Paris: The Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony is set to take place on Monday, October 26, with Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane among the leading contenders for the men’s award. In the women’s category, Alexia Putellas, Khadija Shaw and Claudia Pina are among the players in contention for the prestigious individual honour.
The ceremony will be held at the London Palladium, marking the first time London has hosted the awards and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or, which was first presented by French magazine France Football in 1956.
With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo having dominated the award for much of the past two decades, this year’s ceremony could mark another significant moment in the emergence of a new generation of football stars.
Here is everything you need to know about the Ballon d’Or 2026, including the ceremony schedule, live streaming information, leading contenders, voting process and award history.
When and Where Is the Ballon d’Or 2026 Ceremony?
The Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium in London, England.
The event is scheduled to begin at 8 pm GMT, which means football fans in India will have to tune in at 1:30 am IST on Tuesday, October 27.
This is the first time London has hosted the ceremony. The awards were last held outside France in 2015, making the move to the British capital a notable milestone in the event’s history.
The 2026 edition also marks 70 years since the inaugural Ballon d’Or awards in 1956. The women’s Ballon d’Or was introduced in 2018.
Ballon d’Or 2026: Where to Watch Live in India?
Football fans are keen to know where they can watch the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony live.
DAZN has been indicated as a possible streaming platform in available search results. However, official broadcast confirmation for India remains unclear.
Viewers should check the official Ballon d’Or and DAZN platforms for the latest information on live streaming and regional broadcast arrangements before the ceremony.
Live streaming details for India: Yet to be officially confirmed.
Who Are the Favourites for the Men’s Ballon d’Or 2026?
Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are among the leading names in contention for the men’s Ballon d’Or.
The award was won by Ousmane Dembele in 2025, and this year’s race could provide another opportunity for a new name to join football’s elite list of winners.
Lamine Yamal
Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal has emerged as one of the leading contenders after establishing himself as one of the most influential young players in world football.
Having won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player in consecutive years, Yamal is now chasing his first senior Ballon d’Or.
His performances for Barcelona and Spain have strengthened his reputation, with his creativity, technical ability and influence in attacking situations making him a strong candidate for the individual prize.
Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe remains another major contender following another impressive individual campaign.
The France captain, who won the FIFA World Cup in 2018, continues to rank among the most prolific attacking players in the game. However, the absence of major team honours during the relevant assessment period could influence his chances.
Mbappe finished seventh in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting and will be hoping to improve on that position this year.
Harry Kane
England captain Harry Kane has also strengthened his Ballon d’Or credentials through his outstanding goalscoring record and performances for Bayern Munich.
Kane has continued to make history in German football, becoming the fastest player to reach 100 Bundesliga goals in just 98 appearances.
His individual achievements and contributions to Bayern Munich’s success put him among the leading candidates. However, only performances recorded during the official eligibility period will count towards the 2026 award.
Can Harry Kane Win the Ballon d’Or 2026?
Kane’s remarkable goalscoring consistency has placed him firmly in the conversation for football’s most prestigious individual award.
Reaching 100 Bundesliga goals in 98 appearances underlines his effectiveness and consistency at the highest level. His performances for Bayern Munich and England during the assessment period will be central to his chances.
However, the Ballon d’Or is not decided solely on goals scored. Individual performances, team achievements, decisive contributions in important matches and sporting conduct also form part of the evaluation.
Kane’s form at the beginning of the 2026-27 season will not count towards this edition, as the eligibility period ended on July 19, 2026.
Who Are the Contenders for the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026?
The women’s Ballon d’Or race is also expected to attract considerable attention, with several established stars in contention.
Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas is among the leading names after contributing to the club’s success in domestic and European competitions before moving to London City Lionesses.
Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw and Barcelona attacker Claudia Pina are also among the players being discussed as potential contenders.
Three-time defending champion Aitana Bonmati is absent from the shortlist after suffering a broken leg in December. Her absence guarantees that the women’s award will have a new winner in 2026.
How Is the Ballon d’Or Winner Selected?
The Ballon d’Or is decided through a voting process involving specialist football journalists from the top 100 nations in the FIFA men’s world rankings.
Each participating journalist selects and ranks 10 players from the 30 nominees.
The points system awards 15 points to the player ranked first, with the remaining selections receiving progressively fewer points, down to one point for the player ranked 10th.
The player with the highest overall points total wins the award.
The assessment considers several factors, including:
Individual performances and decisive contributions.
Team achievements during the relevant period.
A player’s ability to influence important matches.
Sporting class, fair play and professional conduct.
If two players finish level on points, the number of first-place votes is used to determine the winner, followed by second-place votes and subsequent rankings.
What Is the Eligibility Period for the Ballon d’Or 2026?
The assessment period for the 2026 Ballon d’Or runs from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026.
Only performances within this period are considered by the voters. As a result, a player’s form during the opening weeks of the 2026-27 season will not affect the outcome.
This system ensures that the award recognises achievements across a defined period rather than simply reflecting a player’s form immediately before the ceremony.
Who Has Won the Most Ballon d’Or Awards?
Lionel Messi holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or wins, having claimed the award eight times. His most recent victory came in 2023.
Cristiano Ronaldo ranks second with five titles, the last of which he won in 2017.
Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten have each won the award three times.
Messi and Ronaldo dominated the Ballon d’Or race for much of the past two decades, establishing one of football’s most remarkable individual rivalries. The emergence of contenders such as Yamal, Mbappe and Kane highlights the changing landscape of the sport.
What Other Awards Will Be Presented at the Ballon d’Or Ceremony?
Alongside the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards, the ceremony will recognise achievements across several other categories.
The major honours include:
Kopa Trophy: Best young player.
Yashin Trophy: Best goalkeeper.
Johan Cruyff Trophy: Best coach.
Club of the Year: Recognising outstanding clubs in the men’s and women’s categories.
Gerd Muller Trophy: Recognising leading goalscorers in men’s and women’s football.
Socrates Award: Honouring humanitarian work and contributions to social causes.
These awards recognise excellence across different aspects of football, from individual performances and coaching to team success and social responsibility.
Why Is the Ballon d’Or 2026 Ceremony Special?
The 2026 ceremony carries additional significance as it celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or, first awarded in 1956.
London’s selection as the host city adds another milestone, with the British capital staging the ceremony for the first time.
On the pitch, the men’s race reflects the transition from the era dominated by Messi and Ronaldo towards a new generation of contenders. Yamal’s rise, Mbappe’s continued individual brilliance and Kane’s goalscoring achievements provide three different narratives heading into the event.
The women’s award will also produce a new champion following Bonmati’s absence from the shortlist.
With the ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London, football fans around the world will be watching to see who emerges as the next winner of one of the sport’s most celebrated individual honours.
