Overview
- Organisers France Football and UEFA confirmed on Thursday that the 70th Ballon d'Or will take place in London on 26 October 2026.
- The move was presented as a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the award's first winner in 1956, and as part of the co‑organisers' effort to broaden the event's global reach.
- The exact London venue has not been announced and key logistics such as media accreditation and the 30‑player shortlist will be published closer to the ceremony.
- Voting will follow the established process of a global panel of journalists each ranking a top 10 from the 30‑player shortlist, while bookmakers and media already cite Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembélé and others as early front‑runners.
- The ceremony shift breaks a long Paris tradition for the prize that began in 1956; Lionel Messi still holds the record with eight Ballon d'Ors and the 2025 winners remain Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí.