International Journalists to Judge 2026 Ballon d'Or Awards

The 2026 Ballon d'Or will be determined by an international jury of sports journalists, focusing on individual performances, team achievements, and fair play as the three key criteria. The 70th edition of the awards will occur at the London Palladium on October 26, with 13 trophies presented in various categories, including the men's and women's Ballon d'Or.

Organized by France Football in partnership with UEFA, the awards recognize outstanding performances during the 2025–26 football season. The men's award involves 100 journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries, while the women's award is decided by 50 journalists from the top 50 women's rankings.

Each juror ranks their top 10 players, with points allocated based on their rankings. If players tie on points, the number of first-place votes is considered, followed by second-place votes if necessary.

The voting process emphasizes individual excellence, team success, and sportsmanship.