All About the 2026 Met Gala
All About the 2026 Met Gala
Laura BeckSun, May 3, 2026 at 10:17 AM UTC
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We’re not the first to say it, but it’s true: The Met Gala is fashion's Super Bowl, Oscar night and New Year's Eve all rolled into one impossibly glamorous Monday in May. For 2026, the first Monday falls on May 4, and the theme has already sparked debate among fashion insiders for being either brilliantly open-ended or frustratingly vague, depending on who you ask. (At least it’s not boring!) "Costume Art" is the exhibition theme, with a dress code of "Fashion Is Art"—which could mean anything from sculptural gowns that look like museum installations to archival couture pulled from fashion house vaults. It all sounds thrilling to us and we’re already stocking up on snacks.
What makes this year particularly exciting is the return of Beyoncé(!!!), who's co-chairing the event—marking her first Met Gala appearance in about a decade. As we all know, when Beyoncé shows up to anything, it's an event, darling. When she returns to the Met Gala after years away? That's history, honey! She'll be joined by fellow co-chairs Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and the ultimate gatekeeper Anna Wintour, who continues her reign as the gala's longtime organizer and makes the final decision on the guests who'll be admitted through those famous museum doors.
The guest list is always kept secret until the red carpet unfolds, but approximately 450 people will receive the coveted invitation. Based on the host committee and past attendance patterns, we can make educated guesses about who'll show up—from host committee members like Sabrina Carpenterto highly-anticipated regulars like Rihanna, Zendaya and Kim Kardashian. The exhibition itself will feature roughly 400 objects exploring the relationship between fashion and the human body, which means we should expect body-focused couture, molded silhouettes and garments that blur the line between clothing and sculpture.
Here's everything we know so far about the 2026 Met Gala.
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When Is the 2026 Met Gala?
Mark your calendars for Monday, May 4, 2026.
The Met Gala always takes place on the first Monday in May and it's a tradition as reliable as Anna Wintour's signature bob and sunglasses. The timing isn't random—it kicks off the opening week of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibition. This year, it will run from May 10, 2026 through Jan. 10, 2027.
What Time Does the 2026 Met Gala Start?
The red carpet typically begins around 6:00 p.m. ET and celebrity arrivals generally continue for the next two hours. After the carpet wraps, guests go inside for dinner and a private exhibition preview. If you're planning to watch the livestream, set your alarm for just before six o'clock so you're settled in once things kick off.
Zendaya arrives at the 2025 Met Gala.Photo by Dia Dipasupil on Getty ImagesWhat Is the 2026 Met Gala Theme?
The exhibition theme is "Costume Art" with a dress code of "Fashion Is Art."
The theme explores the relationship between fashion and the human body, examining how clothing functions as a form of artistic expression across history. The accompanying exhibition will feature roughly 400 objects—about 200 garments and 200 artworks—displayed in pairs to highlight the connections between fashion and visual art.
The exhibition will also dive into representations of the body in art, aging and maternity in fashion, and broader concepts of anatomy and identity. It's an ambitious curatorial concept that fashion historians will love and celebrities will have to interpret through what they wear on the red carpet.
The dress code "Fashion Is Art" is intentionally broad, which has sparked mixed reactions. Some critics have called it the "laziest ever" and too vague, while others believe the open-ended nature could lead to the most creative red carpet looks we've seen in years. Fashion insiders are predicting sculptural garments, wearable art pieces, museum-inspired looks and archival couture that makes a statement about fashion as fine art.
Related: Check Out the Fabulous and Fun 2025 Met Gala Red Carpet Fashions
Who Is Co-Chairing the 2026 Met Gala?
Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour are this year's co-chairs.
The biggest news is Beyoncé's return. As co-chair, she'll be front and center for the first time in about a decade, making her one of the most anticipated arrivals of the night. When Beyoncé commits to an event after years away, you know the looks will be legendary.
Kidman brings her history of taking fashion risks on red carpets, while Williams represents the athletic-meets-high-fashion crossover that the Met Gala increasingly celebrates. And of course, Wintour continues her role as the gala's longtime organizer—if you're there, it's because she approved your invitation.
Related: Anna Wintour’s Net Worth Is Fit for a Met Gala Queen
Who Is on the 2026 Met Gala Host Committee?
The host committee includes major names across music, fashion and sports.
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Confirmed members include Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, LISA, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Zoë Kravitz and Anthony Vaccarello (Saint Laurent's creative director). Additional committee members include A'ja Wilson, Misty Copeland, Lena Dunham, Alex Consani, Gwendoline Christie, Elizabeth Debicki and Paloma Elsesser.
Host committee members are confirmed to attend the gala and help promote the event, which means you will see all of these stars on the red carpet.
Who Will Be at the 2026 Met Gala?
The full guest list is never released ahead of time, but about 450 people receive invitations.
Between the co-chairs (Beyoncé, Kidman, Williams and Wintour) and the host committee (Carpenter, Doja Cat, LISA, Smith, Kravitz, Wilson, Copeland, Dunham, Christie, Debicki, Elsesser, Consani, Taylor and Anthony Vaccarello), there are already nearly 20 confirmed attendees.Jeff Bezosand Lauren Sánchez Bezos will also be there as honorary chairs and lead sponsors of both the gala and the exhibition.
As for the rest of the 450-person guest list, that remains a mystery until the red carpet unfolds. Historically regular attendees expected to return include Rihanna (who's basically Met Gala royalty at this point!), Bad Bunny, Zendaya, Kardashian and Pharrell Williams—though none are officially confirmed yet. Harry Styles is also rumored to return for the first time since 2019, as he's currently in the middle of a major album promotional tour. And with Venus co-chairing, fans are hoping sisterSerena Williamsmight make an appearance as well!
With The Devil Wears Prada 2 hitting theaters just days earlier on May 1, we're also expecting to see cast members from the film and are hoping to see "Runway" performers Lady Gaga and Doechii on the carpet.
The mix typically includes movie stars, musicians, fashion designers, athletes, models, politicians and tech figures. Basically, if you're influential in culture right now and Anna Wintour approves, you might get an invite. Ooh la la!
Who Are the Celebrities Banned From the Met Gala?
While the full "banned" list has never been officially confirmed, Anna Wintour named one person she would never invite back during an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden: Donald Trump. Other celebrities who are rumored to be banned include Tim Gunn—who shared an unflattering story about the Vogue legend—and Kanye Westfollowing his antisemitic remarks. The newest rumored name on the list is said to be Nicki Minaj, who did not receive an invite to the 2026 gala.
And some previous attendees have spoken out against the annual event, only to return years later. For example, in 2018, Demi Lovato toldBillboard she had a terrible experience. "I remember being so uncomfortable that I wanted to drink," she shared. However, she came back in 2024.
Demi Lovato described the Met Gala as "very cliquey," but gave it another shot in 2024.
Other stars who didn't have the best things to say include Gwyneth Paltrow—who also returned in later years—and Amy Schumer,Tina Fey and Zayn Malik.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend the Met Gala?
The cost to attend has skyrocketed in recent years. In 2024, individual tickets hit $75,000—up from $50,000 in 2023 and $35,000 in 2022. A standard 10-person table starts at $350,000.
But most celebrities don't actually pay for their own tickets because fashion houses and brands will purchase tables and then invite celebrities to sit with them, with the expectation that those guests will wear one of the brand's designs. The gala is also a fundraiser for the Costume Institute. In 2024, the event raised over $26 million in a single night.
Where Does the 2026 Met Gala Take Place?
The event itself happens at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, specifically benefiting the museum's Costume Institute. The famous red carpet unfolds on the museum's front steps (you've seen the photos!), while the exclusive dinner and exhibition preview happen inside. (And, of course, all the cool girls hang in the bathroom!)
Related: OK, But How Much Does a Met Gala Ticket Cost?
Who Is Sponsoring the 2026 Met Gala?
Saint Laurent, Condé Nast and major donors—including Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos—are backing the event.
The financial support from luxury brands and high-profile donors helps fund both the gala itself and the Costume Institute's exhibitions throughout the year. Saint Laurent's involvement as a primary sponsor means we'll likely see the brand heavily represented on the red carpet.
How To Watch the 2026 Met Gala
Vogue has confirmed that its sixth annual Met Gala livestream will kick off at 6:00 p.m. ET on May 4 and will stream live across its digital platforms—including YouTube and TikTok. Emma Chamberlain will return as Vogue's red carpet correspondent, while Ashley Graham, Cara Delevingne and La La Anthony will serve as livestream hosts.
The livestream is free and covers the arrivals, giving you front-row access to every look, interview and moment as celebrities make their way up those famous museum steps. It's the closest most of us will ever get to actually attending—but honestly, watching from your couch with commentary and close-ups of the details might be better than being there. Plus, there's popcorn!
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This story was originally published by Parade on May 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
