The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place today, Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium in London. According to the stated schedule, the ceremony is set to begin at 11:00 PM Saudi Arabia time and 10:00 PM Egypt time. The event can be watched live on DAZN, according to the available information, as fans await the announcement of the winners of football’s most prestigious individual awards.
2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony Date and Time
According to the available information, the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium in the English capital, London. Based on the assumed start time of 8:00 PM London time, the schedule across Arab countries is as follows:
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11:00 PM: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon.
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10:00 PM: Egypt, Libya, and Sudan.
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12:00 AM (midnight): The United Arab Emirates and Oman, on Tuesday, October 27.
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9:00 PM: Tunisia and Algeria.
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8:00 PM: Morocco and Mauritania.
How to Watch the 2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony Live
2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, scheduled to take place today, Monday, October 26, in London, as anticipation builds ahead of the announcement of the winners across the various individual award categories.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony can be watched live on DAZN, which has officially announced that it will broadcast the event live and free of charge in 200 markets worldwide, according to its official statement.
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List of 2026 Ballon d’Or Nominees
The men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist has attracted considerable attention, featuring several of the biggest names in world football competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious individual honors.
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé, Vinícius Júnior, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, and Harry Kane, alongside several other prominent footballers.
Attention is focused on the announcement of the final winner during the ceremony, with fans eager to discover which player will add his name to the list of Ballon d’Or winners.
The names mentioned among the nominees include:
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Jude Bellingham.
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Pau Cubarsí.
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Ousmane Dembélé.
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Luis Díaz.
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Bruno Fernandes.
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Erling Haaland.
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Achraf Hakimi.
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Harry Kane.
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Lamine Yamal.
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Lautaro Martínez.
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Kylian Mbappé.
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Lionel Messi.
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Michael Olise.
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Declan Rice.
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Rodri.
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Vinícius Júnior.
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Vitinha.
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
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Nuno Mendes.
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Willian Pacho.
The official shortlist published by the organizers should be consulted to verify the final nominees, as the appearance of a player's name on a circulating list does not, by itself, confirm an official nomination for the 2026 edition.
Why Is the 2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony Being Held Outside France?
The decision to hold the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London is linked to the celebration of the award’s 70th anniversary and the legacy of English footballer Stanley Matthews, who made history as the first player to win the Ballon d’Or.
France Football magazine introduced the award in 1956, with Matthews, who was playing for English club Blackpool at the time, receiving the inaugural trophy. Over the years, the Ballon d’Or has evolved into one of the most prestigious individual awards in world football.
Choosing London to host the 70th edition carries historical significance, bringing renewed attention to the award’s origins and giving the occasion a distinctive character compared with previous ceremonies associated with the French capital, Paris.
Moving the ceremony to London does not necessarily indicate a permanent change of venue. Rather, the decision is linked to the historical significance of the occasion and the celebration of seven decades since the award was established.
Which Awards Will Be Presented at the 2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony?
The Ballon d’Or ceremony is not limited to the award for the best male player in the world. It also includes several honors recognizing excellence in men’s and women’s football, as well as awards for young talents, goalkeepers, coaches, and clubs.
Some of the main award categories associated with the ceremony include:
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Men’s Ballon d’Or: Awarded to the best male player according to the award’s criteria.
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Women’s Ballon d’Or: Recognizes the best female footballer.
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Kopa Trophy: Honors the best young talents.
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Yashin Trophy: Awarded to the best goalkeeper.
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Gerd Müller Trophy: Recognizes outstanding goalscoring achievements.
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Socrates Award: Highlights humanitarian and social initiatives.
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Coach and Club Awards: Include categories recognizing achievements in men’s and women’s football, depending on the categories approved for that edition.
These awards reflect the wide range of achievements celebrated at the event. Recognition extends beyond goals and trophies to include individual performances, sporting influence, and humanitarian contributions.
Why Is the 70th Ballon d’Or Edition Attracting Exceptional Attention?
The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or holds additional significance for two main reasons: the award’s historical importance after seven decades, and the decision to stage the ceremony in London rather than Paris.
This choice offers an opportunity to revisit the legacy of Stanley Matthews, the first player to receive the award, and highlight a history that began in 1956 before the Ballon d’Or became a major benchmark for individual excellence in football.
Fans are also waiting to discover the winners across the various categories, amid competition among stars playing in the biggest European and international leagues. The awards recognizing women’s football and emerging talents are also expected to attract considerable interest.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony
1. When is the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony?
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium in London, England.
2. Where will the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony take place?
London will host the 70th edition of the award in an exceptional departure from Paris, which has been associated with the ceremony in recent years.
3. What time does the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony start in Saudi Arabia and Egypt?
Based on the assumed start time of 8:00 PM London time, the ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM in Saudi Arabia and 10:00 PM in Egypt.
Conclusion
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony represents a special occasion in the award’s history, not only because it celebrates the 70th edition but also because London has been selected to host the event, symbolically honoring Stanley Matthews, the first winner of the award in 1956.
As the announcement of the winners approaches, fans will turn their attention to the London Palladium to discover which names will take center stage in the football world and secure their places in the history of one of the sport’s most famous individual awards.
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