Europe's top footballer receives their trophy tonight during the Ballon d'Or gala in London, while Kate Scott and Thierry Henry host the historic event. The British capital hosts the ceremony for the first time to celebrate Sir Stanley Matthews, the initial winner of the golden trophy.
Englishman Harry Kane stands among the main contenders for the prize after netting 73 goals for Bayern Munich last term and leading the national team to the World Cup semi-finals. He competes against Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal, who claimed World Cup victory with Spain and La Liga success with Barcelona.
Yamal secured the Kopa Trophy for two consecutive years following his displays at Euro 2024 and for his club.
Ballon d'Or 2026 Presenters
Kate Scott and Thierry Henry officially host this year's Ballon d'Or event. Henry finished as runner-up for the prize in 2003 behind Pavel Nedved of Juventus and earned nine nominations throughout his playing days. Both hosts collaborate on CBS Champions League broadcasts together with Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards.
How To Watch Ballon d'Or 2026 Free
Supporters across the globe can view the complete gala at no cost. DAZN holds exclusive broadcast rights for the ceremony. Viewers can tune into the live stream by registering for a complimentary DAZN account with an email address. The free DAZN coverage features red carpet arrivals, pre-show coverage, and the primary awards presentation. Supporters can likewise watch the ceremony live via the official Ballon d'Or website.
