The Ballon d’Or awards ceremony will take place in London for the first time this year, with organisers confirming the event is scheduled for October 26. The prestigious prize is also set to mark its 70th anniversary.
Established by France Football magazine in 1956, the Ballon d’Or is widely viewed as the most sought-after individual honour in world football. The edition in 2026 will therefore carry a major milestone as it celebrates seven decades of recognising top performers.
Quick facts
- The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony is set for London on October 26.
- The award was created by France Football in 1956.
- The move to London is intended to honour England great Stanley Matthews.
- The men’s and women’s winners in 2025 were Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí.
- The specific venue is still to be announced, despite the ceremony traditionally being held in Paris.
The choice to host the 70th edition in London is a tribute to England icon Stanley Matthews, who was the award’s first winner more than seven decades ago, UEFA said. The European governing body added that the decision reflects the prize’s continuing growth and international reach.
UEFA added that staging the ceremony in the capital of England and the wider United Kingdom underlines the Ballon d’Or’s standing as a globally prestigious brand. It stressed the event’s expansion while reinforcing the award’s position on the world stage.
While the ceremony has typically been held in Paris, the exact location in London has not yet been revealed. Organisers are expected to confirm the venue closer to the date.
In the most recent edition, Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé was named the men’s winner, while Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí took the women’s prize in 2025.
