Ballon d'Or 2026: date, time, how to watch and every nominee for Monday's ceremony in London
For the first time the Ballon d'Or ceremony leaves France: the 70th edition takes place at the London Palladium on Monday 26 October. Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal lead the race to succeed Ousmane Dembélé.
The 70th Ballon d'Or will be presented on Monday 26 October 2026 at the London Palladium, the first time the ceremony has been held outside France. Here is everything you need to know.
When and where
| Date | Monday 26 October 2026 |
| Time | 20:00 UK time (04:00 Tuesday 27 October, Beijing) |
| Venue | London Palladium, London |
| Hosts | Kate Scott and Thierry Henry |
| How to watch | Free live stream on DAZN and the official Ballon d'Or website; also on beIN Sports |
The ceremony has been held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris since 2019; organisers say London will host to mark the 70th anniversary, with a return to Paris expected in 2027.
The men's Ballon d'Or: who are the favourites?
The 30-man shortlist includes 10 Paris Saint-Germain players. The main contenders:
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England): a huge season in Germany has made him one of the two favourites.
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain): the other leading candidate. He plays El Clásico the night before — see our Barcelona v Real Madrid preview.
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France) and Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France): the strongest challengers behind the top two.
- Ousmane Dembélé (PSG, France): the 2025 winner.
Other nominees include Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Rodri, William Saliba, Declan Rice, Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes and Lautaro Martínez. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) is on the list as an outsider; Cristiano Ronaldo is not nominated.
We looked at the case for each favourite in who will win the Ballon d'Or 2026, and you can see every past winner in our Ballon d'Or winners list.
The Ballon d'Or Féminin
Nominees include Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen, Ewa Pajor, Vivianne Miedema, Khadija Shaw, Alessia Russo, Esmée Brugts, Rose Lavelle, Barbra Banda and Tessa Wullaert. Aitana Bonmatí, the winner of the last three editions, is not expected to win a fourth after an injury-hit season.
The other awards
Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper): Yassine Bounou, Thibaut Courtois, Joan García, Gregor Kobel, Emiliano Martínez, Edouard Mendy, David Raya, Matvey Safonov, Unai Simón, Vozinha
Men's coach of the year: Mikel Arteta, Luis de la Fuente, Unai Emery, Vincent Kompany, Luis Enrique
Men's club of the year: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt, Flamengo, PSG
Women's coach of the year: Jonatan Giráldez, Andrée Jeglertz, Nils Nielsen, Pere Romeu, Elena Sadiku
Women's club of the year: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Club América, Manchester City, OL Lyonnes
Awards for the best young player, top scorers and the humanitarian award will also be presented.
A big night for the Premier League
Arsenal could win club of the year, Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery are up for coach of the year, David Raya is on the goalkeeper list, and Saliba, Rice, Haaland and Bruno Fernandes are on the men's shortlist. If Kane wins, he would be the first Englishman to lift the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
FAQ
When is the Ballon d'Or 2026? Monday 26 October 2026, from 20:00 UK time (04:00 on Tuesday in Beijing).
Where is the Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony? At the London Palladium in London, the first time it has been held outside France.
Who won the Ballon d'Or in 2025? Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain.
How can I watch the Ballon d'Or? A free live stream is available on DAZN and the official Ballon d'Or website; beIN Sports also shows it.
