London go host the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony for the first time, and the event go hold on Monday 26 October for the London Palladium Theatre. The ceremony go start by 20:00 GMT, wey be 21:00 CET. This year edition carry special weight because the award, wey dem sabi as the most distinguished individual prize for football, dey mark 70 years.
The Ballon d’Or na the most prestigious and distinguished individual award for world football, and France Football create am in 1956. Organisers talk say the decision to bring the ceremony to London pay tribute to the award inaugural winner, Stanley Matthews of England.
Football legend Thierry Henry and popular sports presenter Kate Scott go host the 2026 ceremony. Dem describe Henry as one of the most iconic players of him generation, and dem talk say him go bring him insight, experience and passion for the game to the event. Kate Scott no be stranger to football fans around the world, and she dey return as host after she previously present the ceremony in 2014, 2015 and 2025.
Plenty categories dey ground for the night. Dem go present the Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or, the Men’s and Women’s Young Talent of the Year, the Men’s and Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, and the Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year. Others na the Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year, the Men’s and Women’s Striker of the Year, and the Sócrates Award, wey L’Équipe and Peace dey present.
