The world’s top soccer talents are gathering in London for the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, where the sport’s most esteemed individual accolades will be awarded. Among the frontrunners vying for the coveted 2026 Ballon d’Or are Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Rodri, Ousmane Dembélé, and Harry Kane. The final selections will be announced shortly by an international jury of soccer journalists, in a ceremony organized by France Football in partnership with UEFA.
Besides the main award, the event will also honor a variety of other prestigious distinctions, including the Women’s Ballon d’Or, best coach awards, the team of the year, and the best goalkeeper prize. This celebration shines a spotlight on some of the most remarkable achievements in soccer over the past season.
London Hosts the Ceremony in a Historic Setting
Marking a notable change of venue, the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony is being held in London, England, departing from its traditional home in France. This decision pays homage to Sir Stanley Matthews, the winner of the first-ever Ballon d’Or in 1956. The event will take place at the iconic London Palladium, a theater that can accommodate over 2,000 attendees, offering a grand stage for this prestigious occasion.
Programmé for Monday, octobre 26, the ceremony will begin at 8 p.m. local time in London, which corresponds to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. This year’s ceremony arrives slightly later than usual, as the awards are typically presented in septembre.
For viewers in the United States, the event will be broadcast live on DAZN, ensuring soccer fans across the country can witness the announcement of this year’s top performers.