Wondering who will lift the 70th Ballon d’Or? The ceremony kicks off Monday night at London’s iconic Palladium, hosted by Thierry Henry and journalist Kate Scott. Stars from Kylian Mbappé to Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane line up, promising total suspense for football’s biggest night.
Fans across the globe are counting down to Monday, when the 2026 winner will be announced in London. Who will dethrone 2025 champion Ousmane Dembélé? The verdict has never been more eagerly awaited, and RMC Sport breaks down everything you need to know.
Tune in on L’Équipe at 21:00 local time to catch the live broadcast, with a simultaneous stream on the RMC Sport app and website.
After Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet, the awards move to London’s Palladium, honoring the inaugural 1956 winner Stanley Matthews. Red‑carpet arrivals start at 19:30, live TV on L’Équipe begins at 21:00, and RMC Sport streams the event with commentary. The winner is expected around 22:47.
Is the 2026 laureate already aware of the triumph? The former chief of the prestigious trophy offers his take.
Journalists rank nominees by tallying points from their top‑10 lists, then aggregate the scores to determine the final ranking.
For the men’s award, 100 journalists from the top 100 FIFA nations could vote until September 28, selecting from 30 nominees. Fifty journalists vote on the women’s prize. Each submits a top‑10 list, scoring 15 points for first place down to 1 point for tenth. France Football ranks the criteria as: 1️⃣ Individual brilliance and decisive impact, 2️⃣ Team achievements, 3️⃣ Class and fair‑play.
Current odds favor Yamal, Kane and Mbappé, but surprises are always possible in such a competitive field.
A crowded field makes prediction tricky, yet three names dominate: Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé. Yamal shone with Barça and lifted a World Cup with Spain, despite an injury‑marred tournament. Kane dazzled for Bayern and England, embodying a relentless striker. Mbappé now holds the World Cup scoring record, though critics note his lack of club silverware this season. Others like defending champion Ousmane Dembélé, Champions League star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, World Cup MVP Rodri and trophy‑laden Fabian Ruiz also have a shot.
The ceremony will be hosted by former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry and international broadcaster Kate Scott.
After Didier Drogba, the show will be steered by a fresh duo. Thierry Henry—French legend and Arsenal icon—takes the main stage alongside Kate Scott, a British journalist famed for hosting UEFA Champions League nights on CBS Sports.
Men’s Ballon d’Or
- Women’s Ballon d’Or
- Male Young Player of the Season
- Female Young Player of the Season
- Goalkeeper of the Season (Men)
- Goalkeeper of the Season (Women)
- Men’s Coach of the Season
- Women’s Coach of the Season
- Men’s Club of the Season
- Women’s Club of the Season
- The ceremony promises unforgettable moments, and I believe Yamal could finally break the senior‑level barrier. Will the 2026 awards set a new standard for emerging talent?