Ballon d'Or 2026: date, venue, nominees and the favourites to win
The 2026 Ballon d'Or is on 26 October in London. Everything you need to know: the 30 nominees, the favourites, plus the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy and Coach of the Year.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or will be presented on Monday 26 October 2026 in London. It is the first time since 2019 that the ceremony has moved away from the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and the event will honour Stanley Matthews, the award's first winner.
Who won the Ballon d'Or last year?
Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain is the reigning winner. He is on the shortlist again, but has publicly backed his PSG teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the club's best hope this time.
The favourites for the 2026 Ballon d'Or
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): already a two-time Kopa Trophy winner and one of the leading contenders for the main prize.
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): finished as top scorer at the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals.
- Rodri (Spain): back in contention after winning the Golden Ball as Spain won the World Cup.
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich): tipped for a high finish after scoring 73 goals for club and country last season.
- Vitinha (PSG): finished third last year.
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) is also on the list. It is his 17th nomination, one short of Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 18, and he is chasing a ninth Ballon d'Or.
PSG have more nominees than any other club, with 10 players on the 30-man shortlist.
The other awards
Kopa Trophy (best young player): Lamine Yamal is going for a third consecutive win. Pau Cubarsí — the best young player at the World Cup — Yan Diomande, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Junior Kroupi and Warren Zaïre-Emery are among the other nominees.
Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper): David Raya, Thibaut Courtois and Joan García are the early favourites. The 2025 winner, Gianluigi Donnarumma, was not nominated.
Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente, Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery and Luis Enrique.
Club of the Year: PSG, the holders, face Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Flamengo and Bodø/Glimt.
Our view
A World Cup year usually shapes the vote, which works in favour of Spain's players — Rodri above all. But Yamal's consistency for Barcelona and Kane's scoring record make this one of the most open races in years.
FAQ
When is the Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony? Monday 26 October 2026.
Where is the 2026 Ballon d'Or being held? In London — the first ceremony outside the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris since 2019.
Who is the current Ballon d'Or holder? Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain).
Who has won the most Ballon d'Or awards? Lionel Messi, with eight.
More from the World Cup year: read our 2026 World Cup final recap.
