Football fans will not have to wait much longer to discover the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the official shortlists set to be announced on September 8.
The announcement will mark the beginning of the final countdown to the prestigious awards ceremony, which is scheduled to take place in London on October 26, 2026.
The 2026 edition will be the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony and will recognise outstanding performances from the 2025/26 football season.
According to the official Ballon d’Or organisers, the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or categories will each feature 30 nominees.
The shortlist announcement will also cover several other major categories, including the awards for the best young players, goalkeepers, coaches and clubs.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Shortlist Categories
The confirmed categories and number of nominees include:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: 30 players
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: 30 players
- Men’s Young Talent of the Year: 10 players
- Women’s Young Talent of the Year: 5 players
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: 10 players
The remaining categories will also be announced as part of the September 8 shortlist release.
The nominees will be selected based on performances during the relevant football season, with individual displays, team achievements and sporting conduct forming key considerations in the voting process.
London To Host 2026 Ceremony
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held in London for the first time.
The event will bring together some of the biggest names in world football as the winners of the various categories are unveiled.
The men’s Ballon d’Or will once again be the headline prize, with attention expected to focus on the players who made the biggest impact during the 2025/26 campaign.
While several football stars are already being discussed among potential contenders, the official list of nominees will only become known when France Football and UEFA release the shortlists on September 8.
Fans can follow the announcement through the official Ballon d’Or platforms as the race for football’s most prestigious individual prize enters its final stage.
The winners will eventually be announced at the London ceremony on October 26.
