A'ja Wilson and Angel Reese Lead WNBA's Met Gala Takeover

Key facts

• A'ja Wilson attended the 2026 Met Gala as a member of the host committee.
• Angel Reese wore a custom pink Altuzarra gown for her third consecutive Met Gala appearance.
• Venus Williams served as one of four co-chairs for the event.
• Reese said the Met Gala is 'another expansion of women's sports' and a chance to build the brand beyond basketball.
• Wilson wore a Prabal Gurung gold textured column gown with cape sleeves and gold choker diamond necklaces.
• The 2026 Met Gala theme was 'Costume Art.'
• Reese changed her nails, toes, and hair, dyeing her hair jet black for the event.

Basketball Stars Command the Met Steps

WNBA superstars A'ja Wilson and Angel Reese commanded the red carpet at the 2026 Met Gala on Monday, marking a growing convergence of sports and high fashion. The event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, saw Wilson serve as a member of the host committee while Reese made her third consecutive appearance. Wilson, the reigning WNBA MVP and three-time champion with the Las Vegas Aces, wore a custom Prabal Gurung gold textured column gown with cape sleeves, accessorized with a set of gold choker diamond necklaces. Reese, an Atlanta Dream forward and two-time WNBA All-Star, stunned in a custom pink off-the-shoulder Altuzarra dress with billowing sleeves and a high leg slit, complemented by a diamond necklace with a pink pendant.

A Platform Beyond Basketball

For Reese, the Met Gala represents more than a fashion statement. 'It's just another expansion of women's sports and continuing to build our brand outside of just being a basketball player,' she said during a WNBA media availability ahead of the event. 'This organization … has continued to help me on a platform, being able to be a part of something that's special.' Reese emphasized that the presence of WNBA players at the gala should become the norm. 'There are gonna be some WNBA players there tonight, and I'm excited to see (them), but that should just be the standard. And hopefully, you'll see more of them.' She prepared meticulously for the event, changing her nails, toes, and hair, including dyeing her hair jet black.

Wilson's Dual Role and Fashion Philosophy

Wilson pulled double duty as both an attendee and a member of the 2026 host committee, an honor she shared with Zoë Kravitz, Doja Cat, Teyana Taylor, Sam Smith, and Sabrina Carpenter. She has embraced the evolution of fashion in basketball, noting that pregame 'tunnel ’fits' have transformed the league. 'It brought a different audience and set of eyes to us,' she told Vogue in March. However, Wilson stressed that fashion does not detract from her focus on basketball. 'There’s plenty of times where I’ve told my stylist, “I ain’t doing this. before I put on a pair of heels,”' the 29-year-old said. 'People should understand how powerful it is to walk into a game in heels, crush it, and put those heels back on. That is so powerful. That is women and I love that for us.'

A Broader Athlete Presence

Wilson and Reese were part of a larger contingent of athletes at the gala. Tennis legend Venus Williams served as one of four co-chairs, alongside Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé, and Anna Wintour. Two-time WNBA champion and Dream co-owner Renee Montgomery also walked the red carpet. Other notable attendees included former LSU football stars Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson, who made their second appearance together, and pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, who attended for the first time with his fiancée Desiré Inglander.

Fashion as a Vehicle for Cultural Impact

Wilson cited Beyoncé as a style inspiration. 'Beyoncé is amazing,' she shared. 'Now when I see her, I’m like, “Oh my God, I met that lady. Get out of the way, everybody.” Nothing else matters.' The 2026 Met Gala theme, 'Costume Art,' allowed athletes to showcase their personal style while aligning with the event's artistic focus. Reese's previous Met Gala appearances included a custom mint-green 16Arlington gown for her 22nd birthday in 2024 and a black-and-white Thom Browne look in 2025 for the theme 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.' Her 2026 ensemble channeled old Hollywood glamour, reinforcing her 'Bayou Barbie' persona.

The Stakes for Women's Sports

The presence of multiple WNBA stars at the Met Gala underscores the league's growing cultural relevance. Reese explicitly framed her attendance as a strategic move to elevate women's sports. 'It's just another expansion of women's sports,' she said, highlighting the platform the event provides. Wilson's role on the host committee further signals the WNBA's integration into mainstream fashion and entertainment. As she noted, the league's pregame fashion has already drawn new audiences. The Met Gala offers another avenue for athletes to build their brands and attract attention beyond the basketball court.

What the Night Means for the Future

The 2026 Met Gala demonstrated that the relationship between sports and fashion is deepening, with athletes increasingly taking center stage at cultural institutions. Wilson and Reese, along with Venus Williams and others, are leveraging these opportunities to expand the reach of women's sports. As Reese put it, the presence of WNBA players at the gala 'should just be the standard.' With Wilson on the host committee and Reese making her third appearance, that standard is becoming a reality. The night's events suggest that the intersection of athletics and high fashion will continue to grow, offering new platforms for athletes to influence culture.

The bottom line

• A'ja Wilson served on the host committee for the 2026 Met Gala, highlighting her influence beyond basketball.
• Angel Reese made her third Met Gala appearance, using the event to promote women's sports and build her brand.
• Venus Williams co-chaired the event, underscoring the prominence of athletes in fashion.
• Wilson and Reese both wore custom designer gowns, with Wilson in Prabal Gurung and Reese in Altuzarra.
• The WNBA's presence at the Met Gala reflects the league's growing cultural impact and strategic use of fashion.