ESPY Awards 2024 LIVE — Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift snub show despite Kansas City Chiefs being up for huge honor
THE best athletes and biggest celebrities joined forces on Thursday night for the annual ESPY Awards - but one expected face did not attend.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were absent from the awards show last night despite the Kansas City Chiefs being up for a major honor: Best Team.
Although neither Swift nor Kelce attended the biggest night in sports, the couple featured prominently in host Serena Williams' monologue.
The tennis legend quipped that Swift’s boyfriend won a Super Bowl with teammate Patrick Mahomes.
Williams also joked that Kelce and Swift spent "$100,000 a day on their romance," the same amount Boston Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown requires for his beard.
Follow along below for all the latest updates on the ESPY Awards...
Making a Mark-le
The Duchess of Sussex made a surprise appearance at last night's ESPY Awards, showing her support for her husband from the front row as he received the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Meghan's longtime friend and the show's host, tennis legend Serena Williams, playfully called out the couple during her opening monologue.
Addressing the couple, host Serena Williams jokingly asked them, "not to breathe too much,
"Because this is my night, and I don't want to be overshadowed by the accusations that you guys are taking up too much oxygen, okay?" she said.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex alongside host Serena Star-Worthy Fashion
Daisy Ridley stunned onlookers in a sleeveless blue gown. She was at the ESPY Awards to present alongside Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin.
Damar Hamlin and Daisy Ridley walk onstage "This special place"
The Maui Surfing Community received the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award for helping the Hawaiian island recover from last years' deadly wildfires.
Lenny and Archie Kalepa accepted the award on behalf of the community.
The Maui Surf Community accept the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. “What was lost can never be replaced, but together we can rebuild our home to honor the fallen and celebrate the history of this special place,” Lenny said.
Biles springs back
Simone Biles received the award for Best Comeback Performance, and although she couldn't attend in person due to her preparations for the 2024 Olympics, Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett accepted the award on her behalf.
Simone has been hailed as an 'inspiration' for stepping back into the limelight and being selected to represent Team USA in Paris this August.
She previously suffered from the 'twisties'—a gymnastic term for a loss of spatial awareness during aerial manoeuvres. Despite this setback, she proved her mental resilience and will be competing next month.
A Family Affair
Hostess Serena Williams was joined at the event by her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis, and their six-year-old daughter Olympia.
Prince Harry Honored with Pat Tillman Award
The Duke of Sussex expressed gratitude to Mary Tillman, mother of Pat Tillman, upon accepting the award for his work with the Invictus Games.
In a heartfelt speech, Prince Harry emphasized the importance of community, promising that the Invictus Games Foundation will "leave no one behind."
Paying tribute to veterans, he said, "The truth is, I stand here not as Prince Harry, recipient of the Pat Tillman Award, but as a voice for the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have brought the Invictus Games to life. This award belongs to them, not to me."
Viewers Fume Over Abrupt Ending
Despite an evening of celebration, viewers were left enraged after the broadcast abruptly cut off following a delayed start.
"ABC just screwed up the live ending of the ESPY Awards and didn't properly show such ending to get off the air to get to local affiliates late newscasts at 11:30 pm ET after the delayed start earlier tonight. What the hell, ABC?" one viewer vented on X.
The awards were delayed by 30 minutes due to President Joe Biden's news conference.
"Looks like Joe even screwed up the ESPY BROADCAST. That ending made the show straight trash," another X user remarked.
Celebs present
The star-studded line-up of presenters included acting stars Jennifer Garner and Rob Lowe, alongside comedian Nikki Glaser.
Jennifer Garner both presented and accepted the award for Sport Humanitarian Team of the Year on behalf of Angel City. 
The star from "Parks and Recreation" donned a sleek suit. 
Comedian Nikki Glaser mocked golf star Scottie Scheffler’s arrest continuing to have sporting stars in her crosshairs following Netflix’s “The Roast of Tom Brady.”
Ciara opens the show
Ciara kicked off the 2024 ESPY Awards with a performance that included her hit songs Goodies, Level Up, and One, Two Step.
Ciara dazzled in a leather jumpsuit during her performance.
The singer was joined by backup dancers who sported some of star host Serena Williams' signature looks.
Olivia Dunne stuns in golden dress
The LSU gymnast posed for the camera, twirling her dress.
She presented the Best Play award.
Livvy Dunne at The 2024 ESPY Awards Serena to the stage
Serena Williams pulled off multiple looks as host of the ceremony.
Serena read her opening monologue in a stunning black gownCredit: Getty 
Serena's second look of the night was a mini pink dressCredit: Getty 
Serena joked that hosting the ESPYs 'wasn't going to her head'Credit: AP PHOTO 
Serena also dawned a see-through black number on stageCredit: AP PHOTO Shots from the red carpet
Take a look at some more stars on the red carpet of the ESPYs.
Lindsey Vonn stunned in a high slit yellow dressCredit: Getty 
Quinta Brunson walked the red carpet in a floral sheer gownCredit: Getty 
LSU gymnast Haleigh Bryant arrived at the ESPYs in a bright blue ensembleCredit: AP 
Amina Smith wore a silver gown on the red carpetCredit: WireImage More celebrity couples
Nikki Mudarris and LiAngelo were all smiles on the red carpetCredit: REX 
Lorena Cartagena and Fat Joe walked hand in hand on the red carpetCredit: REX 
Jaylen Brown and Kysre Gondrezick posed for photos at the ESPYsCredit: Getty 
Draymond Green and Hazel Green locked lips while posing for photosCredit: REX Date night
See some of your favorite celebrity couples on the ESPYs red carpet.
Taylor Laffey looks lovingly at Johny Townsed on the ESPYs red carpetCredit: Getty 
Nick Viall shows off Natalie Joy on the red carpetCredit: REX 
Tammy Reid and Andy Reid pose together at the ESPYsCredit: WireImage Olivia Dunne is a golden girl
Livvy Dunne posed in a matte golden gown on the red carpetCredit: REX 
Livvy Dunne was a presenter at the ESPY AwardsCredit: REX 
Livvy Dunne is famous for her time as a LSU gymnastCredit: REX
Hostess with the mostess
Serena Williams poses with her child Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. and husband Alexis Ohanian on the red carpetCredit: Getty 
Serena Williams hosted the 2024 EPSY AwardsCredit: Getty Cleaning up nice
Take a look at some of your favorite athletes on the red carpet.
LSU gymnasts pose together on the red carpetCredit: Getty 
WNBA star Candace Parker poses with Anna Petrakova-Parker on the red carpetCredit: REX That's all folks!
The presentation of Best Team wraps up tonight's 2024 ESPY Awards!
Stay tuned for highlights and photos from the ceremony.
Best Team goes to...
The South Carolina Gamecocks!
The women's college basketball team is accepting the award for the second year in a row.
They had a perfect season with a record of 38-0 and were victorious in the national championship against Iowa.
The South Carolina women's basketball team received the award for Best TeamCredit: AP Damar Hamlin and Daisy Ridley present last award
Damar Hamlin and Daisy Ridley are presenting the award for Best Team.
The nominees are,
- South Carolina Gamecocks, NCAA Women’s Basketball
- Kansas City Chiefs, NFL
- Michigan Wolverines, NCAA Football
- Las Vegas Aces, WNBA
- University of Connecticut Huskies, NCAA Men’s Basketball
- Oklahoma Sooners, NCAA Softball
- Boston Celtics, NBA
- Florida Panthers, NHL
- Texas Rangers, MLB
Damar Hamlin and Daisy Ridley presented the award for Best TeamCredit: Getty Fans notice technical difficulties
Fans are noticing a technical glitch at the end of the ESPYs broadcast.
Best Comeback Athlete goes to...
Simone Biles!
Simone is training for the Olympics but Brian accepted the award on her behalf.
Brian Tyree Henry and Myles Garrett take microphone
Brian Tyree Henry and Myles Garrett are presenting the award for Best Comeback Athlete.
The nominees are,
- Simone Biles, Gymnast
- Paige Bueckers, University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball
- Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
- Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Brian Tyree Henry and Myles Garrett presented the award for Best ComebackCredit: Getty Jennifer Garner presents Sport Humanitarian Team of the Year
Jennifer Garner is presenting the award for Sport Humanitarian Team of the Year.
She is accepting the award on behalf of Angel City UFC, a team run by women.
Jennifer Garner took the ESPYs as a presenterCredit: Getty Fans complain about length
Fans are taking to X to complain that the ESPYs are too long this year.