Ballon d'Or 2026: date, time, favourites, nominees and BBC

Harry Kane, the England captain, has scored 73 goals at club and international level in recent seasons, making him a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or award. His consistency and high performances have earned him a prominent place in the race for football awards.

Why it matters

The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony is an important event for the football world, where Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and other top players will be recognised. The award not only honors individual achievements, but also reflects the growth and competitiveness of football. This time the ceremony being held in London is a historic moment, which pays tribute to England's first winner, Stanley Matthews.

Key Points

• 2026 Ballon d'Or: date, time, favourites, nominees and BBC.
• The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on 26 October in London, recognizing the world's best football talents. Players nominated include players like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Lamin Yamal.
• Ballon d'Or 2026: Date, start time, favourites, nominees & how to follow on the BBC - BBC Sport.

Returning for its 70th year, the Ballon d'Or ceremony will once again recognize the world's best football talents. The ceremony, run by France Football magazine since 1956, is considered the highest standard of individual awards for professional football players. This time the Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on October 26, 2026 at 8 pm GMT at the Palladium Theatre, London. This is the first time the event is taking place in London, intended to pay tribute to England's Stanley Matthews, who was the first winner of the award in 1956.

The ceremony is traditionally held in France, and since 2019 it has been held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Ballon d'Or winners are selected using a two-voter system. For the men's award, the final list of 30 players is decided by a team of journalists, which is published a few months before the ceremony. The list is then ranked by 100 journalists from around the world, and their rankings are combined to select a winner.

The event will focus on the performances of players who have performed well recently at the international level, especially since the 2026 World Cup was recently concluded. The Spanish team can win the 2026 World Cup, which could increase the ranking of the six nominated players there. But players with outstanding individual performances such as Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will also be in contention for the award.

Harry Kane, who is the England captain, scored 73 goals in club and international competitions in the 2025–26 season. Although only recent seasons are taken into account for the rankings, Kane has scored 156 goals in 158 matches for Bayern Munich since 2023.

Lamin Yamal, who is 19, also played a key role in the Spanish team that won the World Cup. His performances have again earned him a nomination for the Ballon d'Or.

Kylian Mbappe also won the Golden Boot by scoring 10 goals in the 2026 World Cup and scored 42 goals for his club Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi, who is the Argentina captain, also scored eight goals in the competition and made 29 appearances for his club Inter Miami.

A total of 13 awards will be presented at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, including the men's and women's Ballon d'Or, the Kopa Trophy, the Yashin Trophy, and the Gerard Mueller Trophy. The BBC Sport website and app will provide live text updates of all awards ceremonies.

What will happen next

The list of players nominated at the ceremony includes stars like Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, who have been performing brilliantly in recent seasons. The results of the 2026 FIFA World Cup may also influence the rankings, especially after Spain's victory. As the date of the ceremony approaches, the curiosity of football fans will increase and the discussions will intensify.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Ballon d'Or ceremony take place?

The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on October 26, 2026 at the Palladium Theater in London at 8 pm GMT.

How are the Ballon d'Or winners selected?

Ballon d'Or winners are selected using a two-voter system, in which a final list of 30 players is decided by journalists and then ranked by 100 journalists.

Which major players are nominated for the Ballon d'Or this time?

Prominent players like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland are nominated for this year's Ballon d'Or.

What is the history of the Ballon d'Or ceremony?

The Ballon d'Or ceremony has been organized by France Football magazine since 1956 and is considered the highest standard of individual awards for professional football players.

Which country became the winner of 2026 World Cup?

The Spanish team won 20

Has won 26 World Cups.

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