, glitzy extravaganza held at the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art is the biggest night in fashion, often dubbed the Super Bowl of style.
However, Hollywood’s biggest stars found themselves upstaged by the world’s top athletes – for all the best and worst reasons.
Sporting superstars from across tennis, athletics, the NFL and winter sports stole the thunder of the globe’s most iconic actors, singers and models as many managed to land themselves a spot on the best and the worst dressed lists.
Venus Williams, stepping out with her new husband, headlined the sports stars taking the Met Gala by storm on Monday evening.
The tennis legend, 45, and her beau, Andrea Preti, made their debut at the annual event as a married couple, appearing on the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
However, Venus, despite being one of the co-chairs for this year’s fashion extravaganza, failed to make a splash, instead opting to play it safe.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner opted for a custom light-reflecting crystal black gown by Swarovski with a pearl-adorned neck plate. She cut an elegant figure in the sleek gown, but it verged on the boring side.
In keeping with the theme of the evening – Costume Art – Williams’s curve-hugging gown was reportedly inspired by her painting that was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, according to Vogue.
The athlete was one of the first to hit the red carpet, walking with her actor husband, who looked dashing in a black tuxedo and burgundy bow tie with a matching pocket square. The couple married in Florida in December.
Venus Williams stepped out with her new husband, Andrea Preti, at Monday night’s Met Gala
The seven-time Grand Slam winner opted for a bold look in a custom light-reflecting crystal black gown by Swarovski with a pearl-adorned neck plate
Serena Williams also turned heads at the glitzy event after opting for a shining silver gown
She was joined by her sister and fellow tennis legend Serena, who wore a shining silver gown and golden accessories as she arrived on the red carpet.
Along with the Williams sisters, sports stars such as China’s Olympic golden girl Eileen Gu, American figure skating hero Alysa Liu, fellow tennis player Naomi Osaka and WNBA star Paige Bueckers all dazzled at the glitzy gala.
Gu, who is no stranger to being a fashion darling, cemented her place as a winner on the slopes and the red carpet as the Olympian and model earned her accolade as one of the best dressed.
The skier, who sparked controversy during the recent Winter Olympics, opted for a pearlescent bubble dress as she hit the red carpet on Monday evening.
The San Francisco-born star came under scrutiny in February for choosing to represent China, the country of her mother’s birth, instead of the United States.
Meanwhile, Liu, who won two gold medals at the 2026 Games, also turned heads in a red ruffled dress, while also sporting her trademark hairstyle for the fashion event.
Her appearance at the Met Gala comes on the back of being named a house ambassador for Louis Vuitton, who dressed her for Monday’s star-studded gala.
Tennis star Osaka also made a splash on the night after stunning in two separate outfits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Naomi Osaka arrived at the Met Gala in a sleek, white ensemble before revealing a second look
Alysa Liu, who won two gold medals at the 2026 Games, turned heads in an elegant red dress
Williams was joined by a host of fellow sport stars at the star-studded gala, such as controversial Winter Olympics star Eileen Gu who opted for a pearlescent bubble dress
Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese went with a pink ensemble as her outfit for the Met Gala
After arriving in a sleek, white ensemble – which featured a long, white gown with red feather details – she walked up the steps before removing the dress and headgear.
As she did so, the tennis star revealed a stunning, sculpted red dress that had been hidden beneath her first outfit, drawing attention from the media and fellow attendees.
However, NFL quarterback Russell Wilson managed to draw attention for all the wrong reasons.
The football veteran, who attended the event with his wife singer Ciara, sported an Egyptian-themed look.
He wore an all-white ensemble in a waistcoat over his bare chest and overcoat with a flowing train.
The jacket featured one particularly eye-catching detail with garish gold embellishments on the shoulder pads.
He finished off the bold look with a number of diamond chains around his neck and a pair of sunglasses.
Meanwhile, Ciara channeled Queen Nefertiti in a glittering gold gown fitted with a gold plated choker and rings hugging her shoulders.
Legendary NFL star Russell Wilson was also at the event alongside wife Ciara
WNBA star Paige Bueckers went with a paint-splattered suit for the glitzy New York gala
NFL stars Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson stepped out together for the event on Monday
US skiing icon Lindsey Vonn dazzled as she attended the Met Gala on Monday evening
Her outfit certainly couldn’t be overlooked thanks to the towering crown of gold foil on her head.
Elsewhere, WNBA star Paige Bueckers turned heads after stepping out in a paint-splattered suit for the glitzy New York gala.
Late to arrive at the party were NFL stars Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson, who stepped out together in custom suits for the event.
Meanwhile, US skiing icon Lindsey Vonn took her first steps without the aid of crutches since her horrific Olympics crash as she walked the carpet.
Though her beaded, white mermaid gown – which took 4,000 hours to make – caught attention, the most striking aspect of Vonn’s appearance was the lack of crutches.
Dressed by Thom Browne, the American fashion house even designed a custom cane for Vonn to use for the opulent occasion as she stepped out on Monday night.
