Full Breakdown
2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show Streams on Hulu and Disney+
6/11/2026, 1:33:26 AM
Core Event: Streaming Debut of the 2026 SI Swimsuit Runway Show
The runway show filmed during Miami Swim Week in South Florida on May 30, 2026, will be broadcast as a television special at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, on Hulu and Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the United States.
Background & Context: Miami Swim Week and the SI Swimsuit Issue
Miami Swim Week, held annually in South Florida each May, is a fashion event comparable to New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue traditionally concludes its coverage with a runway show during the week. The 2026 issue was released May 12, 2026, with a national release on May 26, 2026.
Key Figures & Groups: Covergirls, Models, and Performers
- Alix Earle – digital cover star in 2024, print cover debut 2026, walked the runway.
- Tiffany Haddish – covergirl, walked the runway.
- Hilary Duff – covergirl, did not walk the runway.
- Bethenny Frankel – reality-TV star, runway participant.
- Jena Sims – model, wife of golfer Brooks Koepka.
- Katie Austin – model, daughter of fitness guru Denise Austin.
- Ilona Maher – model and Dancing with the Stars finalist.
- Lizzo – Grammy-winning singer, surprise performance.
- Additional participants included Camille Kostek, Brooks Nader, Molly Sims, and several Dancing with the Stars alumni.
Swimwear Brands Showcased
Enez Swim, Madibu Swim, Norma Kamali, Roxy, RVCA, Vesey Swim, Watskin, a limited-edition gold one-piece by Melissa Odabash, and CAKES body-care products worn by Jena Sims and Bethenny Frankel.
Timeline of Key Dates
- May 12, 2026 – Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue released (VIP launch party May 14).
- May 26, 2026 – National issue release.
- May 27-31, 2026 – Miami Swim Week.
- May 30, 2026 – Runway show filmed at W South Beach.
- June 9, 2026 – Television special streams on Hulu and Disney+.
Data & Statistics
34 women selected for the issue, representing film, sports, social media, fashion, and business. The runway featured models and celebrities from at least 20 distinct professional backgrounds. Seven primary swimwear labels were highlighted, plus product collaborations with Melissa Odabash and CAKES. Streaming is limited to Hulu and Disney+ bundle subscribers in the United States.
Why It Matters: Digital Reach and Brand Exposure
The 2026 show is the first SI Swimsuit runway presented as a streaming television special, expanding audience access beyond live attendees. The Hulu/Disney+ partnership aligns the legacy magazine with contemporary digital distribution, while the inclusion of diverse body types and professional backgrounds reinforces the issue’s emphasis on representation. Participating brands gain national visibility across a demographic that traditionally follows the SI Swimsuit Issue.
Official Statements & Responses
News releases from Sports Illustrated and the USA TODAY Network confirmed the streaming schedule, venue, and brand lineup. The releases highlighted Lizzo’s surprise performance and noted that covergirls Alix Earle and Tiffany Haddish walked the runway, whereas Hilary Duff, though a covergirl, did not participate in the live show.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree on the streaming date, venue, and featured brands. No source provides a differing count of participants; the precise breakdown between models and celebrity guests remains unspecified.
What’s Next
Sports Illustrated indicated that future Swimsuit Issue runway shows will continue to be streamed, though details for the 2027 edition have not been announced.
