NewsBallon d'Or 2026 Ceremony: US Start Time, London Venue and Nominees
The 70th Ballon d'Or awards take place in London for the first time. Here's the official start time and what is confirmed before the ceremony.
Representative editorial photograph, not the reported event or people. Photo: Stephen Leonardi / Pexels (Pexels free-use license).
UNITED STATES, Oct. 26, 2026 — The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 26 at 20:00 GMT at the London Palladium Theatre, according to UEFA. For viewers in the United States, that is 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time or 1 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The 70th edition marks the first time the ceremony is held in London.
What time does the 2026 Ballon d'Or start in the US?
UEFA lists a 20:00 GMT start on Monday, October 26. The equivalent is 4 p.m. EDT, 3 p.m. CDT, 2 p.m. MDT and 1 p.m. PDT. Those conversions account for the fact that US daylight saving time is still in effect on October 26. Viewers should check their local broadcaster's program listings for any earlier pre-show or red-carpet coverage.
At the time this preview was prepared, the scheduled start was still ahead. This article therefore does not name 2026 winners or claim the awards have already been presented. Results should be confirmed from UEFA or the Ballon d'Or organizers after the announcements.
Why is the Ballon d'Or being held in London?
Organizers chose London for the award's 70th anniversary. The venue is the London Palladium Theatre. UEFA says the location honors Sir Stanley Matthews, the English footballer who won the inaugural men's award in 1956. France Football established the prize and has co-organized it with UEFA since 2024.
The move is symbolically important because the gala had traditionally been associated with Paris. A London ceremony also puts the event within a familiar evening viewing window for European audiences and an afternoon slot for US fans.
Who is hosting and which prizes will be awarded?
UEFA says football legend Thierry Henry and sports presenter Kate Scott are the 2026 hosts. Categories include the men's and women's Ballon d'Or, young talent, goalkeeper, coach, club and striker honors, as well as the Sócrates Award for social initiatives.
The prize recognizes performances over a defined football season rather than simply the calendar year. Fans should not confuse the overall Ballon d'Or awards with the Kopa, Yashin or other categories; each has its own shortlist and criteria.
Which players are among the 2026 nominees?
UEFA's official men's nominee list includes Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembélé, Jude Bellingham, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Vinícius Júnior, among others. The women's shortlist includes Alexia Putellas, Mariona Caldentey, Barbra Banda and additional candidates.
A nomination is not an award result. The official shortlists should be used to check eligibility and spelling; predictions, social-media polls and betting markets do not establish the winner.
Where can US fans watch or verify the winners?
UEFA provides a broadcaster guide and official ceremony information on its Ballon d'Or pages. Streaming availability can vary by territory and platform, so the safest way to find an authorized US broadcast is to follow the organizers' country-specific listings. After the ceremony begins, confirm each award from the official results rather than unverified live posts.
Last year's men's and women's Ballon d'Or awards went to Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí, respectively. Those are 2025 results, not an announcement about 2026.
Sources and further reading
These sources are linked for readers to check the facts and the timing of this report. NewsTrendus does not claim ownership of their reporting or images.
- UEFA: ceremony start, venue, hosts and nominees
- UEFA: 2026 nominee announcement
- UEFA: official Ballon d'Or coverage and viewing guide
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