London to Host 2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony
The organisers of the Ballon d’Or have confirmed that the 2026 edition of the awards will take place in London, marking a rare shift from its long-standing association with France.
The ceremony has been scheduled for October 26 and will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the prestigious football accolade. This will be the first time the event is staged in London since its inception.
Officials indicated that the choice of venue reflects a historical connection to the award’s origins, as the inaugural winner in 1956 was English football icon Stanley Matthews.
In recent years, the Ballon d’Or has been primarily hosted in Paris, although it has also been held in other cities, including a period in Zurich earlier in the last decade.
Widely regarded as one of the highest individual honours in football, the award has evolved over time, including a previous partnership with FIFA and ongoing collaboration with UEFA in organising the event.
The upcoming ceremony is expected to draw global attention, bringing together leading figures in football to celebrate outstanding performances over the past year while marking a significant milestone in the award’s history.
