The UEFA announced today that the 2026 Ballon d’Or gala will take place in London to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the award and honor its first winner, Stanley Matthews.

The UEFA cleared all doubts regarding the international football calendar this Thursday. The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, which represents the most prestigious individual award in global football, has an official date and a landmark venue: the gala will occur on October 29 in London, England.

The decision to relocate this glamorous event to the English capital is not a simple geographical rotation. Instead, the move responds to a monumental historical milestone. In this edition, the coveted trophy originally created by France Football magazine celebrates its 70th anniversary, spanning from 1956 to 2026.

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“The Ballon d’Or arrives in London. A tribute to Stanley Matthews, the first winner in history, 70 years ago“, France Football, creator of the award, along with UEFA, which joined the organization in 2024, announced through their social media.

Matthews received the award in 1956 at Blackpool Town Hall, and became one of the great football idols of his country. He defended the shirts of Stoke City, a team with which he raised two second division titles, and Blackpool, with which he won an FA Cup.

Moving away from its traditional Parisian backdrops, the organizing committee chose a highly symbolic setting. This venue choice allows the international football community to pay a fundamental tribute to the roots of the trophy, connecting the origins of modern football with today’s digital era.

Honoring Football Roots

The selection of England has a clear and poetic objective. The organization seeks to honor the memory of Stanley Matthews, the legendary British player who became the first footballer in history to win the golden sphere in 1956.

Celebrating seven decades of the Ballon d’Or in his homeland adds an indispensable romantic touch to the ceremony. This tribute closes a beautiful historical circle for the sport, bringing the trophy back to the country of its inaugural recipient.

With the venue and date now secured, media attention is shifting toward the potential favorites of the current season. The players who walk the red carpet in London will compete to join the exclusive ranks of the world’s football elite.

The eventual winners will succeed the current rulers of global football. French attacker Ousmane Dembélé and Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmatí currently hold the titles of the best players in the world after their victories in the previous edition.

The upcoming event in London promises to be one of the most spectacular ceremonies in football history. The city will not only host the presentation of the iconic trophy but will also serve as a summit for international sports diplomacy.

The winners of the awards will be chosen by journalists from around the world. Each must vote for their ten favorites from a list of 30 candidates that will be drawn up jointly by France Football, L’Equipe and UEFA. Ousmane Dembelé, who won last year, is one of the top candidates. For her part, Aitana Bonmatí, who missed five months of the season due to an injury, will seek to win her fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or.

This historic anniversary will gather legendary figures of the past and the brightest stars of the present for an unforgettable night. The countdown has officially begun, and the football world is preparing to witness a ceremony that honors seven decades of athletic excellence.

On October 29, global sports fans will focus their attention on England as the Ballon d’Or shines brighter than ever, celebrating the enduring legacy of the beautiful game under the stewardship of UEFA.

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