The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or has officially set its calendar, with France Football announcing that the nominees will be revealed on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, according to regional reporting. The prestigious ceremony to crown the world’s best football players will take place on Monday, October 26, 2026, marking a historic shift as the event heads to London, England, for the first time.
The 2026 Nomination Schedule and Categories
On September 8, 2026, organizers will publish the official lists containing 30 candidates for the men’s Ballon d’Or and 30 for the women’s prize, as reported by outlets covering the announcement. Alongside the premier individual awards, the unveiling will include shortlisted players and candidates for several companion accolades that highlight excellence across different positions and age groups.
The companion categories featured in the ceremony include the Kopa Trophy for the best young player, the Yashin Trophy awarded to the top goalkeeper, and the Gerd Müller Trophy recognizing the most prolific goalscorer. Additionally, organizational honors for the best clubs and coaches will be revealed on the same date, setting the stage for the autumn gala.
London Host Venue Marks 70th Anniversary
For its milestone 70th anniversary, the Ballon d’Or ceremony moves to London, with reporting indicating the event is scheduled to take place at The London Palladium. Created by France Football in 1956, the award chose the British capital to honor Stanley Matthews, who won the inaugural edition of the trophy.
This geographic shift brings the global football elite to one of the UK’s most celebrated historic venues. The gala will decide the successors to the reigning holders, with French star Ousmane Dembélé arriving as the current men’s holder and Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí holding the women’s crown after their victories in 2025.
The Impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
This upcoming voting cycle carries unique competitive weight because the evaluation period directly incorporates the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to the competition framework released by the organizers, voters will assess player performances spanning from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026.
Historically, tournaments held on the global stage sway voters significantly. National team success during the summer championship often serves as a decisive factor alongside domestic and continental achievements with club sides, altering early projections for contenders across Europe and beyond.
Voting Criteria and Jury Composition
Once the nomination lists are made public in September, a specialized international media jury begins the formal voting process. The panel consists of journalists representing the top 100 nations in the men’s FIFA world ranking and the top 50 in the women’s ranking.
Voters evaluate candidates based on three core pillars:
- Individual performance and decisive actuaciones
- Collective achievements and trophies secured
- Behavior and fair play on and off the pitch
Each juror selects and ranks 10 players, allocating 15 points to their top choice with a descending scale down to a single point for the tenth-place selection.
What Happens Next
The immediate focus turns to September 8, 2026, when France Football publishes the official shortlists. That release triggers the final weeks of campaigning and media analysis ahead of the October 26 gala in London.
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