Ballon d’Or Night in London: Final Date and Everything You Need to Know

The countdown to the 70th edition of football’s most prestigious individual award has officially begun. The glittering Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London, England, on October 26, when the world’s best players will compete for the iconic Golden Ball. Before that big night, however, fans will have to wait until September 8 for the announcement of the much-anticipated shortlists across all categories.

With this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony drawing closer, excitement is building around the football world. Ahead of the shortlist announcement, here is everything fans need to know about the 70th France Football Ballon d’Or.

The winner of the men’s award will become the 70th champion in the history of the prestigious prize, while the women’s winner will be crowned only the eighth recipient. The ceremony will also celebrate the standout young talent, goalkeeper, club and coach from the previous season.

But before the spotlight turns to the main event, fans are eagerly waiting for the shortlists. That wait is almost over, with the nominees in every category set to be revealed on September 8. The announcement will be available first on Ballondor.com.

Once the shortlists are announced, voting will be carried out by a global panel of specialist football journalists. The jury consists of one journalist from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA men’s world rankings and the top 50 countries in the women’s rankings.

Each journalist evaluates the nominees based on three main criteria: individual performances and impact, team achievements and trophies won, and overall sporting conduct both on and off the pitch.

Voters then select their top 10 players from the shortlist in order of preference. The player ranked first receives 15 points, while the points decrease progressively, with the player in 10th place receiving one point. After all the ballots have been counted, the players with the highest totals will be crowned the winners at the October 26 ceremony.

Since 2019, the Ballon d’Or ceremony has been held at the elegant Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. However, for its 70th edition, the prestigious event is moving to London. The change of venue is intended as a special tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the first-ever winner of the Ballon d’Or.

Known as the “Wizard of Dribble,” Matthews represented many of the finest qualities of English football and remains widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest ambassadors. Bringing the 70th edition to London therefore serves as a fitting tribute to the early history of the award and its very first champion.

Matthews received his original Golden Ball in a modest, wood-panelled room at Blackpool Town Hall. The occasion was certainly memorable, with the town’s mayor even arranging a commemorative china plate to mark the historic achievement.

While that first ceremony was a charming and intimate affair, this year’s event in London promises to be on a vastly larger and more spectacular scale. As the Ballon d’Or celebrates its 70th edition, the move to London adds another special chapter to the history of one of football’s most iconic individual honours.