The Ballon d’Or ceremony unfolds Monday at London’s Palladium, and the suspense is total. Will the world finally see who lifts the coveted trophy?
Monday will crown Ousmane Dembélé’s successor. For the first time, the awards move to London, honoring inaugural winner Stanley Matthews, as the 70th ceremony takes place at the Palladium.
Last September, the Paris Saint‑Germain forward hoisted the prize after guiding his club to its maiden Champions League triumph. This season, PSG repeated the feat, yet the upcoming 2026 World Cup reshapes the narrative.
Several favorites emerge
Paris added a second star by winning the Champions League final against Arsenal in May, but another individual trophy isn’t guaranteed. Even with Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Willian Pacho, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé in the top‑30, the race pits them against world champions Rodri and Lamine Yamal. Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé also linger in contention. In my view, PSG’s odds look thin despite the talent pool.
Injuries keep Kvara, Dembélé and Marquinhos from the London trip, while the rest stay focused on the postponed Ligue 1 clash with Lyon, now set for Monday 20:30 after nationwide protests delayed the original Sunday fixture. A similar postponement occurred last year when the Classic against Marseille was shifted to coincide with Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The winner emerges from votes of 100 journalists, each representing a different FIFA‑top‑100 nation. Voters weigh three criteria: individual brilliance and decisive impact, collective achievements and trophies, and finally class and fair‑play.
Which TV channel streams the 2026 Ballon d’Or live
Red‑carpet arrivals begin at 19:30, and the show streams live on L’Équipe TV. Former France star Thierry Henry co‑hosts with British journalist Kate Scott, a duo already seen on CBS Sports’ Champions League nights alongside Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards. You can also follow a live commentary on RMC Sport.
What time to tune in for the live 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony. Expect the winner to spark fresh transfer buzz across Europe.
After the carpet walk, the formal ceremony kicks off at 21:00 CET. Awards for each category will be revealed one by one, culminating with the women’s Ballon d’Or followed by the men’s.