Overview
- France Football announced that the official shortlists for the 2026 Ballon d'Or across all categories will be published on September 8.
- The ceremony will take place in London on October 26 as a special 70th‑anniversary edition that honors Sir Stanley Matthews and relocates the gala from its recent Paris venue.
- Nominee counts were published for twelve categories, including 30 players each for the men’s and women’s Ballon d'Or and tiered shortlists for young talents, goalkeepers, coaches, forwards and clubs.
- Winners will be decided by an international panel of specialist journalists who will rank candidates using three stated criteria: individual performance, team titles and fair play.
- The change of venue and expanded category structure aim to broaden recognition across genders and roles and will shape voting and publicity as the shortlist announcement approaches.