Djokovic, Gu to Host Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 in Madrid

Madrid, April 20 — Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu will co-host the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards at the Palacio de Cibeles, with leading athletes from across disciplines set to attend the annual ceremony. The event will recognise top performances in global sport across multiple categories.

Djokovic and Gu to Lead Ceremony

Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu have been confirmed as co-hosts for the 27th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards, scheduled to take place in Madrid. The ceremony will bring together prominent figures from international sport to celebrate achievements over the past year.

Djokovic, one of the most decorated players in tennis history, holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles with 24 and has previously won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award five times. His continued association with the awards reflects his long-standing presence in global sport.

Gu, a freestyle skiing athlete and Olympic gold medallist, has also been recognised at the Laureus Awards, having won the World Action Sportsperson of the Year title in 2023. She will join Djokovic in hosting duties for the first time.

Event to Feature Global Sporting Figures

The awards ceremony at the Palacio de Cibeles is expected to feature a wide range of athletes representing different sports. The event annually gathers elite performers, officials, and stakeholders from the global sporting community.

The Laureus Awards are regarded as one of the key international platforms recognising sporting excellence, with nominations and winners determined across multiple categories reflecting achievements at the highest level.

This year’s edition will continue the tradition of honouring performances across both individual and team disciplines.

Key Award Categories

Winners at the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards will be announced across major categories, including Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Team of the Year, Breakthrough of the Year, and Comeback of the Year.

These categories are designed to recognise standout performances, emerging talent, and significant returns to form, covering a broad spectrum of sporting achievements from the past year.

The awards highlight both consistency and impact, with recipients selected based on their contributions and results in their respective sports.

Hosts Highlight Laureus Role

Djokovic, who has been involved with the Laureus Awards in previous editions, noted his connection to the event through past participation. He previously presented the Sportsman of the Year award and now returns in a hosting role.

Gu also acknowledged the significance of co-hosting alongside Djokovic, reflecting the cross-sport representation that the awards aim to promote. Both hosts are expected to guide the ceremony proceedings and present key awards during the event.

The event will continue to emphasise the broader role of sport in recognising excellence and bringing together athletes from diverse disciplines on a single platform.

Madrid Hosts 27th Edition

The 2026 ceremony will be held in Madrid, with the Palacio de Cibeles serving as the venue. The location has previously hosted major cultural and sporting events, providing a central setting for the awards.

The gathering marks the 27th annual edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards, maintaining its position as a recurring event in the global sports calendar. The ceremony will conclude with the announcement of winners across all categories.

The event underscores Madrid’s role as a host city for international sporting occasions while continuing the Laureus tradition of recognising top athletes and performances worldwide.