Football fans worldwide are set to turn their attention to London on Monday as the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony brings together some of the biggest names in the sport to celebrate outstanding individual and team performances.
The 70th edition of the prestigious awards will take place on October 26 at the London Palladium, with winners expected to be announced across several categories, including the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or.
The ceremony will mark a historic departure from tradition, as the awards will be staged outside Paris for the first time. The choice of London is also a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, who became the inaugural winner of the men’s Ballon d’Or in 1956.
Players, coaches and other prominent football figures are expected to attend the event, which will recognise achievements during the relevant assessment period for the 2026 awards.
What time will the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony start?
The main ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. British Summer Time (BST), equivalent to 9 p.m. West Africa Time (WAT) in Nigeria.
Red-carpet arrivals and interviews are expected to begin at 6 p.m. BST, allowing fans to see the nominees and invited guests arrive ahead of the main event.
The ceremony is expected to conclude at approximately 10 p.m. BST, followed by a press conference featuring the award winners.
For Nigerian viewers, the main event will therefore begin at 9 p.m. on Monday, October 26.
How to watch the Ballon d’Or ceremony live
Football enthusiasts will be able to follow the event through the official Ballon d’Or website and designated broadcast partners.
The official website is also expected to provide updates on the ceremony, nominees and winners as the announcements unfold.
Fans should check the official Ballon d’Or channels and their local sports broadcasters for confirmed livestream links and television coverage in their respective countries.
Kane, Yamal headline men’s award contenders
England captain Harry Kane and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal are among the prominent names attracting attention ahead of the men’s Ballon d’Or announcement.
Kane is seeking to become the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen claimed the honour in 2001. His candidacy places him among the leading figures in the conversation surrounding this year’s individual prize.
Yamal, meanwhile, is seeking to add the prestigious award to his growing list of achievements after another notable campaign with Barcelona.
Other high-profile names in the men’s category include defending champion Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, is also listed among the prominent nominees, alongside other leading players from European and international football.
The final outcome will be determined through the award’s established voting process, with the ceremony set to reveal which player receives the honour.
Women’s Ballon d’Or also in focus
Attention will also turn to the women’s category, where Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas is among the nominees seeking another Ballon d’Or Féminin title.
The women’s award recognises the outstanding performer in women’s football over the relevant assessment period, highlighting the continued growth and competitiveness of the women’s game.
The announcement is expected to attract interest from supporters following the performances of leading players across domestic leagues and international competitions.
Other awards to be presented
Beyond the two main Ballon d’Or prizes, the ceremony will recognise achievements across several other categories.
These include the Kopa Trophy for outstanding young players, the Yashin Trophy for goalkeepers, the Johan Cruyff Trophy for coaches, the Gerd Müller Trophy for goalscorers and the Club of the Year awards.
The Sócrates Award will also recognise football-related solidarity initiatives and contributions to social causes.
Together, the awards celebrate achievements across different areas of the game, from individual performances and coaching excellence to team success and social impact.
A historic edition of football’s prestigious awards
The 2026 ceremony carries additional significance as the Ballon d’Or marks its 70th anniversary.
Since its introduction in 1956, the award has become one of football’s most recognised individual honours, celebrating players whose performances have distinguished them during the assessment period.
Moving the ceremony to London for the first time adds a new chapter to its history, while the presence of established stars and emerging talents is expected to make the event a major occasion on the football calendar.
With the winners set to be announced on Monday night, attention will focus on who emerges from the nominees to claim this year’s honours in the men’s and women’s categories, alongside the other awards recognising excellence across the sport.
