Created by France Football in 1956, football’s most prestigious individual awards will be presented in London when the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony takes place on Monday.
The award has been co-hosted with UEFA since 2024, with Aitana Bonmati and Ousmane Dembele lifting the men’s and women’s honors in 2025.
Inspiring Spain and London City Lionesses Alexia Putellas is leaning towards ending Barcelona and Roja Bonmati’s three-year run at the Women’s Ballon d’Or this time.
Bayern Munich and England talisman Harry Kane is the favorite in the men’s category after an extraordinarily prolific year, ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot at the 2026 World Cup with France and was La Liga’s top scorer last season.
What time is Ballon d’Or 2026?
Here are the main times scheduled for the ceremony.
| section | GMT times | E.T | P.T |
|---|---|---|---|
| red carpet | 18:00–19:40 | 14:00–15:40 | 11:00–12:40 |
| official ceremony | 20:00–22:00 | 16:00–18:00 | 13:00–15:00 |
| Press conference of the winners | From 10:30 p.m | From 18:30h | From 3:30 p.m |
When does the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony start?
Here are the scheduled start times for the ceremony. You can also visit the Ballon d’Or time list worldwide.
| section | GMT | E.T | P.T |
|---|---|---|---|
| official ceremony | 20:00–22:00 | 16:00–18:00 | 13:00–15:00 |
Why is the Ballon d’Or 2026 in London?
The Theater du Chatelet in Paris has hosted the Ballon d’Or since 2019, but this year the ceremony will move to the London Palladium.
The first Ballon d’Or ceremony in London is a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, England’s inaugural Ballon d’Or recipient.
L’Equipe editor Gabriel Hanot presented Matthews with the award on 18 December 1956 in a wood-panelled room at Blackpool Town Hall. Matthews is said to have responded with a “truncated speech” and was met with “applause”.
“He was a pioneer,” says the official Ballon d’Or account of Matthews.
“Continuously pushing the boundaries of diet and fitness and adopting methodologies that at the time were considered outlandish at best to tease teammates with, but are now cornerstones of today’s practices.
“It was years ahead of the curve. Decades. And even though it was only a ceremony of sorts, and even though this year’s gala is being held 250 miles south of the Lancashire coast, it’s safe to say that this autumn football is coming home. Back to where the Ballon d’Or began.”
Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony: who hosts and performs?
Popular reporter Kate Scott will provide expert hosting alongside well-known CBS Sports colleague Thierry Henry.
French legend Henry was nominated for the Ballon d’Or nine times, finishing second in 2003.
Musicians Jorja Smith and French Montana will perform and organizers promise “more surprises”.
British singer-songwriter Smith mixes influences from R&B, soul, jazz and electronica and will open the ceremony with a performance of her 2016 single Blue Lights to mark the 10-year anniversary of the album’s release.
Born in Morocco and raised in the Bronx, Montana is a three-time Grammy-nominated hip-hop star whose hits include the diamond-certified Unforgettable featuring Swae Lee, the five-time Platinum No Stylist featuring Drake, and the six-time Platinum Lockjaw featuring Kodak Black.
Where to watch Ballon d’Or 2026: TV channel, live online
In most territories, you can watch the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony for free on DAZN.
Viewers without an existing DAZN account should do so create a free subscription using your email address.
For other territories, visit List of UEFA Ballon d’Or broadcasts.