Watch: Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams Will Co-Chair 2026 Met Gala
Serena Wiliams is no stranger to acing her red carpet fashion.
As for proof, look no further than her 2026 Met Gala ensemble. The tennis legend graced the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4 in a metallic Marc Jacobs gown. Staying true to the “Fashion Is Art” dress code, she accessorized with David Yurman jewelry and a Audemars Piguet watch.
The real star of the show, however, were her golden heels, which snaked up her right leg all the way to her thigh. (For all the stars at the Met Gala click here.)
Though Serena—who wasn’t joined by Alexis Ohanian this year—is no stranger to stepping out at the famed New York City gala during the first Monday in May, this year she’s taking on a special role: supportive sister.
Indeed, big sister Venus Williams is one of the co-chairs of the 2026 event in honor of the exhibit “Costume Art”—alongside Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and, of course, Anna Wintour. (Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, the primary sponsor of the gala, have been named honorary co-chairs.)
That particular honor is one Serena herself has experienced, co-chairing the 2019 event alongside the former Vogue editor-in-chief, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles and designer Alessandro Michele. At the time, she paired her jaw-dropping yellow Versace gown with Virgil Abloh-designed Nike sneakers. And the kicks have a surprising origin story.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
The 44-year-old revealed to Vogue in 2022, “Anna Wintour was telling me, ‘You should wear tennis shoes because you’re gonna be standing a long time.’”
And though the look came together at the last minute, with the shoes making their way to her the night before, it’s ultimately one that stands the test of time for her.
“When I was on the red carpet, I wanted everyone to see that I was actually wearing these really cool Virgil Nike shoes that actually really matched perfectly to the dress,” the Grand Slam winner explained. “Wearing Nike to the Met Gala is—no one does this, you know? Everyone puts on their finest, finest garments and my finest garment happens to be Versace and Nike.”
To see the fine looks from Serena, Venus and the rest of the stars at the 2026 Met Gala, keep reading…
Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Photo by Julian Hamilton/Getty Images
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
David Fisher/Shutterstock
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Theo Wargo/FilmMagic
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
John Salangsang/Shutterstock
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Tune in to E! today, May 4, starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT for every must-see moment from the Met Gala 2026.
