Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams to co-chair 2026 Met Gala
What's the story
The 2026 Met Gala will be co-chaired by Hollywood icons Beyoncé and Nicole Kidman, tennis legend Venus Williams, and former Vogue editor Anna Wintour. This marks Beyoncé's return to the event after a decade-long hiatus. The annual gala is a major fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. It will take place on May 4 next year.
Event overview
Met Gala: A brief history and its significance
The Met Gala, also known as "fashion's biggest night out," is an annual fundraising event for the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The inaugural 1948 gala began as a dinner, later becoming a major fashion event under Vogue's Diana Vreeland in the 1970s. Wintour has been co-chairing since 1995.
Upcoming event
Met Gala 2026: Theme and sponsors revealed
The theme for the 2026 Met Gala is "Costume Art," which will be reflected in the Costume Institute's spring 2026 exhibition. Reportedly, the exhibition will explore the relationship between the body and fashion in art by pairing works from the Met's collection with historical and contemporary garments. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos are this year's main sponsors of the gala.
Past events
Previous Met Gala themes and controversies
The Met Gala has seen its share of controversies over the years. The 2018 theme "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination" sparked debates due to its religious connotations. Similarly, the 2023 theme "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" drew criticism for the late designer's controversial remarks about women and his views on Germany's acceptance of Syrian refugees.