The 2026 Ballon d’Or gala brought the global football calendar to the London Palladium on October 26, 2026, where leading players, managers, and officials gathered for a prize-giving ceremony. As reported by El País, the red carpet played host to nominees across multiple categories, arriving in the British capital for the awards evening.
Arrivals at the London Palladium
The evening began with high-profile arrivals outside the central London venue. Chelsea players including Veerle Buurman, Manaka Matsukubo, Hannah Hampton, and Melvine Malard stepped onto the red carpet together, representing the club’s representation across the women’s award categories. They were joined by teammate Lucy Bronze, who paused to pose for gathered media and photographers before entering the theater.
Unai Simón arrived at the London Palladium as a nominee for goalkeeper of the season. Scarlett Camberos drew attention on the carpet holding her jersey while posing for cameras as a nominee for the women’s Ballon d’Or. In the young talent categories, men’s candidates Ibrahim Maza and AFC Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi also made their entrance ahead of the ceremony.
Managers and Federation Officials on the Red Carpet
The delegation from Spanish football drew attention from international media outside the venue. Men’s national team head coach Luis de la Fuente arrived alongside Aitor Karanka, technical director of development for the Royal Spanish Football Federation, and Rafael Louzán, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
They were accompanied on the red carpet by manager Rafa Benítez. Former international players also made their way into the auditorium, including Peter Schmeichel alongside his wife Laura Schmeichel, and Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, who arrived to take his seat inside the London venue.
Inside the theater, the evening’s formal presentations commenced with recognition for club achievements. Paris Saint-Germain collected the men’s club of the year award, prompting Ousmane Dembélé to take the microphone and deliver a speech on stage accepting the honor on behalf of the club.
The gala continued through its scheduled sequence of awards celebrating individual excellence across the men’s and women’s professional game.
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