London Palladium to host 2026 Balón d'Oro ceremony after votes close
Voting for the 2026 Balón d'Oro has closed, with a panel of 100 journalists having cast their votes. The winner will be revealed on 26 October at 21:00 during a gala at the London Palladium, marking the first ceremony held outside Paris.
Ceremony details confirmed
The gala will be staged in the historic Teatro London Palladium in Londres, a departure from the traditional Paris venue. France Football, the organiser of the award since its inception in 1956, released an AI‑generated audio clip announcing the schedule. The ceremony is set for 21:00 on 26 October.
Voting process and predecessor
All 100 journalists completed their ballots after an intense media debate, finalising the shortlist. The most‑voted player will succeed Ousmane Dembélé, who claimed the 2025 Balón d'Oro. No winner has been disclosed yet, keeping the competition wide open.
Lamine Yamal, the 17‑year‑old winger for Barça, is among the frontrunners. He helped the Blaugrana capture the Liga and the Supercopa this season, though a recent muscle injury limited his World Cup minutes. His performances have earned him a strong share of the ballots.
Rodri, also representing Spain, features prominently in the voting pool. The midfielder, now at Barça after leaving Manchester City, was named the best player of the World Cup despite a prior knee injury. His influence in Spain’s run to the semi‑finals bolsters his case.
Fabián, fresh from a double Champions League triumph with PSG, remains in contention. Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a key figure in PSG’s recent European success, also appears on the shortlist. England’s Harry Kane, Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga champion and Golden Boot winner, adds his six World Cup goals to his résumé.
Lionel Messi, eight‑time Balón d'Oro holder, cannot be ruled out after guiding Argentina to the World Cup final with eight goals and four assists. Kylian Mbappé, despite a barren spell at Real Madrid, boasts 25 league goals and ten World Cup strikes. Both French stars keep the race competitive.
France, eliminated in the semi‑finals by Spain, saw a subdued performance from the Bondy‑born forward. The French campaign ended without a trophy, underscoring the open nature of the Ballón d'Oro race. The upcoming gala in London will decide which of the listed stars lifts the prize.