ESPN and Make-A-Wish celebrate 20 years of My Wish moments
The 2026 My Wish lineup pairs children with A’ja Wilson, Scottie Scheffler, Seth Rollins, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Tennessee football.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
ESPN and Make-A-Wish are marking two decades of turning sports fandom into face-to-face moments for children with critical illnesses, with five new wishes tied to the 20th anniversary of the My Wish series.
According to ESPN, the partnership began in 2006 and has allowed the network to document more than 90 children as their sports dreams became real. This year’s slate stretches across basketball, golf, wrestling, baseball and college football.
The 2026 wish list
The new anniversary lineup includes A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces, Scottie Scheffler, Seth Rollins, Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres, and the University of Tennessee football program, ESPN said.
One featured wish follows Khloe, 18, whose ability to play basketball was affected after liver and kidney transplants connected to a genetic disorder, according to ESPN. Her wish brought her together with four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson for a professional basketball experience with the Las Vegas Aces.
Another wish centers on Caleb, 12, who ESPN said had three open-heart surgeries and shifted toward golf after team sports became too hard. His wish puts him on the course with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Ledger, 6, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 3, according to ESPN, and drew strength from WWE star Seth Rollins. ESPN said the meeting turns “Ledger the Great” into a standout part of the wish story.
Victoria, 12, is paired with Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres. ESPN said medical conditions led to a kidney transplant for Victoria, and her wish takes her to Petco Park for a day with her favorite player.
The University of Tennessee football program is part of the anniversary group through Bailey, 16. ESPN said Bailey’s health improved after a kidney transplant, and her wish is fulfilled inside the Volunteers program with players, coaches and fans involved in a game-day experience.
A long bench of stars
The My Wish archive listed by ESPN shows how widely the series has moved through sports over the years, from major pro teams to Olympic champions, golfers, fighters, wrestlers and viral sports acts.
The 2025 archive includes wishes involving Canelo Alvarez, the Houston Texans, Justin Jefferson and the Savannah Bananas. In 2024, ESPN listed Duke basketball, Freddie Freeman, Katie Ledecky, the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers.
Earlier entries include Dustin Poirier, Ja’Marr Chase, Josh Allen and Mike Trout in 2023; the Atlanta Braves, Klay Thompson, the New York Giants and Patrick Mahomes in 2022; and past wishes with names such as Stephen Curry, Bryce Harper, J.J. Watt, Alex Morgan, John Cena, Michael Phelps, Roger Federer, Tom Brady, LeBron James, Bethany Hamilton and Tony Hawk.
ESPN said the series is built around children sharing their personal journeys while meeting the athletes and teams they admire. For the 20th anniversary, the formula remains the same: a kid, a favorite sports figure and a day made to feel bigger than the scoreboard.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.