London hosts the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday, October 26, 2026, marking the first time the prestigious football awards leave France. Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, and Harry Kane lead a crowded field of nominees as international journalists cast votes on a historic night at the London Palladium.
London Palladium Prepares for the 70th Anniversary Gala
Football’s most coveted individual prize crosses the English Channel for the first time in its 70-year history. The London Palladium, a landmark of British arts opened in 1910, hosts the ceremony on Monday, October 26, 2026. The relocation honors Englishman Stanley Matthews, who claimed the inaugural award in 1956.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: The 2026 Ballon d’Or will celebrate its 70th anniversary by holding this year’s ceremony in London for the very first time.The choice of venue pays tribute to English footballer Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the very first Ballon d’Or award 70 years ago.… pic.twitter.com/3YH5qeFk3w
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and British journalist Kate Scott host the evening. International broadcasters including beIN Sports and the DAZN digital platform carry live coverage of the ceremony.
Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, and Kylian Mbappe Vie for the 2026 Trophy
The evaluation period spans from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, capturing domestic campaigns, continental competitions, and the 2026 World Cup. A specialized international jury of journalists representing the top 100 men’s national teams in the FIFA rankings cast ballots.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane enters the final stretch as a leading contender after scoring 73 goals across club and international play during the evaluation window. Domestically, Kane secured the Bundesliga title and domestic cup honors. Bayern Munich Chief Executive Officer Jan-Christian Dreesen noted the historic scale of the forward’s output.
Jan-Christian Dreesen told Kooora that Harry breaks records year after year, but his 73 goals with Bayern Munich and the England national team carry special significance this time.
Despite his prolific scoring and leading England to a third-place finish at the World Cup, Kane acknowledged the weight of the ongoing speculation surrounding the award following a Champions League match against Arsenal.
Harry Kane told Attasiaa, I try not to think about it, but it's difficult.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Ceremony to hold in LondonThe 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on Monday, October 26, 2026.This marks the return of football’s most prestigious individual award to the English capital.—-Continue reading in the comment section pic.twitter.com/GlfyiIGCnd
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal enters the conversation after securing La Liga and starring for Spain during their World Cup campaign. Yamal voiced strong confidence in his candidacy while speaking to the press.
I honestly believe I deserve the award this year, given what I've achieved in terms of titles, La Liga and the World Cup. And in my opinion, Mbappe and I are the best players in the world, and that is completely clear, and everyone who watches the matches knows that. Lamine
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe anchors the third pillar of the front-running group. Mbappe finished the Champions League campaign as top scorer with 15 goals.
Shifting Odds and Voting Dynamics Across European Bookmakers
In the days immediately preceding the ceremony, bookmakers adjusted their odds, reflecting late momentum shifts. Major betting agencies widened the odds for Yamal from 3.25 to 6.00, while Kane held strong as a clear favorite with averages around 1.35. A notable bellwether arrived through the 100 MARCA voting panel, where 226 international journalists, former players, and coaches placed Kane at the summit with 3,962 points, narrowly edging Yamal’s 3,937 points. Mbappe rounded out that podium with 3,440 points.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele arrives in London as the reigning holder of the 2025 trophy, following his club’s Champions League triumph. Alongside the main men’s and women’s prizes, the gala introduces a new accolade titled the Ballon d’Or for the Best in History, decided by an open public electronic vote among past multi-time winners.
🚨🌕 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 | The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place in LONDON! 🏴✅ This is due to it being the 70th anniversary of the first ever Ballon d'Or winner, Stanley Matthews. ✨ The date for the ceremony is 26th October. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/3zkQyux7jn