Harry Kane Leads Nominees for 2026 Ballon d'Or Award

The 2026 Ballon d'Or award ceremony is scheduled for October 26 at the London Palladium Theatre, marking the 70th anniversary of the award. The event will begin at 8pm British time, hosted by football legend Thierry Henry and sports presenter Kate Scott.

This year is notable as it is the first time the ceremony is held in London, honoring Sir Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner in 1956. A total of 60 players are nominated for the men’s and women’s awards, with Harry Kane, the England captain, being the favorite after scoring 61 goals for Bayern last season.

Kylian Mbappe, who scored more goals in the Champions League and was the top scorer at the 2026 World Cup, is also a strong contender. Lamine Yamal, despite a quieter season, scored 24 goals and provided 17 assists for Barcelona.

The award criteria focus on individual performances, decisive character, and impressive contributions over the season from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026.