2026 Ballon d’Or Nominees Announced Ahead of Ceremony

The shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or was unveiled on September 8 by the Ballon d’Or organisers, marking the 70th edition of the prestigious awards. The ceremony will take place in London on October 26, the first time the city hosts this event.

The awards will recognize performances from the 2025/26 season and include categories for both men's and women's Ballon d’Or, as well as awards for young talents, goalkeepers, clubs, and coaches. Notable nominees for Men's Club of the Year include Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt, and Flamengo.

For Women's Club of the Year, nominees include FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Club América, Manchester City, and OL Lyonnes. The voting process involves an international jury of journalists, with criteria including individual performances, team achievements, and sporting conduct.

The 2026 awards follow Ousmane Dembélé's victory in the men's category in 2025 and Aitana Bonmatí's win in the women's category.