| Ballon d’Or 2026 | |
| Ceremony Details | |
| Event: | Ballon d’Or Awards |
| Category: | Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or |
| Date: | 26 October 2026 (London) |
| Time: | 1:30 AM IST, 27 October 2026 |
| Venue: | The London Palladium, London, England |
Preview: Ballon d’Or 2026
The Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony celebrates the outstanding achievements of footballers from around the world. Organised by France Football in partnership with UEFA, the prestigious awards recognise exceptional individual performances, consistency, goalscoring, creativity and contributions to team success. The 2026 edition marks the 70th anniversary of the award and will be held in London for the first time.
Football fans will be watching closely to discover who succeeds the previous winners. The ceremony includes the Men's and Women's Ballon d’Or awards, alongside honours for young talent, goalkeepers, coaches, clubs and strikers. The event will bring together some of the biggest names in international football for an evening celebrating excellence in the beautiful game.
What Is the Ballon d’Or?
The Ballon d’Or is one of football's most prestigious individual honours. First awarded in 1956, it recognises players for their performances and achievements during the relevant season. The award has become a global symbol of individual excellence, with legendary footballers from different generations earning a place in its history.
The winner is determined through a voting process involving selected football journalists, with the assessment focusing on individual performances, decisive contributions, team achievements and sporting conduct. The award is separate from a club competition and is not decided by the result of a single match.
Men's Ballon d’Or 2026 Nominees
The men's shortlist features established stars and leading performers from major leagues around the world.
| Player | Club / Team |
|---|---|
| Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |
| Ousmane Dembélé | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City |
| Harry Kane | Bayern München |
| Lamine Yamal | Barcelona |
| Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid |
| Lionel Messi | Inter Miami |
| Michael Olise | Bayern München |
| Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid |
| Vitinha | Paris Saint-Germain |
Selected nominees only. See the official website for the complete shortlist.
Women's Ballon d’Or 2026
The Women's Ballon d’Or recognises outstanding performances in women's football. The 2026 shortlist includes international stars who have excelled for their clubs and national teams.
| Player | Club / Team |
|---|---|
| Alexia Putellas | Barcelona / London City Lionesses |
| Caroline Graham Hansen | Barcelona |
| Ewa Pajor | Barcelona |
| Alessia Russo | Arsenal |
| Khadija Shaw | Manchester City |
| Melchie Dumornay | OL Lyonnes |
Selected nominees only. See the official website for the complete shortlist.
Other Awards to Watch
| Award | Recognition |
|---|---|
| Kopa Trophy / Young Talent | Outstanding young players |
| Yashin Trophy | Best goalkeepers |
| Coach of the Year | Outstanding coaching achievements |
| Club of the Year | Outstanding club performances |
| Striker of the Year | Goalscoring excellence |
| Sócrates Award | Humanitarian and social impact |
What Makes the Ballon d’Or Special?
• Individual excellence: Recognition of a player's outstanding performance over the relevant season.
• Team contribution: Important performances for clubs and national teams help shape a player's reputation.
• Global recognition: Players from different leagues and countries compete for football's most celebrated individual honours.
• Historic legacy: The award connects today's stars with generations of legendary footballers.
How to Watch Ballon d’Or 2026
Fans should check the official Ballon d’Or website and local broadcasting announcements for live coverage, streaming availability and ceremony updates. Availability varies by country and broadcaster.
Ballon d’Or: A Historic Football Tradition
Since its creation in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has celebrated football's greatest individual achievements. Over the decades, the award has recognised players whose skills, consistency and performances have left a lasting impact on the sport. Winning the trophy represents a major milestone in a footballer's career.
The 2026 ceremony marks the award's 70th anniversary and brings the football community to London. With men's and women's honours and several additional awards, the event celebrates the players, coaches and clubs that make football one of the world's most popular sports.
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