2026 Ballon d’Or Ceremony Set for London as Messi, Yamal, Mbappé and Arsenal Stars Make Nominees List
The 2026 Ballon d’Or awards will take place on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England.
It will be the first time the prestigious football awards ceremony will be held in London.
The 2026 edition is also special as the Ballon d’Or, created by France Football in 1956, celebrates its 70th anniversary.
Since 2024, the awards have been jointly organised by France Football, owned by the L’Équipe Group, and UEFA.
The decision to hold the ceremony in London is also a tribute to Stanley Matthews, the first-ever Ballon d’Or winner in 1956.
Messi, Yamal, Mbappé Lead Men’s Nominees
A total of 30 players have been nominated for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or.
The list includes eight-time winner Lionel Messi, Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane.
Arsenal have three players on the list, with Gabriel, Declan Rice and William Saliba all nominated.
Other notable names include Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Luis Díaz, Bruno Fernandes, Sadio Mané, Lautaro Martínez and Vitinha.
Arsenal Well Represented
Arsenal also have strong representation in other categories.
Manager Mikel Arteta is nominated for the Men’s Coach of the Year award, while David Raya is among the nominees for Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo are both nominated for the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Arsenal are also among the five nominees for Men’s Club of the Year, alongside Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain.
Women’s Ballon d’Or
The Women’s Ballon d’Or list features 30 players, including Barcelona stars Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen and Ewa Pajor.
England’s Alessia Russo, Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema, and Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir are also among the nominees.
The awards will also recognise the best young players, goalkeepers, coaches and clubs in both men’s and women’s football.
The Sócrates Award will be presented for outstanding solidarity projects and social causes supported by footballers.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is expected to bring together some of the biggest names in world football as the sport celebrates 70 years of the prestigious award.
