Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu Make History as Co-Hosts of the Laureus Awards in Madrid
Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu make history as the first athletes to co-host the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. Read the latest updates on the prestigious ceremony.
MADRID, SPAIN — The global sporting community has its eyes set on the iconic Palacio de Cibeles today, April 20, 2026, for the 27th annual Laureus World Sports Awards. In a historic first for the prestigious “Athletes’ Awards,” two of the most dominant competitors of their generation—tennis legend Novak Djokovic and freestyle skiing phenomenon Eileen Gu—are stepping off the field of play to co-host the ceremony.
The event gathers the biggest names across all disciplines to celebrate excellence, resilience, and inspiration, with winners voted upon exclusively by the 69 sporting legends of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
A Historic “Dream Team” Hosting Duo
Traditionally hosted by Hollywood A-listers, the decision to pivot to an athlete-led ceremony underscores Laureus’s commitment to honoring the peers of the sporting world.
- Novak Djokovic: A five-time Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and 24-time Grand Slam champion, Djokovic returns to the stage not to receive a trophy, but to guide the global broadcast.
- Eileen Gu: The multiple Olympic champion and 2023 Laureus Action Sportsperson of the Year joins him, bringing a massive global youth audience to the broadcast.
The duo is accompanied by leading international sports anchor Amanda Davies, who oversees exclusive interviews directly from the Laureus Winners Room.
Top Contenders and Categories
The Madrid gala will crown champions across several highly anticipated categories. The nominees for the 2026 honors list include record-breaking performances from track and field, tennis, swimming, and motorsport.
- Sportsman & Sportswoman of the Year: Recognizing the absolute pinnacle of individual athletic dominance over the past calendar year.
- Team of the Year: Honoring collective triumph in team sports, with several historic football and rugby clubs in contention.
- Breakthrough & Comeback Awards: Celebrating the incredible resilience of athletes returning from major injuries or bursting onto the global scene.
New Ambassadors Join the Mission
In addition to the awards, Laureus continues its core mission of using sports to transform the lives of young people globally. Jamaican athletics legend and three-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was officially introduced this week as a new Laureus ambassador.
Fraser-Pryce emphasized the importance of grassroots programs, noting that sports like football and track serve as vital tools to bring communities together and uplift underprivileged youth.
Summary of Major Takeaways
- Event Details: The 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards take place on April 20 at Madrid’s Palacio de Cibeles.
- Historic Hosts: Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu become the first athletes to officially co-host the ceremony.
- Peer-Voted: Winners are chosen by the 69 legends of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
- Global Impact: The event highlights both elite athletic achievements and Laureus’s ongoing “Sport for Good” charitable missions.
As the world’s most decorated athletes walk the red carpet tonight, the Laureus Awards once again prove to be the ultimate celebration of sportsmanship on a global scale.