Thierry Henry and Kate Scott to Host Ballon d’Or Ceremony in London

Thierry Henry and Kate Scott will host the Ballon d’Or’s 70th-anniversary ceremony in London on Monday, 26 October, when football’s leading individual prizes will be awarded at the London Palladium.

The gala is set to start at 20:00 GMT and will be the first Ballon d’Or ceremony staged in England. It will be shown worldwide, with the men’s and women’s awards again decided after assessment by an international panel of journalists.

Henry, the former Arsenal forward and current television analyst, will share the stage with Scott, his regular Champions League broadcast colleague. The Frenchman said it was an honour to lead the show in the city he calls home, adding that London’s football culture and its supporters made the occasion especially meaningful.

Scott returns with extensive Ballon d’Or experience, having presented the event in 2014, 2015 and 2025. She described the awards as one of football’s defining nights and said she was delighted to be back for an occasion recognising players who inspire future generations.

Each recipient at the Palladium will take home a newly made original trophy. France Football creates fresh awards for every category each year, rather than passing on previous trophies. Diego Maradona and Pele were among the greats to receive honorary Ballon d’Or awards during their lifetimes.

Former winners and emerging stars in the frame

Lionel Messi, the eight-time men’s winner now playing for Inter Miami, is among the contenders once more. Kylian Mbappe is also in the running as he pursues a first Ballon d’Or following his move to Real Madrid.

The 30-man field includes Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, as well as the last two winners: Ousmane Dembele, who claimed the 2025 prize, and 2024 recipient Rodri. Their presence means three previous Ballon d’Or winners are in contention, with Messi joining Dembele and Rodri.

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal has also been nominated for the senior men’s honour. Pau Cubarsi and Joao Neves are further young names on the list, reflecting the growing influence of the game’s newest elite prospects.

In the women’s award, Aitana Bonmati is bidding to retain the prize she won in 2025. Barcelona team-mate Alexia Putellas is the only other former winner among the nominees, having lifted the trophy in both 2021 and 2022.

Barcelona’s challenge is strengthened by the nominations of Ewa Pajor and Caroline Graham Hansen, while Manchester City pair Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp are also in the race after their Women’s Super League performances. Zambia striker Barbra Banda and Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga have earned recognition after prolific scoring campaigns in the United States, with Esmee Brugts and Vicky Lopez representing another emerging generation.

What happens next is the vote and the final reveal in London, where the 2026 winners will be crowned on 26 October.