The 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees are almost here. The shortlists for the 70th edition drop in early September, and the ceremony follows on October 26, 2026. Below is when the nominees land, the reigning winners to beat, the early contenders, and how the voting works. We will drop the full 30-man and 30-woman lists into this page the moment France Football releases them.
Last updated: September 5, 2026.
2026 Ballon d’Or: Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Edition | 70th Ballon d’Or |
| Ceremony date | Monday, October 26, 2026 |
| Host city | London |
| Nominees announced | Early September 2026 |
| Shortlist size | 30 men and 30 women |
| Reigning men’s winner | Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) |
| Reigning women’s winner | Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona) |
When Are the 2026 Ballon d’Or Nominees Announced?
France Football reveals the shortlists in early September, ahead of the October 26 ceremony. Two lists are published: 30 nominees for the men’s Ballon d’Or and 30 for the women’s. Separate shortlists follow for the Kopa Trophy (best under-21), the Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper) and the club and coach awards.
2026 Ballon d’Or Nominees (Full Shortlists)
Coming as soon as they are announced. We will list all 30 men’s and 30 women’s nominees here, with clubs and nations, the moment France Football publishes them, and add a printable predictor bracket you can fill in before the vote.
Reigning Winners: 2025 Ballon d’Or
Ousmane Dembélé won the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or after a treble-winning season with Paris Saint-Germain, and Aitana Bonmatí took the women’s award for Barcelona. The 2025 top fives:
Men’s (2025)
| Rank | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ousmane Dembélé | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2 | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona |
| 3 | Vitinha | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 4 | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool |
| 5 | Raphinha | Barcelona |
Women’s (2025)
| Rank | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aitana Bonmatí | Barcelona |
| 2 | Mariona Caldentey | Arsenal |
| 3 | Alessia Russo | Arsenal |
| 4 | Alexia Putellas | Barcelona |
| 5 | Chloe Kelly | Arsenal |
Early Contenders to Watch
Before the shortlist lands, the names most in the mix on the men’s side include Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha, Kylian Mbappé, Mohamed Salah and Raphinha, based on last season’s finish and current club form. On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo and Alexia Putellas headline the early conversation. This is pre-shortlist expectation, not the official list – we will update once nominees are confirmed.
How Ballon d’Or Voting Works
The Ballon d’Or is voted on by a panel of specialist football journalists, one per country from the top-ranked nations in the FIFA rankings. Each voter picks their top 10, with points weighted by placing. Awards are judged on individual performances and decisive impact over the season, team achievements and titles, and class and fair play. The player with the most points wins.
Ballon d’Or History
For every past winner going back to 1956, see our full Ballon d’Or winners list.
2026 Ballon d’Or FAQ
When is the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony?
The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony is on Monday, October 26, 2026, in London.
When are the 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees announced?
The 30-man and 30-woman shortlists are announced by France Football in early September 2026.
Who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or?
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) won the men’s award and Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona) won the women’s.
