The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place in London for the first time ever on Monday evening, with Harry Kane hoping to win football's most prestigious individual award on home soil. The event, normally held in Paris, moves to the London Palladium to mark the 70th anniversary of Sir Stanley Matthews' victory in the inaugural 1956 race.
Kane leads the contenders
Harry Kane is the favourite to clinch his first Ballon d'Or and succeed Paris Saint-Germain and France star Ousmane Dembele. If he wins, Kane would become the first English player to take the award since Michael Owen in 2001, joining Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, and two-time winner Kevin Keegan on the list of English recipients.
However, the outcome is far from certain, with Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe also in contention from an impressive shortlist, while record eight-time winner Lionel Messi continues to attract support. In the women's category, Alexia Putellas is the overwhelming favourite to claim the Ballon d'Or Feminin, ending Spain team-mate Aitana Bonmati's three-year winning run.
How to watch for free
Fans can watch the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony live across the world on DAZN for free. Those without an existing DAZN account will need to sign up for a free membership using their email address. Thierry Henry and Kate Scott host proceedings at the London Palladium.
Other awards to be handed out on the night include the men's and women's Kopa Trophy for best young player, plus best goalkeeper, best coach, club of the year, the Gerd Muller Trophy, and more. A live blog from Standard Sport will follow the ceremony as it happens, along with build-up and reaction throughout Monday afternoon and evening.
