Ballon d’Or 2026: London hosts the ceremony for the first time, with Hakimi and Mané in contention

The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place on October 26, 2026, at London’s London Palladium, marking the first time the event is held in the city and honoring Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner in 1956. Places 30 through 11 are announced in the afternoon, followed by the Top 10 during the evening ceremony hosted by Thierry Henry and Kate Scott. Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal are among the contenders, while Achraf Hakimi and Sadio Mané represent Africa. The ceremony will reveal the successor to 2025 winner Ousmane Dembélé and also award the women’s Ballon d’Or, currently held by Aitana Bonmatí.