Overview
- France Football announced the 70th Ballon d'Or will take place in London on October 26, 2026, with the date and city confirmed by the organizers.
- The move is presented as a tribute to Stanley Matthews, the English player who was the first Ballon d'Or winner in 1956.
- This will be the first time the gala is held outside Paris, breaking a long-running tradition of staging the ceremony in the French capital.
- France Football has not named a London venue; media reports have speculated about Wembley Stadium but that site remains unconfirmed.
- The announcement cites the award’s history — including its original Europe-only eligibility that excluded figures such as Pelé and Maradona — and references the current 2025 winners, Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí, to situate the celebration.