London Set to Host 2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony
The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London in 2026, marking the first time the prestigious football award is hosted in the English capital. Organisers announced on May 28 that the event is scheduled for October 26, although the exact venue has yet to be revealed.
This upcoming ceremony coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or, which was first awarded to England legend Stanley Matthews in 1956.
Regarded as the highest individual honour in football, the Ballon d’Or has, in recent years, been defined by the extraordinary rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The most recent winner, Paris Saint‑Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé, claimed the trophy in 2025 at a ceremony held in Paris, organised by Groupe L’Equipe, the publishers of France Football magazine.
Lionel Messi remains the record‑holder with eight Ballon d’Or victories (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023), including a remarkable streak of four consecutive wins from 2009 to 2012.
Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five triumphs (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017), built on his explosive athleticism, clinical finishing and sustained excellence in Europe’s elite competitions.
Their decade‑long duel pushed both players to unprecedented heights and reshaped the record books of modern football.
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