Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

SI Swimsuit 2026 Launch: Haddish, Duff, Earle, Williams Headline

5/16/2026

34 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue launched on May 14 in New York City with cover stars Tiffany Haddish, Alix Earle, Hilary Duff and Nicole Williams-English.
The launch party was at The Venue, Music Row in New York City on May 14.
Haddish said the cover honors her grandmother, an early-20th-century model, and called it a full-circle tribute.
The issue appeared at select newsstands on May 14 and will go national on May 25.

History

Historical Context

In 1964 Sports Illustrated launched its first Swimsuit Issue, putting model Babette March on the cover after editor Jule Campbell organized a five-page shoot conceived by Andre Laguerre. The issue helped legitimize the bikini and established an annual cultural fixture. The 2026 New York launch starring Tiffany Haddish and Alix Earle continues that legacy by using celebrity appeal to expand relevance.

1 of 2

Story summary

The 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue launched on May 14 in New York City with cover stars Tiffany Haddish, Alix Earle, Hilary Duff and Nicole Williams-English.
The launch party was at The Venue, Music Row in New York City on May 14.
Haddish said the cover honors her grandmother, an early-20th-century model, and called it a full-circle tribute.
The issue appeared at select newsstands on May 14 and will go national on May 25.

1 / 2