After a season of jaw-dropping goals and standout performances, the biggest names in soccer are taking over London for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony!
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names → drop → ceremony
The annual awards honor the sport’s best players, young talents, goalkeepers, coaches, and clubs.
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awards → honor → players
This year marks the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or, which was first awarded in 1956.
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which → mark → 1956
Last year’s winners, Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí, will be among the names on everyone’s radar as soccer’s biggest stars gather to celebrate the season’s best.
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stars → gather → best
Wondering what time the Ballon d’Or starts, where to watch the ceremony live, and who’s nominated for which award?
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who → wonder → award
Here’s everything you need to know.
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you → ’ → ?
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium in London, England.
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ceremony → take → London
The red carpet begins at 1 p.m. ET (6 p.m. London time), followed by the awards ceremony at 3 p.m. ET (8 p.m. London time).
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carpet → begin → p.m.
Soccer fans can watch the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony live on DAZN.
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fans → watch → DAZN
The streaming service is available for $34.99/month or $249.99/year (billed upfront) or $24.99/month for a year (billed monthly).
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service → bill → year
Coverage is also available through the official Ballon d’Or website, which features live coverage, interviews, and updates from the event.
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Who Is Hosting And Performing At The 2026 Ballon d’Or?
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Football legend Thierry Henry and British sports presenter Kate Scott will host the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony at London’s Palladium Theatre.
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Henry → host → Theatre
The ceremony will also feature performances by British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith, who will open the show with her hit “Blue Lights” to mark the 10th anniversary of her debut single, and rapper French Montana.
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who → feature → single
Organizers have also teased additional surprises throughout the evening.
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Organizers → tease → evening
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Pau Cubarsí (Spain, Barcelona)
- Marc Cucurella (Spain, Chelsea/Real Madrid)
- Ousmane Dembélé (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Luis Díaz (Colombia, Bayern München)
- Bruno Fernandes (Portugal, Manchester United)
- Gabriel (Brazil, Arsenal)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Harry Kane (England, Bayern München)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
- Sadio Mané (Senegal, Al-Nassr)
- Marquinhos (Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter)
- Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)
- Nuno Mendes (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
- João Neves (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Michael Olise (France, Bayern München)
- Willian Pacho (Ecuador, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Julián Quiñones (Mexico, Al-Qadsiah)
- Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
- Rodri (Spain, Manchester City/Barcelona)
- Fabián Ruiz (Spain, Paris Saint-Germain)
- William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
- Ferran Torres (Spain, Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain)
- Dayot Upamecano (France, Bayern München)
- Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
Who Are The 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or Nominees?
- Selma Bacha (France, OL Lyonnes)
- Barbra Banda (Zambia, Orlando Pride)
- Esmee Brugts (Netherlands, Barcelona)
- Klara Bühl (Germany, Bayern München)
- Mariona Caldentey (Spain, Arsenal)
- Scarlett Camberos (Mexico, Club América)
- Kerstin Casparij (Netherlands, Manchester City)
- Temwa Chawinga (Malawi, Kansas City Current)
- Cata Coll (Spain, Barcelona)
- Melchie Dumornay (Haiti, OL Lyonnes)
- Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona)
- Alex Greenwood (England, Manchester City)
- Patri Guijarro (Spain, Barcelona)
- Pernille Harder (Denmark, Bayern München)
- Yui Hasegawa (Japan, Manchester City)
- Rose Lavelle (United States, Gotham FC)
- Mapi León (Spain, Barcelona/London City Lionesses)
- Lorena (Brazil, Kansas City Current)
- Melvine Malard (France, Manchester United/Chelsea)
- Manaka Matsukubo (Japan, North Carolina Courage/Chelsea)
- Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands, Manchester City)
- Ewa Pajor (Poland, Barcelona)
- Clàudia Pina (Spain, Barcelona)
- Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona/London City Lionesses)
- Wendie Renard (France, OL Lyonnes)
- Alessia Russo (England, Arsenal)
- Khadija Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City)
- Momoko Tanikawa (Japan, Bayern München)
- Caroline Weir (Scotland, Real Madrid/OL Lyonnes)
- Tessa Wullaert (Belgium, Inter/Como)
Who Is Nominated For Young Talent Of The Year?
The Kopa Trophy recognizes the season’s standout young talent.
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The men’s nominees are:
- Kerim Alajbegović (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Salzburg/Juventus)
- Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco, Lille/Manchester City)
- Pau Cubarsí (Spain, Barcelona)
- Yan Diomandé (Côte d’Ivoire, Leipzig/Real Madrid)
- Lennart Karl (Germany, Bayern München)
- Éli Junior Kroupi (France, Bournemouth)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
- Johan Manzambi (Switzerland, Freiburg/Aston Villa)
- Ibrahim Maza (Algeria, Leverkusen)
- Warren Zaïre-Emery (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
The women’s nominees are:
- Veerle Buurman (Netherlands, Chelsea)
- Vicky López (Spain, Barcelona)
- Felicia Schröder (Sweden, Häcken/Real Madrid)
- Clara Serrajordi (Spain, Barcelona)
- Lily Yohannes (United States, OL Lyonnes)
Who Is Nominated For Goalkeeper Of The Year?
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Who → nominate → Year
The Yashin Trophy recognizes the season’s top goalkeepers.
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Trophy → recognize → goalkeepers
The men’s nominees are:
- Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
- Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Real Madrid)
- Joan García (Spain, Barcelona)
- Gregor Kobel (Switzerland, Dortmund)
- Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa/Chelsea)
- Édouard Mendy (Senegal, Al-Ahli)
- David Raya (Spain, Arsenal)
- Matvey Safonov (Russia, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Club)
- Vozinha (Cape Verde, Chaves/Colo-Colo)
The women’s nominees are:
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany, Gotham FC)
- Cata Coll (Spain, Barcelona)
- Hannah Hampton (England, Chelsea)
- Lorena (Brazil, Kansas City Current)
- Ayaka Yamashita (Japan, Manchester City)
What Other Awards Are Presented At The Ballon d’Or?
Along with the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or trophies, the ceremony recognizes achievements across the sport through several additional awards:
- Johan Cruyff Trophy: Coach of the Year, with men’s and women’s awards.
- Gerd Müller Trophy: Recognizes the season’s leading striker, with men’s and women’s awards.
- Club of the Year: Honors standout men’s and women’s clubs.
- Socrates Award: Recognizes humanitarian work and social-impact initiatives.
The men’s Coach of the Year nominees are:
- Mikel Arteta (Spain, Arsenal)
- Luis de la Fuente (Spain, Spain national team)
- Unai Emery (Spain, Aston Villa)
- Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Bayern München)
- Luis Enrique (Spain, Paris Saint-Germain)
The women’s Coach of the Year nominees are:
- Jonatan Giráldez (Spain, OL Lyonnes)
- Andrée Jeglertz (Sweden, Manchester City)
- Nils Nielsen (Denmark, Japan national team)
- Pere Romeu (Spain, Barcelona)
- Elena Sadiku (Sweden, Celtic/Häcken)
For Club of the Year, the men’s nominees are Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain.
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nominees → present → Year
The winners will be announced during Monday’s ceremony in London.
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winners → announce → London
Fans can watch the action live on DAZN or follow along with interviews, live updates and the latest results on the official Ballon d’Or website.
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Fans → watch → website
The Aporia
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