By Benson Daniel
The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards will be revealed on September 8, with football fans set to discover the players, coaches and other contenders shortlisted for this year’s prestigious individual honours.
The announcement will officially begin the final phase of the race for the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or, with the nominees expected to attract widespread attention following the conclusion of the 2025/26 football season.
The main men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards will headline the announcement, with 30 players expected to be included on each shortlist. Other categories will also have their nominees unveiled as part of the announcement.
The Ballon d’Or remains one of the most prestigious individual awards in world football, recognising outstanding performances during the season. Players are assessed on their individual performances, their influence on their teams and their achievements at both club and international level.
The 2026 edition is expected to generate significant debate, particularly over the leading contenders for the men’s award. Performances during the 2025/26 season, including domestic competitions, continental football and international fixtures, will play a major role in determining the eventual winner.
The announcement will also provide an early indication of the leading candidates before voting concludes and the final rankings are unveiled at the awards ceremony.
The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 26, 2026, in London. The event will mark a major change of setting for the prestigious ceremony, which has been associated with Paris in recent years.
The organisers have confirmed London as the host city for the 2026 ceremony, where the winners of the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards will be crowned alongside recipients of the other honours.
Attention will now turn to September 8, when the official shortlists are released and the contenders begin the final stretch of the competition for football’s most coveted individual prize.
Fans will also be watching closely to see whether established stars retain their places among the elite contenders and whether emerging players from the 2025/26 season make the cut.
The announcement is expected to set the tone for several weeks of debate and speculation before the winners are finally announced in London on October 26.
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