The Met Gala is already building major anticipation for 2026, with Vogue confirming an impressive lineup of hosts for fashion’s biggest night. Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams will serve as co-chairs next year, joining long-time Met Gala leader Anna Wintour. The announcement was made on Wednesday, Dec. 10, and instantly set the internet buzzing.
For Beyoncé, the 2026 event marks a highly anticipated return. The global superstar, known for her bold, era-defining fashion moments, has not attended the Met Gala in nearly a decade. Her last appearance was in 2016, where she arrived in a stunning latex Givenchy gown that instantly became one of the most memorable looks in the event’s history. Fans have long hoped for her comeback, and 2026 finally brings it to life.
Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams, however, are continuing their recent Met Gala streak. Both women attended the 2024 gala, each bringing elegance and star power to the red carpet. Kidman, celebrated for her seamless blend of Hollywood glamour and high fashion, remains a staple at major style events. Williams, a tennis icon and fashion entrepreneur, has also become a consistent and welcomed presence at the gala.
Vogue also revealed the 2026 Met Gala Host Committee, co-chaired by designer Anthony Vaccarello and actress Zoë Kravitz. The committee features a dynamic mix of global stars including Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Lisa (of Blackpink), Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor and several others yet to be announced. Their collective influence spans music, film, fashion, athletic excellence, and art, perfectly aligned with the spirit of the event.
The Met Gala, formally known as the Costume Institute Benefit, is held annually to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The event has become the fashion industry’s most prestigious night, drawing celebrities, designers, and cultural figures from around the world. Traditionally held on the first Monday in May, the gala sets the tone for major fashion conversations each year.
The most recent Met Gala followed the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” with Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky and Lewis Hamilton serving as co-chairs, and LeBron James honored as an additional host. The evening celebrated the innovation, craftsmanship and cultural legacy of Black fashion across generations.
Wednesday’s announcement also arrives just weeks after The Met revealed the theme for its spring 2026 exhibition: “Costume Art.” The exhibition aims to explore the centrality of the dressed body within the museum’s expansive collection. It will pair contemporary and historical garments from the Costume Institute with paintings, sculptures and artifacts spanning 5,000 years. The goal is to highlight fashion’s rightful place within the broader world of art.
Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge of the Costume Institute, expressed his excitement about the exhibition during an earlier conversation with Vogue. “It’s a huge moment for the Costume Institute,” he said. “It will be transformative for our department, but I also think it’s going to be transformative to fashion more generally the fact that an art museum like The Met is actually giving a central location to fashion.”
As for the 2026 Met Gala’s dress code, details remain under wraps. The theme often hints at the fashion direction attendees will take, but designers and celebrities typically keep their concepts secret until the red carpet moment arrives. What is certain, however, is that the combination of Beyoncé, Kidman, Williams and Wintour guarantees a night of unforgettable fashion and culture.
Additionally, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, who recently married Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, will serve as a donor for the gala. Anna Wintour previously praised her involvement, telling CNN in November that Sánchez Bezos would be a “wonderful asset” to the event. “I’m very grateful for her incredible generosity,” Wintour said. “She’s a great lover of costume and of fashion, so we’re thrilled she’s part of the night.”
Fashion’s biggest night returns on May 4, 2026, and with this star-powered lineup, it is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Met Galas in recent memory.