The suspense is entering its final stretch. The list of nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2026 will be officially revealed on Tuesday, September 8, ahead of a ceremony scheduled for Monday, October 26 in London. For the first time in its history, the prestigious trophy created by France Football will leave Paris to hold its grand evening in the British capital.
Less than two months from the verdict, the race remains particularly open among several global football stars. Michel Platini recently placed a “small bet” on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, while highlighting Kylian Mbappé’s exceptional individual season.
The 30 Ballon d’Or Nominees to be Revealed on September 8
The date is set. On Tuesday, September 8, the various candidate lists for the Ballon d’Or 2026 awards will be unveiled. The main category will include 30 male players and 30 female players.
Other trophies will also have their nominee lists: 10 players for the best male young player award, 5 for females, 10 goalkeepers for the male trophy and 5 female goalkeepers. Five coaches will be selected in both the male and female categories, as well as five clubs for men and five for women.
Awards for the best forwards and the Sócrates Prize will also be presented during the ceremony.
A Particularly Open Race for the Ballon d’Or
The announcement of the 30 names will officially launch the final phase of the race for the trophy. Several players can aspire to succeed Ousmane Dembélé, crowned Ballon d’Or 2025 after his exceptional season with PSG.
Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, and Harry Kane are among the players regularly mentioned in the race. Harry Kane notably led bookmakers’ predictions after the World Cup.
Lionel Messi can theoretically also appear in the selection despite his departure from European football. The rules indeed allow a player competing outside Europe to win the Ballon d’Or.
Voting Will Begin After the Nominees Are Announced
Once the lists are revealed, the journalists responsible for the election will proceed to vote. For the men’s Ballon d’Or, the jury includes a representative from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA ranking. For the women’s trophy, the electoral college is limited to the top 50 nations.
Each journalist must rank 10 players among the 30 nominees. The first receives 15 points, then the following 12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point.
Three main criteria are considered: individual performances and the player’s decisive character, collective performances and trophies won, as well as class and fair play.
The Ballon d’Or Leaves Paris for London
Another significant change this year: the ceremony will not take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. For its 70th anniversary, the Ballon d’Or moves to London on Monday, October 26, 2026.
This choice is a tribute to Stanley Matthews, winner of the very first Ballon d’Or in 1956. The Englishman had beaten Alfredo Di Stéfano and Raymond Kopa in that first edition.
Since 2019, the Théâtre du Châtelet had become the emblematic venue of the ceremony. The move to London thus represents a real break with recent editions.
Who Will Succeed Ousmane Dembélé?
In 2025, Ousmane Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or after leading PSG to a historic season. Aitana Bonmatí won the women’s trophy, while Lamine Yamal was honored among the young players.
The schedule is now perfectly set: the 30 nominees will be announced on Tuesday, September 8, and the Ballon d’Or 2026 will be awarded on Monday, October 26 in London. Between these two dates, journalists’ votes will determine the name of the 70th Ballon d’Or in history.
