The Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony takes place tonight at the London Palladium, marking the first time the event is held in London. Fans can watch the entire show for free on DAZN.
Ceremony Details and Timing
The event celebrates the award's 70th anniversary and is staged in England as a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the first trophy in 1956. Proceedings inside the auditorium begin at 8pm on Monday, October 26, with the full presentation expected to last about two hours. The premier men's and women's awards will be given during the finale between 9:45pm and 10pm.
How to Watch for Free
Viewers can stream the live broadcast for free via DAZN by registering a basic email profile, with no card or fee required. The official website, ballondor.com, does not host the live video but offers real-time ranking updates, photo galleries, and text commentary. No traditional UK television networks hold broadcast rights, but British viewers can watch through the DAZN app on smart TVs, consoles, or mobile devices.
Frontrunners and Schedule
The digital stream starts outside the venue at 6pm to cover red carpet arrivals and early nominee countdowns before moving inside for the show. On the men's side, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Lamine Yamal lead the race, while Alexia Putellas is heavily favoured to win her third Ballon d'Or Feminin trophy.
