Every two years, Arizona gets to decide which sports legends deserve a permanent spot in the state’s history books. The 2026 ballot for the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame is now open, and it’s a lineup that spans Olympic gymnastics, Super Bowl championships, Major League Baseball immortality, and even the rodeo arena.
The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) has announced the 61 nominees for the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame 2026 ballot. This year’s field recognizes athletes, coaches, and contributors whose achievements have left a lasting mark on the state’s sporting identity. As Nikki Balich-Cammarata, Executive Director of ASEC, put it: “The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame is about more than records and championships. It’s about the people who have made Arizona proud and inspired others to believe in what’s possible.”
The nominee list is stacked with household names and trailblazers. Among them: Jade Carey, a Phoenix native who captured Olympic gold in floor exercise at Tokyo 2020 and team gold at Paris 2024. Tedy Bruschi, the University of Arizona standout who became a three-time Super Bowl champion and College Football Hall of Fame inductee. Kevin Warren, a Phoenix native and former Grand Canyon University basketball standout who now serves as president and CEO of the Chicago Bears after a stint as Big Ten commissioner. Tommy Nuñez, the NBA’s first Hispanic referee, who officiated for 30 years and founded the National Hispanic Basketball Classic. Reggie Jackson, the former Arizona State University star who won five World Series titles and is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Sherry Cervi, an Arizona native and Marana High School graduate who became a four-time world champion barrel racer and is in the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. And Pat Murphy, the former Arizona State University head baseball coach who earned back-to-back National League Manager of the Year honors in 2024 and 2025 and led the Milwaukee Brewers to the 2026 World Series—their first appearance since 1982.
Voting is open to the public from October 19 through November 2, 2026, with ballots accepted until 5:00 p.m. Arizona time. Anyone can vote by visiting www.azsportshof.com, where full bios for all 61 nominees are available. Voters may select as many nominees as they wish, but each person may submit only one ballot.
The eligibility criteria are straightforward: a candidate must have brought fame and honor to Arizona through outstanding sporting accomplishments or contributions. They qualify if they are a native of Arizona, are immediately recognized as an Arizonian, or have made at least two significant contributions to the state’s athletic community.
The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1957 by the Phoenix Press Box Association and is now managed by the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission. ASEC, founded in 1988, is one of the oldest sports commissions in the U.S. and operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Beyond the Hall of Fame, the commission oversees the Grand Canyon State Games, the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games, and Section 7 Basketball, one of the top high school recruiting events in the country.
Why it matters: This vote isn’t just a popularity contest—it’s a chance for Arizonans to shape how the state remembers its sports heroes for generations. With a ballot that spans Olympic champions, NFL legends, and pioneering referees, the 2026 class could be one of the most diverse in the Hall’s history, reflecting how deeply sports are woven into Arizona’s identity.
ASEC
The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission
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