By Staff Reporter
Paris: UEFA has announced that the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held in London on October 26, marking the first time the prestigious football awards will be staged outside Paris.
In a statement, UEFA said the ceremony will coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or, which was launched by France Football magazine in 1956. The awards have been jointly organised by UEFA and the French publication since the beginning of their partnership in 2024.
London was selected to host the landmark edition as a tribute to England football icon Stanley Matthews, who became the inaugural Ballon d’Or winner seven decades ago.
UEFA said the decision reflects the growing international profile of the award and forms part of broader efforts to expand its global reach.
The venue for the ceremony has yet to be confirmed.
In the 2025 edition, Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele claimed the men’s Ballon d’Or title, while Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women’s award.
