Ballon d'Or Ceremony 2026: How to Watch for Free, Nominees Announced

The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, recognizing international football's top players, is scheduled to take place today, October 26, beginning at 3 p.m. ET. The event will be held at the London Palladium in London, England, marking a departure from its traditional Parisian venue to honor Sir Stanley Matthews, the first Ballon d'Or recipient.

For those looking to watch the ceremony, it will be available to stream for free on DAZN. Viewers can access the stream by creating a free account on the platform. DAZN also offers premium paid options for an enhanced viewing experience.

The shortlist for the men's award features 30 players, including eight-time winner Lionel Messi and last year's recipient Ousmane Dembélé. Other prominent nominees include Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé.

In the women's category, the award will go to a new player, as three-time winner Aitana Bonmatí was not included on the shortlist after an injury sidelined her for a significant portion of the season.

This year's awards consider achievements from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, for the men's award, coinciding with the 2026 World Cup final. For the women's award, the eligibility period runs from August 3, 2025, to August 16, 2026, which includes the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Beyond the main Ballon d'Or awards, the ceremony will also present several other honors, including the Kopa Trophies for the best under-21 male and female players, the Yashin Trophies for the best goalkeepers, and the Gerd Müller Trophies for the top scorers. Additionally, the Socrates Award will be presented for humanitarian efforts, along with Club of the Year and Coach of the Year awards for both men and women.