London Hosts the 70th Ballon d'Or Ceremony with Open Race

The 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place on Monday, October 26, 2026, marking a historic shift as the event moves from its traditional home at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris to the London Palladium Theatre in London. Celebrating its milestone anniversary, the gala gathers thirty male and thirty female nominees awaiting the announcement of the world's best players, who will succeed previous winners Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí.

For the men's category, international analysts point to Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane as top contenders, alongside previous winner Rodri and Fabián Ruiz. On the women's side, competition remains fiercely contested, with Barcelona players holding strong prospects and Alexia Putellas aiming to claim her third Ballon d'Or title. Meanwhile, prominent figures like Aitana Bonmatí are sidelined from contention due to injuries sustained during the previous season.

The voting process relies on an international jury composed of specialized journalists representing the top-ranked FIFA nations. Each juror submits a hierarchical list of ten players based on individual performance, collective trophies, team influence, class, and fair play. As the ceremony unfolds, the publication of preliminary rankings highlights the placements of several prominent athletes, including Lautaro Martínez finishing in the 22nd position and Marc Cucurella entering the classification at 18th.

Several high-profile absences drew attention ahead of the event. Lionel Messi, nominated for the 17th time in pursuit of a record ninth award following an impressive performance in the 2026 international tournament, opted not to travel to London. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez also stayed away from the gala, a notable absence that historically aligns with victories by players from other clubs.

The evening also features additional awards recognizing coaching excellence, young talents, and top goalkeepers, with several Spanish contenders and international stars nominated across multiple categories. Among the goalkeeper nominees for the Yashin Trophy are Emiliano Martínez, Thibaut Courtois, and Unai Simón, reflecting a broad geographic representation of top-tier talent.

With the ceremony broadcast globally across various digital platforms and television networks, the event pays tribute to the rich history of the sport. The coveted trophy itself, crafted from brass and fine gold by French artisans, stands as a lasting symbol of individual excellence in global football.