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The 2026 edition of the Ballon d’Or awards will take place in London for the very first time this autumn.

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the award — seven decades after English legend Stanley Matthews became its inaugural winner — the ceremony will be hosted at a London venue, which is yet to be confirmed, on 26 October.

The Ballon d’Or is presented by France Football and, since 2024, has been co-organised by UEFA. The honour is bestowed upon the best footballer in the world. The 2025 winner of the men’s award was France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele.

A statement from the organisers said: “By holding its 70th edition in the capital of England and the United Kingdom, the Ballon d’Or continues its global expansion and reinforces its position as one of the most prestigious brands in world sport.”

It continued: “As the European football season draws to a close and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, the burning question remains: who will follow in the footsteps of the 2025 winners Aitana Bonmatí and Ousmane Dembele?”

Lionel Messi remains the most decorated Ballon d’Or recipient with eight titles, the latest coming in 2023 after leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo follows with five awards, while Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten each have three to their name.

The last English player to lift the trophy was Michael Owen in 2001. England captain Harry Kane, however, is among the frontrunners this year thanks to his prolific form for Bayern Munich.

Heading into this summer’s World Cup in North America, Kane leads the favourites’ list ahead of Ousmane Dembele, Declan Rice, Michael Olise, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kylian Mbappe, and Lamine Yamal.