The Ballon d'Or Gala will take place on October 26 in London, marking 70 years since the establishment of the trophy. The nominations for 2026 will be announced later.

The Ballon d'Or Gala, scheduled for October 26, will celebrate 70 years since the establishment of the trophy by France Football magazine in 1956. The ceremony will take place in London, a symbolic choice, considering that the first winner of the award was English footballer Stanley Matthews. From 2024, the gala will be organized together with UEFA, thus strengthening the status of the Ballon d'Or as a global brand in sports.

In the context of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, attention is turning to potential winners, with favorites including Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Kylian Mbappé, and others. Lionel Messi, with eight trophies, and Cristiano Ronaldo, with five, dominate the history of the award. The 2026 edition will take place a few months after the North American World Cup, thus influencing the competition for the prestigious individual award.