Ballon d'Or 2026: When And Where Will The Winner Be Announced? Full Details On Ceremony, Favourites And Live Streaming

Football's biggest individual honour is set for another exciting chapter as the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony prepares to bring the world's finest players under one roof. With several superstars in contention, the race for the prestigious golden trophy promises plenty of intrigue.

The 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or will take place on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium Theatre in England. The ceremony marks a historic occasion, with the awards being hosted in London for the first time, moving away from their traditional Paris setting.

The men's and women's winners will be revealed during the ceremony, although the outcome remains unconfirmed ahead of the event. Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati were the respective winners in 2025.

Ballon d'Or 2026: Date, Time and Venue

The Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8 PM GMT (9 PM CET) on October 26. For football fans in India, the event begins at 1:30 AM IST on October 27.

The London Palladium will host the landmark ceremony, which celebrates seven decades of the award's history. The choice of London also pays tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the English football legend who became the inaugural Ballon d'Or winner in 1956.

The award was created by France Football and has been co-organised with UEFA since 2024.

Who Are the Favourites for the Ballon d'Or 2026?

The men's award race features several prominent names, but Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe have emerged as major talking points.

Kane's outstanding goal-scoring numbers have strengthened his case. The Bayern Munich and England striker reportedly scored 73 goals for club and country during the 2025-26 season, making his individual statistics a compelling argument.

Yamal, meanwhile, has a strong case built around his individual brilliance, achievements with Barcelona and Spain, and his growing influence on the biggest stage.

Mbappe is another leading contender, with his performances for Real Madrid and France keeping him firmly in the conversation. His individual quality, particularly in high-pressure matches, could prove significant.

However, the race remains competitive, and there is no officially confirmed winner or unanimous favourite.

How to Watch the Ballon d'Or 2026 Ceremony?

Football fans in India can watch the Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony live on DAZN, which is set to stream the prestigious awards show live and free across around 200 markets worldwide.

The ceremony will begin at 1:30 AM IST on Tuesday, October 27, corresponding to its scheduled 8 PM GMT start on Monday, October 26, in London.

Indian viewers can visit the DAZN website or app and check the availability of the live broadcast in India. Fans may need to create a free account or sign in to access the stream.

The official Ballon d'Or website, ballondor.com, is another destination for ceremony information, live updates and results. Viewers can follow the announcement of the men's and women's winners, along with the other award categories.

For television viewers, it is advisable to check the latest Indian TV listings, as last year's ceremony was broadcast on Sony Sports Ten 1, but the same channel should not be assumed for the 2026 edition.