70th Ballon d'Or Ceremony Set for London as Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas Lead Contenders
The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place on Monday in London, marking the first time the event is hosted outside of France.
In Brief
- •The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place on Monday in London, marking the first time the event is hosted outside of France.
- •England striker Harry Kane is the leading candidate for the men's award after scoring 73 goals during the 2025-26 season for Bayern Munich and leading England to third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- •Spain's Alexia Putellas is the top candidate for the women's award after leading Barcelona to a quadruple victory.
- •The voting criteria prioritize individual performance, team titles, and fair play, with votes cast by journalists from the top FIFA-ranked nations based on performances between August 3, 2025, and July 19, 2026.
Why It Matters
The Ballon d'Or stands as global football's premier individual accolade, signaling peak performance across national and club competitions. Staging the 70th edition in London highlights the expanding global reach of the ceremony under the co-organization of UEFA and Groupe Amaury.
Key Details
- Ceremony Edition
- 70th
- Evaluation Period
- August 3, 2025 – July 19, 2026
- Men's Frontrunner
- Harry Kane (73 goals in 2025–26 season)
- Women's Frontrunner
- Alexia Putellas
- Host Location
- London, United Kingdom
Context & Background
Created in 1956 by France Football writers Gabriel Hanot and Jacques Ferran, the Ballon d'Or originally recognized European players before expanding globally in 2007. The women's award was introduced in 2018, and UEFA joined Groupe Amaury as co-organizer starting with the 2024 edition.
What To Watch
The 70th Ballon d'Or official award presentation ceremony on Monday, October 26, 2026, in London.
Original Reporting & Sources
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