The Ballon d'Or undergoes unprecedented changes after 70 years

In 2026, the Ballon d'Or will experience a historic shift, with the award ceremony taking place in London for the first time, celebrating seven decades since the inception of this iconic individual honor.

According to the organizing committee, the 2026 Ballon d'Or award ceremony will be held on October 26. This marks the first time the event moves away from Paris, long regarded as the traditional home of the Ballon d'Or.

The selection of London is seen as a symbolic gesture to honor the legendary Stanley Matthews, who became the first-ever Ballon d'Or winner in 1956.

Stanley Matthews is considered one of England's all-time greats, having spent the bulk of his career at Stoke City and Blackpool. He featured in more than 800 games, netted 80 goals, and lifted the FA Cup with Blackpool in 1953.

In the past, the Ballon d'Or took place in Zurich between 2010 and 2015 following the merger with FIFA. Later, the ceremony moved back to Paris, with the 2017 edition being held right beneath the Eiffel Tower.

The organizing committee also stated that the relocation to London is temporary. Nevertheless, they have not ruled out the possibility of the Ballon d'Or being hosted in various countries beyond France in the future.

The reigning men's Ballon d'Or holder is Ousmane Dembélé, following his successful campaign with Paris Saint-Germain. As for the women's prize, it belongs to superstar Aitana Bonmatí from FC Barcelona Femení.

In the 2026 Ballon d'Or race, England skipper Harry Kane has emerged as the top contender, having netted 61 goals in 51 games this season.

Apart from Kane, other notable figures are also seen as strong contenders for the award, including Lamine Yamal, Declan Rice, Michael Olise, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Analysts predict that the 2026 Ballon d'Or race will be significantly impacted by results in the Champions League and the upcoming World Cup this summer.