The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on Monday, 26 October, with football’s biggest stars set to gather in the English capital for the sport’s most prestigious individual awards night.
Organisers confirmed the date and venue on Thursday, announcing that the event will move away from its traditional home at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The decision marks a significant change for the ceremony, which has become one of the most closely followed occasions in the global football calendar.
The move to London is intended to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the award. According to organisers, the decision also reflects an effort to honour the competition’s history and international significance as it reaches another milestone year.
The 2026 edition will therefore carry additional symbolic importance, with the Ballon d’Or returning to the city connected to its first-ever winner, English football legend Stanley Matthews.
Matthews, who was crowned the inaugural winner of the award 70 years ago, remains a key figure in the history of the honour, and the London ceremony is expected to acknowledge his legacy as part of the celebrations.
In a statement released to the media, organisers highlighted the reasoning behind hosting the ceremony in the British capital as part of the anniversary commemoration.
“A tribute to English footballer Stanley Matthews, the first Ballon d’Or winner 70 years ago. By hosting its 70th edition in the British capital, the Ballon d’Or continues to grow and further cements its status as a prestigious international brand,” the statement reads.
The relocation of the ceremony to London is seen as a major moment for the award, which has expanded in global reach and influence over the decades since its inception.
Ballon d’Or continues to be regarded as the highest individual honour in football, with past winners including some of the most iconic names in the sport.
The decision to stage the 70th edition outside France highlights the growing international identity of the award and its continued evolution into a global sporting event rather than a solely European-based ceremony.
London’s selection as host city is also expected to draw significant attention from across the football world, with players, coaches and officials anticipated to attend the event later in October.
The ceremony will once again recognise the standout performers from the 2025-26 football season, with awards across multiple categories culminating in the presentation of the Ballon d’Or trophy.
As anticipation builds ahead of the announcement of nominees and eventual winners, the confirmation of the venue adds further intrigue to what is already one of the most eagerly awaited nights in the football calendar.
With its return to the city linked to its origins, the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to combine historical reflection with modern football celebration, marking a landmark edition in the award’s long-standing history.
