London to Host Ballon d'Or for First Time on 70th Anniversary

The Ballon d'Or awards ceremony will take place in London for the first time on October 26, marking the prestigious award's 70th anniversary. Established by France Football magazine in 1956, the Ballon d'Or is considered the most prestigious individual accolade in football worldwide. The decision to hold the 70th edition in London is a tribute to Stanley Matthews, the first recipient of the award, who won it seven decades ago. UEFA, Europe's football governing body, stated that hosting the ceremony in the capital of England and the United Kingdom reinforces the award's global prestige. While the exact venue for the ceremony has not yet been disclosed, it traditionally occurs in Paris. The last winners of the Ballon d'Or, in 2025, were Ousmane Dembele from Paris St Germain for the men's category and Aitana Bonmati from Barcelona for the women's category.