Ballon d'Or ceremony to move to London for 70th anniversary

The 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or will be held in London on October 26, 2026. In a historic move, the ceremony is leaving Paris to celebrate the trophy's 70th anniversary in the home country of Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner in 1956.

France Football will announce the official shortlists on September 8, 2026, featuring 30 male and 30 female candidates. The awards will be based on performances during the 2025/26 season, including the World Cup held in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Key male contenders include Rodri, Lamine Yamal, and Fabian Ruiz, alongside names such as Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi. For the women's category, Barcelona players like Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, and Ewa Pajor are among the favorites.

The voting process involves journalists from the top 100 men's and top 50 women's FIFA-ranked nations. In addition to the main trophies, awards such as the Kopa, Yashin, Gerd Müller, and Johan Cruyff trophies will also be presented.