Football’s most famous individual award will be handed out on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium — the first time the Ballon d’Or ceremony has been held in the United Kingdom and the first away from its traditional Parisian home since 2019. After a season that ended with Spain winning the World Cup, the men’s race looks wide open.
Key facts
- Date: October 26, 2026 · Venue: London Palladium
- 30 men and 30 women are nominated.
- Aitana Bonmatí is absent from the women’s list through injury.
The men’s contenders
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
The bookmakers’ favourite scored 36 Bundesliga goals and 73 across club and country, adding six goals and an assist at the World Cup as England reached the semi-finals. The case against him: no Champions League or World Cup winner’s medal.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Yamal helped Barcelona win LaLiga with 16 goals and 11 assists, then lifted the World Cup with Spain, winning the decisive penalty in the semi-final against France. Victory would make him the youngest winner in the award’s history.
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France)
Mbappé was the Champions League’s top scorer with 15 goals and won the World Cup Golden Boot with 10. But Real Madrid won no major trophy and France fell in the semi-finals.
The outsiders
Rodri, a former winner, took the World Cup Golden Ball as Spain conceded only once in eight games. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named UEFA’s Champions League Player of the Season as PSG retained the trophy, and Lionel Messi scored eight World Cup goals before losing the final to Spain. Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning winner, is also nominated.
Goals favour Kane, trophies favour Yamal — and the jury’s choice will reveal which it values more.
The women’s race
With Aitana Bonmatí sidelined, the field is open. Alexia Putellas, now at London City Lionesses, is among the favourites, while Ewa Pajor, Patri Guijarro, Caroline Graham Hansen, Melchie Dumornay, Pernille Harder and Khadija Shaw are expected to contend.
How to follow
We will update our Sports section after the ceremony with the full list of winners, including the Kopa and Yashin trophies.