7M - Ballon dOr Ceremony Moves to London for Historic 70th Anniversary

The Ballon dOr gala will experience a historic venue shift this year, breaking traditional roots by moving from Paris to London. Co-organized by France Football and UEFA, the prestigious ceremony is scheduled for October 26. 

This location swap marks the 70th anniversary of the award, which was established in 1956. The move serves as a special tribute to the late English football icon Sir Stanley Matthews, who made history seven decades ago as the first-ever recipient of the Ballon dOr. Matthews secured the inaugural trophy following his standout displays for Stoke City and Blackpool. 

Organizers emphasized that hosting the event in the United Kingdom capital enhances the global reach and prestige of the brand. While the specific London venue has not yet been named, anticipation is building for the honors. In the women's bracket, FC Barcelona standouts Alexia Putellas and Ewa Pajor are prominent frontrunners after capturing the UEFA Champions League title. The upcoming winners will succeed 2025 holders Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati.