Created by France Football in 1956, the most prestigious individual prizes in football will be awarded in London when the 70th Ballon dOr ceremony takes place on Monday.The award has been co-organised with UEFA since 2024, with Aitana Bonmati and Ousmane Dembele lifting the headline womens and mens honours in 2025.Spain and London City Lionesses schemer Alexia Putellas is being tipped to end Barcelona and Roja magician Bonmatis three-year run in the Ballon dOr Feminin this time.Bayern Munich and England talisman Harry Kane is the favourite in the mens category after an extraordinarily prolific year, ahead of Real Madrids Kylian Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot at the World Cup 2026 with France and top-scored in La Liga last season.What time is the Ballon dOr 2026?Here are the key scheduled timings for the ceremony.SectionGMT timingsETPTRed carpet18:0019:4014:0015:4011:0012:40Official ceremony20:0022:0016:0018:0013:0015:00Winners press conferenceFrom 22:30From 18:30From 15:30When does the Ballon dOr 2026 ceremony start?Here are the scheduled start times for the ceremony. You can also visit the Ballon dOr worldwide timings list.SectionGMTETPTOfficial ceremony20:0022:0016:0018:0013:0015:00Why is the Ballon dOr 2026 in London?Paris Theatre du Chatelet has hosted the Ballon dOr since 2019 but the ceremony will move to the London Palladium this year.The first Ballon dOr ceremony in London is a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the English inaugural recipient of the golden ball.LEquipe editor Gabriel Hanot gave Matthews the award on December 18 1956 in a wood-panelled room at Blackpool Town Hall. Matthews is said to have responded with a truncated speech and received a smattering of applause.He was a pioneer, the Ballon dOrs official account says of Matthews.Continually pushing the boundaries in diet and fitness and adopting methodologies that, at the time, were considered quirky at best by scoffing team-mates, but which are now cornerstones of modern-day practices.He was years ahead of the curve. Decades. And though it was only a ceremony of sorts, and though this years gala is being held 250 miles south of the Lancashire coastline, it can be stated that this autumn football is coming home. Back to where the Ballon dOr all began.Ballon dOr 2026 ceremony: Whos hosting and performing?Hugely popular journalist Kate Scott will be on expert hosting duties alongside familiar CBS Sports sidekick Thierry Henry.France legend Henry was nominated for the Ballon dOr nine times, finishing second in 2003.Musicians Jorja Smith and French Montana will perform and organisers are promising further surprises.British singer-songwriter Smith blends R&B, soul, jazz and electronic influences and will open the ceremony by performing her 2016 single, Blue Lights, to mark 10 years since the release of the record.Morocco-born, Bronx raised Montana is a three-time Grammy-nominated hiphop star whose hits include the Diamond-certified Unforgettable, which featured Swae Lee, the five-time Platinum No Stylist with Drake and the six-time Platinum Lockjaw with Kodak Black.Where to watch Ballon dOr 2026: TV channel, live online streamIn most territories, you can watch the 2026 Ballon dOr awards ceremony free on DAZN.Viewers without an existing DAZN account shouldcreate a free membershipusing their email address.For other territories, visit UEFAs Ballon dOr broadcast list. Topics FC Barcelona FC Bayern Munich Harry Kane Inter Miami CF Kylian Mbappe Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi Real Madrid CF If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Ballon dOr 2026: Follow the results live from London Ben Miller 26th October, 2026 Ballon dOr 2026: Odds, stats and where to watch with Harry Kane favourite to win ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi Jon Fisher 26th October, 2026 Barcelona 1-2 Madrid: Report, result, goals as Mbappe double settles el clasico Ben Miller 25th October, 2026 Jose Mourinho gives Lamine Yamal verdict: He tried everything Ben Miller 26th October, 2026 Barcelona v Real Madrid as it happened live: Updates, stats, goals Jon Fisher 25th October, 2026 Barcelona vs Madrid live: Mbappe scores before Yamal spurns sitter Ben Miller 26th October, 2026
