The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is in London tonight as the world’s most prestigious individual football award is handed out.
Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele is the current holder of the men’s Ballon d’Or award, taking over from Rodri last year. Barcelona and Spain superstar Aitana Bonmati, meanwhile, has won the last three editions of the Ballon d'Or Feminin.
Here is all you need to know about the Ballon d’Or 2026...
When is the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony?
The 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony takes place tonight Monday, October 26.
Players are expected to arrive from around 6pm BST, with the ceremony itself getting under way at approximately 8pm. Those exact timings are subject to change.
Where is the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony?
This year’s event is being held in London for the very first time, at the London Palladium in Soho.
Top prize: The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual award in all of football
AFP via Getty Images
Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees and shortlist
Jude Bellingham
Pau Cubarsi
Ousmane Dembele
Marc Cucurella
Luis Diaz
Bruno Fernandes
Gabriel Magalhaes
Erling Haaland
Achraf Hakimi
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Lamine Yamal
Sadio Mane
Marquinhos
Lautaro Martinez
Kylian Mbappe
Nuno Mendes
Lionel Messi
Joao Neves
Michael Olise
Willian Pacho
Julian Quinones
Declan Rice
Rodri
Fabian Ruiz
William Saliba
Ferran Torres
Dayot Upamecano
Vinicius Jr
Vitinha
Who is the favourite for the Ballon d’Or 2026 award?
Kane is the current bookmakers’ favourite to claim his first Ballon d’Or award in 2026, following a phenomenal season with Bayern Munich in which his remarkable 61 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions powered Vincent Kompany’s side to a memorable domestic treble and also earned him a second European Golden Shoe.
Ballon d’Or 2026 odds
Who is hosting the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony?
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by journalist and presenter Kate Scott and Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, who finished as runner-up to Juventus legend Pavel Nedved for the Ballon d’Or award in 2003.
Who won the Ballon d’Or last year?
The trophy is currently held by Dembele, with the PSG forward having beaten Barcelona’s Yamal - who was runner-up and also won Young Player of the Year in 2025.
Holder: PSG and France forward Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d’Or award last year
AFP/Getty
Who has won the most Ballon d’Or awards?
Messi comfortably leads the all-time list of Ballon d’Or wins with eight - three more than great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has five.
Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer all won three each during their illustrious careers.