The Five Best-Dressed Athletes at the 2026 Met Gala, Ranked

Monday marked the first Monday of May, which meant it was time for the Met Gala, the annual fundraising event known as "fashion's biggest night out."

Starting around 5:30 p.m. ET, a mix of designers, actors, singers, and athletes began walking the carpet to show off stunning and unique custom-made outfits in accordance with this year's theme and dress code, “Costume Art" and "Fashion is Art," respectively.

Tennis legend Venus Williams was one of the co-chairs of the event for 2026, alongside Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and, of course, Anna Wintour. Williams, Kidman and Wintour walked the carpet early; Queen Bey and her family showed up later, as they often do at celebrity events.

Plenty of notable figures in sports joined Williams and co. in New York for the Gala, and we tracked all their arrivals as they happened. For a full rundown on every athlete who attended the 2026 Met Gala, check out our since-ended live blog at the bottom of this page. But for a quick top five best-dressed, ranked in descending order, keep reading below.

5. Miles Chamley-Watson

Team USA fencer Miles Chamley-Watson turned heads with this custom Kidsuper fencing kit, complete with a covered épée and a matching mask. It was the perfect way to remind people of Chamley-Watson's superpower (fencing, of course) while honoring the event's theme/dress code in a creative way.

4. Paige Bueckers

Wings guard Paige Bueckers made her Met Gala debut on Monday night, and she wore a simplistic but chic-as-heck black suit, splattered in paint. A very literal interpretation of the "Fashion Is Art" theme, but one that looked amazing and felt perfect for her.

3. Lindsey Vonn

Lindsey Vonn made an epic comeback on Monday night—not of the skiing variety, but just of the walking variety. A few months after a devastating leg injury derailed her planned Olympic comeback, the decorated alpine legend walked on her own two feet, in public, for the first time. And she looked fabulous—like a statue, almost—while doing it.

2. Eileen Gu

Eileen Gu was channeling her inner Glinda when she walked onto the carpet on Monday night. Her short dress was covered entirely in fake bubbles, but also produced some real bubbles behind her as she walked. Her interpretation of the "Costume Art" theme felt very Hollywood costume-inspired, and the practical effects were a thrilling touch.

1. Naomi Osaka

To be honest, Osaka was probably one of the top-five best dressed celebrities at the event: her two looks were absolutely eye-catching and oh-so stunning, and fit perfectly witth all elements of the "Fashion Is Art" theme. Her structural white cape gave way to a deep red, bedazzled dress with adornments like veins, which was, in totality, meant to connect with the shedding of the skin, and the "body" element of the Met's new "Costume Art" exhibit.

2026 Met Gala: Every Athlete in Attendance

More from Sports Illustrated

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow