The world’s leading football stars will gather in London on Monday for the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony. The awards will be presented at the London Palladium, marking the first time the event has been held in the British capital.

The ceremony begins at 20:00 GMT. It will celebrate individual and team achievements across men’s and women’s football, as well as contributions to the game beyond the pitch.

Among the names attracting attention are Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal. The men’s award will be contested by 30 nominees, while 30 players have been shortlisted for the women’s prize.

Why London Was Chosen

The ceremony marks 70 years since the Ballon d’Or was established by France Football in 1956. London was selected partly to honour Stanley Matthews, the English winger who received the first award.

The event will be hosted by former France striker Thierry Henry and sports presenter Kate Scott. Scott has previously presented the ceremony in 2014, 2015 and 2025.

The awards have been jointly organised by UEFA and the L’Équipe Group since 2024. The L’Équipe Group retains ownership of the Ballon d’Or brand and oversees the voting process, while UEFA contributes its football expertise and manages commercial promotion and the gala.

Messi and Dembélé Lead the Men’s Race

The men’s shortlist brings together established stars and younger contenders. Messi, an eight-time winner, is seeking to add to his record. Defending champion Dembélé is also nominated, alongside Rodri, who won in 2024.

Other nominees include Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Bruno Fernandes, Michael Olise, Declan Rice and Vinícius Júnior.

Yamal, who has already made his mark at Barcelona, is also among the contenders. His nomination reflects the growing presence of younger players in the award’s top tier.

The shortlist also features African representation, including Senegal’s Sadio Mané and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.

Women’s Award Has a Strong Field

The women’s race features 30 nominees from clubs and national teams across the world. Alexia Putellas is the only former winner on the shortlist, having claimed the award in 2021 and 2022.

England’s Alessia Russo and Alex Greenwood are among the nominees, alongside Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen, Ewa Pajor and Patri Guijarro. Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga also feature.

The list reflects the growing reach of the women’s game, with players from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas represented.

Awards Beyond the Main Prize

Several other honours will be presented on Monday. They include the men’s and women’s Young Talent, Goalkeeper, Coach, Club and Striker of the Year awards.

The Sócrates Award will also recognise a football figure who has supported humanitarian work or a social cause. The prize is presented by L’Équipe and Peace and Sport.

The 2025 winners included Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí in the women’s category and Dembélé in the men’s. Lamine Yamal won the men’s Kopa Trophy for young talent, while Vicky López received the women’s award.

How the Winners Are Decided

The awards are decided by specialist journalists from countries selected according to FIFA rankings. The men’s prize involves representatives from the top 100 nations, while the women’s award uses a jury from the top 50.

Each juror ranks 10 players from the relevant 30-person shortlist. Points are awarded from 15 for first place down to one for tenth place.

Three factors guide the decision: individual performance, team achievements and sporting conduct. Individual displays carry the greatest weight under the published rules.

The voting period covers the 2025–26 season, including major international competitions. The process is overseen by France Football, while UEFA helps organise the ceremony.

How to Watch

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 20:00 GMT on Monday, October 26. International broadcast partners will carry the event, with viewers advised to check local listings for coverage.

For football fans, the evening will bring another chapter in the sport’s most closely watched individual awards. With former winners and rising stars among the nominees, the main question is who will leave London with the trophies.