Ballon dOr Brings 70th Anniversary Ceremony to London on October 26

Football's leading individual awards will celebrate their 70th anniversary in London, England, on Monday, October 26, 2026, when the Ballon dOr ceremony takes place at the London Palladium Theatre. According to UEFA, the event begins at 20:00 GMT, with Thierry Henry and Kate Scott serving as hosts. The ceremony will be held in London for the first time since the award was established by France Football in 1956.

UEFA and Groupe Amaury are jointly organizing the event, which recognizes outstanding achievements in men's and women's football. UEFA reported that the awards include the men's and women's Ballon dOr, alongside other honors presented during the ceremony. The organization also confirmed that each winner will receive an original trophy, continuing the tradition of producing a new original for every existing category each year.

Henry, the former France international and Arsenal star, will host the ceremony alongside Scott, an experienced sports broadcaster. In comments provided to an additional source cited by Goal, Henry highlighted his connection to the host city and his enthusiasm for the event.

"I’m honoured to be hosting this year’s Ballon d’Or. London is the city I call home, and I have a deep connection to its football culture and the passionate fans here, so to be hosting here alongside my friend and colleague Kate feels like a natural fit," Henry said. Scott returns to the presenting role after previously hosting the ceremony in 2014, 2015 and 2025. Her experience covering major football events includes working alongside Henry on Champions League broadcasts.

"The Ballon d’Or is an iconic night on the football calendar and the pinnacle of individual achievement in the game. I love seeing the football world come together to honor the players who inspire generations. I’m incredibly grateful and excited to be hosting this legendary event again," Scott said.

The men's shortlist includes Lionel Messi, the record eight-time winner, alongside defending champion Ousmane Dembele and 2024 recipient Rodri. Other nominated players highlighted by Goal include Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Joao Neves.

Messi is seeking another individual honor while playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid, is pursuing his first Ballon dOr, while Dembele and Rodri enter the competition as previous winners. In the women's category, Aitana Bonmati is seeking to retain the award she won in 2025.

Alexia Putellas, the 2021 and 2022 winner, is the only other former women's champion on the shortlist, according to UEFA. Goal also identified Barcelona teammates Ewa Pajor and Caroline Graham Hansen among the women's nominees. Manchester City's Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp, Zambia's Barbra Banda, Malawi's Temwa Chawinga, Esmee Brugts and Vicky Lopez are also featured in its coverage of the shortlist.

London was selected in tribute to Stanley Matthews, the English footballer who became the inaugural Ballon dOr winner in 1956. UEFA and Groupe Amaury announced their partnership to co-organize the awards on November 3, 2023, with France Football and LEquipe retaining responsibility for the voting system.