The world’s leading football stars will gather in London on Monday evening for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where the best male and female footballers will be recognised for their outstanding achievements during the previous season. The event, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. British time at the London Palladium Theatre, marks the 70th anniversary of the prestigious award and its first staging in the English capital. England captain Harry Kane, Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé are among the leading contenders for the men’s prize, while former winners and emerging stars compete for honours across several categories. The ceremony is organised by France Football in partnership with UEFA, with the winners to be announced during the evening.
The decision to stage the ceremony in London carries particular historical significance because the inaugural Ballon d’Or was awarded to English football legend Sir Stanley Matthews in 1956. The event has traditionally been associated with France, where generations of football’s greatest players have received the coveted golden trophy. UEFA confirmed that the move to London commemorates the competition’s founding and reflects its international standing. The 2026 edition will be hosted by former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry alongside sports presenter Kate Scott, bringing together distinguished figures from football, broadcasting and international sport for one of the year’s most anticipated award ceremonies.
England captain Harry Kane is among the leading contenders for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or after an outstanding season for Bayern Munich and his country.
Kane enters the ceremony as a leading favourite after producing an exceptional campaign for Bayern Munich and the England national team. The striker scored 73 goals for club and country during the 2025 and 2026 season, according to figures reported ahead of the awards, strengthening his reputation as one of the most consistent goalscorers in world football. His achievements included domestic honours with Bayern Munich and an influential performance for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the national team finished third. Kane is seeking to become the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001, a milestone that would end a 25 year wait for another English winner.
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is expected to provide strong competition after another impressive campaign for club and country. The Spanish international has attracted widespread recognition for his technical ability, creativity and performances in major matches. His contribution to Barcelona’s domestic success and Spain’s international achievements has strengthened his claim to football’s highest individual honour. Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé is another prominent contender after delivering prolific performances and an outstanding World Cup campaign for France. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Paris Saint Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham are also included among the 30 nominees, reflecting the depth of competition for the award.
The women’s Ballon d’Or is also expected to produce intense competition, with Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas emerging as a leading contender. The former Barcelona star is seeking to add another trophy to the two awards she won in 2021 and 2022. Other prominent nominees include Ewa Pajor, Alessia Russo, Mariona Caldentey, Caroline Graham Hansen and Khadija Shaw. The women’s award has grown considerably in prominence since its introduction in 2018, reflecting the increasing global visibility, commercial development and competitive strength of women’s football. The winner will succeed Aitana Bonmatí, who claimed the 2025 prize after another outstanding campaign.
The 2026 ceremony will feature several additional honours recognising achievements beyond the two main Ballon d’Or awards. Separate trophies will be presented for the best young male and female players, outstanding goalkeepers, coaches, clubs and leading goalscorers. The Sócrates Award will recognise contributions to social causes and humanitarian initiatives, highlighting the influence footballers can have beyond the pitch. Nominees for the men’s young player award include Yamal, Pau Cubarsí and other emerging talents, while leading coaches such as Mikel Arteta, Vincent Kompany and Luis Enrique are competing for managerial recognition. The expanded programme aims to celebrate both individual brilliance and collective achievement throughout the football season.
Two time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is among the leading nominees for the 2026 women’s award.
The voting process remains central to the prestige and credibility of the Ballon d’Or. Winners are selected by an international panel of specialist football journalists, with representatives from the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings voting for the men’s award and journalists from the top 50 nations participating in the women’s category. Each voter ranks 10 players from a shortlist of 30 nominees, with points awarded according to their positions. The judging criteria prioritise individual performances, decisive contributions, team achievements, sporting conduct and fair play. For the 2026 ceremony, performances from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, form the assessment period, ensuring that both domestic and international competitions influence the outcome.
The award has produced numerous historic moments since Stanley Matthews became its first recipient in 1956. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi holds the record with eight Ballon d’Or victories, while Cristiano Ronaldo has won five. Other distinguished recipients include Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo Nazário. The 2025 ceremony in Paris saw Ousmane Dembélé claim the men’s award, while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí secured her third consecutive women’s trophy. Their victories demonstrated the importance of consistent performances and major team achievements in shaping the voting. The latest ceremony now offers another generation of footballers an opportunity to establish their place in the award’s distinguished history.
Beyond the individual awards, the event is expected to attract considerable international attention because of the competition between players representing Europe’s leading clubs and national teams. Supporters of Kane point to his extraordinary goalscoring record and achievements with Bayern Munich, while those backing Yamal emphasise his creativity and impact at a young age. Mbappé’s supporters highlight his performances in major competitions and his ability to influence important matches. However, the outcome will depend on the independent voting process rather than public predictions or betting markets. The event also provides an opportunity to celebrate the development of women’s football, recognise successful coaching strategies and highlight achievements across different positions and playing styles.
As of the morning of October 26, 2026, the winners of the main Ballon d’Or awards have not yet been announced, and attention remains focused on the ceremony scheduled for 8 p.m. in London, equivalent to 9 p.m. in Nigeria. Football supporters worldwide are expected to follow the proceedings through authorised television broadcasters and digital streaming services. The central question is whether Kane will end England’s long wait for another winner, Yamal will achieve a landmark individual triumph, or Mbappé will secure the recognition that has eluded him. Whatever the result, the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony promises to celebrate another significant chapter in football history, bringing together established champions and emerging stars for an evening devoted to excellence in the global game.
