Created by France Football in 1956, the most prestigious individual prizes in football will be awarded in London when the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place on Monday.
The award has been co-organised with UEFA since 2024, with Aitana Bonmati and Ousmane Dembele lifting the headline women’s and men’s honours in 2025.
Spain and London City Lionesses schemer Alexia Putellas is being tipped to end Barcelona and Roja magician Bonmati’s three-year run in the Ballon d’Or Feminin this time.
Bayern Munich and England talisman Harry Kane is the favourite in the men’s category after an extraordinarily prolific year, ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot at the World Cup 2026 with France and top-scored in La Liga last season.
What time is the Ballon d’Or 2026?
Here are the key scheduled timings for the ceremony.
| Section | GMT timings | ET | PT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red carpet | 18:00–19:40 | 14:00–15:40 | 11:00–12:40 |
| Official ceremony | 20:00–22:00 | 16:00–18:00 | 13:00–15:00 |
| Winners’ press conference | From 22:30 | From 18:30 | From 15:30 |
When does the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony start?
Here are the scheduled start times for the ceremony. You can also visit the Ballon d’Or worldwide timings list.
| Section | GMT | ET | PT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official ceremony | 20:00–22:00 | 16:00–18:00 | 13:00–15:00 |
Why is the Ballon d’Or 2026 in London?
Paris’ Theatre du Chatelet has hosted the Ballon d’Or since 2019 but the ceremony will move to the London Palladium this year.
The first Ballon d’Or ceremony in London is a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the English inaugural recipient of the golden ball.
L’Equipe editor Gabriel Hanot gave Matthews the award on December 18 1956 in a wood-panelled room at Blackpool Town Hall. Matthews is said to have responded with a “truncated speech” and received a “smattering of applause”.
“He was a pioneer,” the Ballon d’Or’s official account says of Matthews.
“Continually pushing the boundaries in diet and fitness and adopting methodologies that, at the time, were considered quirky at best by scoffing team-mates, but which are now cornerstones of modern-day practices.
“He was years ahead of the curve. Decades. And though it was only a ceremony of sorts, and though this year’s gala is being held 250 miles south of the Lancashire coastline, it can be stated that this autumn football is coming home. Back to where the Ballon d’Or all began.”
Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony: Who’s hosting and performing?
Hugely popular journalist Kate Scott will be on expert hosting duties alongside familiar CBS Sports sidekick Thierry Henry.
France legend Henry was nominated for the Ballon d’Or nine times, finishing second in 2003.
Musicians Jorja Smith and French Montana will perform and organisers are promising “further surprises”.
British singer-songwriter Smith blends R&B, soul, jazz and electronic influences and will open the ceremony by performing her 2016 single, Blue Lights, to mark 10 years since the release of the record.
Morocco-born, Bronx raised Montana is a three-time Grammy-nominated hiphop star whose hits include the Diamond-certified Unforgettable, which featured Swae Lee, the five-time Platinum No Stylist with Drake and the six-time Platinum Lockjaw with Kodak Black.
Where to watch Ballon d’Or 2026: TV channel, live online stream
In most territories, you can watch the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony free on DAZN.
Viewers without an existing DAZN account should create a free membership using their email address.
For other territories, visit UEFA’s Ballon d’Or broadcast list.
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