The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in world football. It is given annually to the best male and female football players in the world.
The award is widely regarded as the ultimate individual honor in football, often sparking passionate global debates every year. Winning it is considered a career-defining achievement.
When and where will 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony take place?
Meanwhile, that time of the year has been confirmed, and in a landmark announcement, organizers of football’s most prestigious individual award have confirmed that the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on October 26, marking the first time the event will be held outside its traditional home in Paris.
The decision, jointly revealed by France Football and UEFA, coincides with the 70th anniversary of the award. The Ballon d’Or was first presented in 1956 to England legend Sir Stanley Matthews, the “Wizard of the Dribble,” who earned the inaugural honor while playing for Blackpool.
This will be the 70th edition of the awards, which now recognize both men’s and women’s football, along with other categories such as best young player and best goalkeeper. Last year’s winners were Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé (men’s) and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí (women’s).
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