Ballon d’Or 2026: The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or will see the best players from the 2025/26 season compete for football’s most prestigious individual award. France Football will announce the nominees for the men’s and women’s awards on Tuesday, September 8, while the winners will be crowned at a special ceremony in London in October. Here are all the details, including the nominee announcement date, deadline, probable names, ceremony date and voting process.
When Will Ballon d’Or 2026 Nominees Be Announced?
France Football will officially announce the nominees for the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 on Tuesday, September 8, between 11 AM and 4 PM CET. A 30-player shortlist for the men’s award will be revealed, with the eventual winner selected from those nominees.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Nomination Deadline
The announcement of the 30-player shortlist on September 8 will mark the confirmation of the contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or 2026. At the awards ceremony, the nominees will be ranked from bottom to top based on the votes, with the player finishing first being crowned the winner.
When Is Ballon d’Or 2026 Ceremony?
The Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26. The 70th edition of the prestigious awards will be held in London, England, rather than the traditional venue of Paris. The change of location is part of the celebrations for the milestone edition and honours the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner, Sir Stanley Matthews.
Who Are the Probable Ballon d’Or 2026 Nominees?
Several leading stars are expected to be in contention for the Ballon d’Or 2026 after their performances during the 2025/26 season. Lionel Messi, Rodri and Harry Kane are among the prominent names being considered, with Kane emerging as one of the leading favourites for the prestigious individual honour.
Rodri, 2024 winner, could also be in contention again after playing a key role for Spain during their successful World Cup campaign. The final list of 30 nominees will be confirmed by France Football on September 8.
How Are Ballon d’Or 2026 Winners Decided?
A panel of international journalists selected by France Football will determine the 30 finalists for the men’s Ballon d’Or and the shortlist for the Yashin Trophy, which is awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper. The women’s Ballon d’Or winner will be selected by a group of 50 international women’s football journalists.
Meanwhile, a panel of 32 former Ballon d’Or winners will nominate the 10 finalists for the Kopa Trophy, which recognises the best under-21 player. The reduced number of jurors is intended to provide greater objectivity while placing increased emphasis on individual excellence and the player deemed most deserving of the award.
Ballon d’Or 2026: All You Need to Know
- Nominee Announcement: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Men’s Shortlist: 30 players
- Awards Ceremony: Monday, October 26, 2026
- Venue: London, England
- Probable Contenders: Lionel Messi, Rodri, Harry Kane and other leading stars from the 2025/26 season
Aditya Pimpale is a sports journalist currently working with News X, with previous experience at WION, India TV and India Today. With a keen interest in cricket, football, Formula 1, tennis and other major sporting disciplines, he brings a versatile perspective to sports journalism. Aditya has extensive on-ground reporting experience, having covered multiple IPL seasons, including the 2025 and 2026 finals from the stadium. He also covered the 2026 T20 World Cup from the ground, including the final in Ahmedabad. His work focuses on breaking news, match reports, analysis, interviews, features, sports trends and engaging digital storytelling.
