Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Lamine Yamal Lead the 70th Ballon d'Or Ceremony in London
The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony in London highlighted stars like Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane, honoring football's best in a historic event held in England for the first time.
Key details
- The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony was held at the London Palladium, marking the first time in England.
- Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Lamine Yamal were leading contenders for the men's award.
- Alexia Putellas was the favorite to win her third Ballon d'Or in the women's category, with Aitana Bonmati absent due to injury.
- The event included various other awards such as best club, top scorer, and best coach.
The 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or ceremony took place on October 26, 2026, at the prestigious London Palladium Theatre, marking the first time the event was held in England. This historic occasion celebrated the award's rich heritage, honoring its inaugural winner Stanley Matthews and spotlighting top football talents from around the world.
Among the highlight nominees were French star Kylian Mbappé, English forward Harry Kane, and Spanish rising talent Lamine Yamal. Kane impressed with his vital contributions to England’s third-place finish in the World Cup and Bayern Munich’s league and cup double, positioning him as a strong contender to become England’s first Ballon d’Or winner in 25 years. Mbappé, chasing new records with his prolific scoring, along with young prodigy Yamal, also received strong attention amid stiff competition.
The women’s category saw Alexia Putellas favored to secure her third Ballon d’Or trophy. The dominant Aitana Bonmati, a three-time consecutive winner, was absent from the nominations due to a leg injury, shaking up expectations in the women’s field.
This year’s ceremony featured various other prestigious recognitions, including awards for best club, social impact (the Socrates award), top scorer (the Gerd Müller award), best coach (the Johan Cruyff award), and the Kopa trophy for the best young player. The show was hosted by Kate Scott and former footballer Thierry Henry, blending star power from the sport with passionate commentary.
The event celebrated football excellence across clubs such as PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, with nominees reflecting the global landscape of the beautiful game. Spain’s victory in the 2026 World Cup and individual achievements, like Rodri being named tournament best player, added depth to the celebratory context.
As the ceremony concluded, anticipation remained high over final results, with the evening showcasing football’s finest talents, historic milestones, and emerging stars on the world stage.
Source articles (2)
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france24.com Oct 26, 2026
Ballon d'Or 2026 : découvrez le palmarès de la 70e édition de la cérémonie
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dazn.com Oct 26, 2026
Ballon d'Or : direct vidéo, streaming, chaîne TV... à quelle heure et comment regarder gratuitement la 70e cérémonie
Source comparison
Date of the ceremony
Sources report different years for the Ballon d'Or ceremony
france24.com
"The 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or is currently being held at the London Palladium Theatre in London."
dazn.com
"The prestigious Ballon d'Or ceremony will be held on October 26, 2023, in London at the London Palladium."
Why this matters: One source states the ceremony is on October 26, 2023, while the other implies it is currently happening on October 26, 2026. This discrepancy affects the understanding of when the event is taking place.