September 9: DAZN will broadcast this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony live and free, bringing football’s biggest single awards night to a global audience.
With nominations now open, the date is set for Monday 26 October when the best players and women’s players gather in London to find out who lifts the most coveted individual award in sport. The award, administered by France Football since 1956, judges players on individual performances, results and conduct off the pitch.
Last year’s winners were PSG and France men’s Ousmane Dembélé, and Barcelona’s and Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí, who won a record third consecutive women’s Ballon d’Or.
Beyond broadcast, DAZN takes on a Global Gold Sponsoring Partner role in the broadcast and OTT service categories and will release cumulative content prior to the night.
DAZN Group Chief Executive Shay Segev framed it as a natural fit. “The Ballon d’Or is one of football’s most iconic events and a celebration of the players who inspire fans around the world,” he said. “We are delighted to bring the Ballon d’Or back to DAZN and make it available to fans for free in 200 markets around the world.”
There is one catch worth noting, beware. It is not free and exclusive everywhere. The rights are not exclusive to Turkey and Andorra, and a long list of territories are excluded entirely, including France, Spain, Norway, Hungary, Romania and several others.
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