The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place for the first time in London in 2026. Typically, this prestigious event honoring football is held in Paris, but an exception is made for its seventieth edition. Africa Top Sports explains this choice.
This decision is linked to the very first recipient of the Ballon d'Or: Sir Stanley Matthews. Created in 1956 by the French magazine France Football, the Ballon d'Or was awarded to Matthews, who was playing for Blackpool at the time.
Seventy years later, UEFA wants to pay tribute to this icon of English football by celebrating the anniversary edition in his home country. According to UEFA, the choice of London is therefore primarily symbolic.
The ceremony will take place on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium. This iconic theater in central London will host the Ballon d'Or presentation for the first time. Since 2024, France Football and UEFA have been jointly organizing this event.
This is not the first time the Ballon d'Or ceremony has been held outside of Paris. The editions from 2010 to 2015 took place in Zurich, Switzerland, in collaboration with FIFA.
However, Paris still seems to maintain its traditional role. L’Équipe, which is part of the same media group as France Football, clearly mentions a temporary relocation.
The selection of England is mainly explained by the seventieth anniversary and the tribute to Matthews. Nonetheless, the possibility that future editions may again be held outside of France cannot be ruled out.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony will undoubtedly have historical significance. Not only does this election mark its seventieth anniversary, but it will also take place in London for the first time.
On October 26, we will find out who will succeed Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí in the list of the most prestigious individual awards in world football.
