The 70th Ballon d’Or Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026, at the renowned London Palladium in England. This year’s event is particularly significant as it is the first time the ceremony has been held outside of France, serving as a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the first recipient of the Ballon d’Or in 1956.
The ceremony will be hosted by Thierry Henry and Kate Scott, beginning at 8:00 PM GMT. The evaluation period for the men’s award covers August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, while the women’s award considers performances from August 16, 2026. The choice of London honors Matthews, a legendary English footballer and the inaugural winner.
Key contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or include Harry Kane, who has scored over 70 goals for club and country and led Bayern Munich to a league and cup double, while also helping England to a third-place finish in the 2026 World Cup. Lamine Yamal is recognized for his role in Barcelona’s La Liga title win and Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup victory. Kylian Mbappé, the World Cup Golden Boot winner, is also a strong candidate, having been the top scorer in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder, is nominated after leading PSG to Ligue 1 and Champions League success.
Partial rankings for positions 11 through 30 have also been released, featuring talents such as Jude Bellingham (11th), Pau Cubarsí (12th), Achraf Hakimi (13th), Vitinha (14th), Declan Rice (15th), and Ferran Torres (16th).
This 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony signifies the global evolution of football, celebrating its history while looking towards its future. London’s selection as host acknowledges Matthews’ legacy and the sport’s international reach.
The anticipation is high for the announcement of both the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or winners, with contenders like Kane, Yamal, Mbappé, and Dembélé all presenting strong cases for the prestigious award. The event at the London Palladium is expected to be a historic celebration of football’s elite.
