Everything you need to know about the Ballon d'Or: where and when it takes place, who is the favorite...

The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place at the Palladium Theatre in London, honoring its first winner, Stanley Matthews. Thierry Henry and Kate Scott will host the event, which starts at 21:00. Key awards include the men's and women's Ballon d'Or, best young player, and the Socrates Prize for social initiatives. Favorites for the men's award include Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé, while Alexia Putellas is favored among women. Winners are chosen by an international jury of journalists from FIFA-ranked countries, based on individual and collective performances, titles won, and fair play. Spain leads with 26 nominees across all categories, followed by France with ten.