A milestone relocation
The Ballon d'Or, the prestigious award that celebrates the finest men's and women's footballers, will mark its 70th edition in an unexpected setting. For the first time in its history, the ceremony will be held in London on October 26, shifting from its traditional Parisian venue.
The move was announced by France Football magazine and UEFA, the competition's governing body, which together will oversee a global panel of journalists tasked with selecting the winners from a shortlist of thirty nominees. The decision reflects a desire to blend the award's European roots with the growing influence of the Premier League.
Among the names generating buzz are Ousmane Dembélé, who captured the men's Ballon d'Or last year after a season that yielded nineteen goals in thirty‑nine appearances for Paris Saint‑Germain, and Aitana Bonmatí, the three‑time women's champion who, despite missing much of the campaign through injury, remains a favorite among the voters.
The choice of London adds a symbolic layer, with the capital serving as the hometown of England's all‑time leading scorer Harry Kane and the base of the recently crowned Premier League champions Arsenal. The venue will therefore combine the prestige of the award with the energy of a city that has become a hub of modern football.
Fans and analysts alike are already speculating about the narratives that will shape the shortlist, from emerging talents in South America to veteran stalwarts in Europe. Whatever the outcome, the 70th Ballon d'Or promises to be a landmark moment that underscores the sport's global reach.