The organisers of the Ballon d’Or have announced that the 2026 edition of football’s most prestigious individual award ceremony will be held in London for the first time ever.
The event is scheduled for October 26, 2026, and will mark the 70th anniversary of the iconic award, which was first presented to England legend in 1956.
For decades, the Ballon d’Or has remained the most coveted individual honour in world football, celebrating the finest performances across the sport. In recent years, the award has largely been dominated by football icons and , whose rivalry defined an era in global football.
Last year’s award was won by after an impressive campaign with . The 2025 ceremony took place in Paris and was organised by Groupe L’Equipe, publishers of France Football magazine.
Although organisers confirmed London as the host city for the 2026 edition, the exact venue for the ceremony has yet to be revealed.
Messi remains the most decorated player in Ballon d’Or history, having won the award a record eight times. The Argentine superstar claimed the prestigious honour in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023, cementing his status as one of football’s greatest-ever players.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, has lifted the award five times, with victories in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. The Portuguese forward built his legacy through years of consistent excellence, remarkable athleticism, and record-breaking performances across Europe’s biggest competitions.
The legendary rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest in sporting history, as both stars dominated world football for more than a decade while setting extraordinary individual and team achievements.
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