We’re approaching Ballon d’Or season, folks, which means one thing… avoid Football Twitter at all costs!
That’s right, all those anonymous accounts hiding behind usernames such as Magic_Messi7 and HotshotHaaland9 are going to be having the most tedious ‘debates’ (if you can call it that…) about who’s the best. Give me strength. Let’s leave it to the experts like checks notes football journalists that vote on these sort of things, yeah?
Ousmane Dembele took home the prize at last year’s ceremony after leading PSG to their maiden Champions League title. Can he retain the glitzy gong? Well, it’s looking unlikely as Harry Kane enjoyed a blinding season at club level, Lamine Yamal and Rodri starred for Spain at the World Cup, while Kylian Mbappe shattered records.
Find Ballon d’Or odds on the Paddy Power website and app. Otherwise, everything you need to know about the 2026 award is below.
Ballon d’Or ceremony date
The Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony takes place on Monday, 26th October. The London Palladium Theatre in England is on hosting duties.
Ballon d’Or ceremony start time
The Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony starts at 20:00 for viewers in the UK and Ireland. It’s scheduled to last approximately two hours. That’s about as long as UEFA takes to conduct a Champions League draw…
Ballon d’or nominees
The following 30 players have been nominated for the Men’s Ballon d’Or award:
Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
Pau Cubarsí (Spain, Barcelona)
Marc Cucurella (Spain, Chelsea/Real Madrid)
Ousmane Dembélé (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
Luis Díaz (Colombia, Bayern München)
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal, Manchester United)
Gabriel (Brazil, Arsenal)
Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
Harry Kane (England, Bayern München)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, Paris Saint-Germain)
Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
Sadio Mané (Senegal, Al-Nassr)
Marquinhos (Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain)
Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter)
Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)
Nuno Mendes (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
João Neves (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
Michael Olise (France, Bayern München)
Willian Pacho (Ecuador, Paris Saint-Germain)
Julián Quiñones (Mexico, Al-Qadsiah)
Declan Rice (England, Arsenal)
Rodri (Spain, Manchester City/Barcelona)
Fabián Ruiz (Spain, Paris Saint-Germain)
William Saliba (France, Arsenal)
Ferran Torres (Spain, Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain)
Dayot Upamecano (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
Vitinha (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)
How to watch the Ballon d’Or ceremony
You will be able to live stream the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony on ballondor.com. Alternatively, you can catch coverage on DAZN.
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