The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is heading to London for the first time, with the world’s best players set to gather in the capital for the prestigious awards night.

The Ballon d’Or is returning in 2026 but this year’s ceremony will look a little different.

For the first time in the award’s 70-year history, football’s most prestigious individual awards will be held in London.

The ceremony will bring together the biggest names from across the men’s and women’s game, with the winners of the Ballon d’Or, Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy and other awards all set to be recognised.

Striver.Football covers everything you need to know ahead of this year’s ceremony.

When Is the 2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony?

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8pm UK time and is expected to last around two hours.

There will also be a red-carpet event and reception before the main ceremony gets underway.

Where Will the 2026 Ballon d’Or Be Held?

The 2026 ceremony will be held in London, England, marking the first time the Ballon d’Or has been staged in the UK.

The decision was made to celebrate the award’s 70th anniversary and pay tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, who became the first-ever Ballon d’Or winner in 1956.

UEFA confirmed the move to London in May, with further event details to be announced ahead of the ceremony.

The London Palladium has been reported as the expected venue, although the organisers had not officially confirmed the venue at the time of publication.

When Will the 2026 Ballon d’Or Nominees Be Announced?

The shortlist for the 2026 awards is expected to be revealed on Tuesday, September 8.

That means the race for this year’s prizes is about to become much clearer, with nominees for both the men's and women's Ballon d'Or among those expected to be announced.

The shortlist will also include the other major awards presented on the night.

These include the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, Gerd Müller Trophy, Johan Cruyff Trophy and Club of the Year awards.

Who Are the Reigning Ballon d’Or Winners?

The reigning winners are Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí.

Dembélé claimed the men's award after a hugely successful campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, while Bonmatí retained the women's Ballon d'Or after another outstanding season with Barcelona.

Both will now see whether they can make the shortlist again as they look to defend their crowns.

Why Is the 2026 Ballon d’Or Being Held in London?

The decision to bring the ceremony to London has particular historical significance.

The first Ballon d’Or was awarded in 1956 to England and Blackpool legend Stanley Matthews.

Seventy years later, the ceremony will therefore return to the country where the award's history began.

The move also underlines the global appeal of the Ballon d’Or, which is now jointly organised by France Football and UEFA.

The partnership between UEFA and the Amaury Group, which owns the Ballon d’Or brand, began in 2024.

Which Awards Will Be Presented at the 2026 Ballon d’Or?

The Ballon d’Or is now much more than a single award.

Alongside the men's and women's prizes, the ceremony will recognise the best young players, goalkeepers, coaches, goalscorers and clubs from the previous season.

The main awards include:

  • Men's Ballon d'Or
  • Women's Ballon d'Or
  • Men's Kopa Trophy
  • Women's Kopa Trophy
  • Men's Yashin Trophy
  • Women's Yashin Trophy
  • Men's Gerd Müller Trophy
  • Women's Gerd Müller Trophy
  • Men's Johan Cruyff Trophy
  • Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy
  • Men's Club of the Year
  • Women's Club of the Year

The awards recognise performances across the previous season, with the voting process remaining under the control of France Football.

What Happens Next in the 2026 Ballon d’Or Race?

With the ceremony now just weeks away, attention will quickly turn towards the players who have done enough to earn a place among the nominees.

And with the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place earlier in the summer, this year's awards will have an added layer of intrigue.

The biggest question will be whether success on the international stage can influence the final vote — particularly with some of football's biggest stars having the chance to write their names into World Cup history before heading to London.

For now, though, the first major date is September 8.

The nominees will be revealed, the debates will begin, and the road to the 2026 Ballon d’Or will officially get underway.