London Hosts 2026 Ballon d'Or as Voting Rules and Points System Confirmed
The Ballon d’Or winner is decided by an international panel of football journalists who rank their top ten players from an official 30-person shortlist. France Football and UEFA confirmed London as the host city for the 2026 ceremony on October 26, marking 70 years since Sir Stanley Matthews won the inaugural award.
How International Journalists Cast Ballon d’Or Votes
A selection panel formed by France Football, L’Equipe, FIFA Ambassadors, and top jurors builds the initial 30-player shortlist based on performances across a single full season. Selected media members then rank their top ten choices in order, evaluating individual performance, team trophies, and fair play.
Lionel Messi
playerFor the men’s award, one journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations votes. The women’s award uses a panel of journalists from the top 50 FIFA-ranked nations. Points are awarded on a fixed scale based on each voter’s rankings.
| Rank Position | Points Awarded |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | 15 |
| 2nd Place | 12 |
| 3rd Place | 10 |
| 4th Place | 8 |
| 5th Place | 7 |
| 6th Place | 5 |
| 7th Place | 4 |
| 8th Place | 3 |
| 9th Place | 2 |
| 10th Place | 1 |
Voting criteria shifted in 2022 to evaluate a single season rather than a calendar year. If players tie on total points, the tie is broken by counting who received the most first-place votes, followed by second-place votes if still level.
Sir Stanley Matthews won the first Ballon d’Or in 1956, while Lionel Messi holds the record for the most individual wins with eight trophies.
UEFA stated that hosting the event in London “pays tribute to English footballer Sir Stanley Matthews, the award’s inaugural winner 70 years ago”.
Ceremony Details and The 2026 Shortlists
The 2026 ceremony takes place in London on October 26, marking the first time the UK capital has hosted the presentation. The event also features the Kopa Trophy for players under 21, the Yashin Trophy for top goalkeeper, and awards for Coach and Club of the Year.
The 30-player men’s shortlist includes Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembele, and Vinicius Jr. The 30-player women’s shortlist features Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Alex Greenwood, and Caroline Graham Hansen, while reigning winner Aitana Bonmati is absent after missing much of the year with a broken leg.
Official voting regulations and shortlist details are governed directly by France Football and UEFA.