Ballon d'Or 2026: time, TV coverage and top favorites

One of the most eagerly awaited nights on the football calendar has arrived. This Monday, October 26, the Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony will take place, an edition of particular significance because it coincides with the 70th anniversary of the prestigious award presented by France Football.

The ceremony moves to a new venue and, for the first time, heads to London, specifically the London Palladium Theatre. The event will be hosted by former footballer Thierry Henry and journalist Kate Scott, who will lead a night that will bring together some of the biggest stars in international football.

What time does the Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony start?

The official Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony begins at 21:00 on Monday, October 26, according to the Spanish peninsular schedule. However, television coverage will kick off well before that to follow the arrival of the players, coaches and guests.

These are the scheduled times for the broadcast in Spain:

• 19:30: start of the red carpet special from London.
• 21:00: start of the ceremony and presentation of the various awards.
• around 22:55: expected announcement of the men's Ballon d'Or winner.
• 23:00: post-ceremony analysis and a special schedule for El Día Después.

In the Canary Islands, all these times will be one hour earlier.

Where to watch the Ballon d'Or 2026 on TV and online?

Movistar Plus+ will broadcast the Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony exclusively in Spain. The ceremony can be followed via the platform, both on television and through its app and website for users with access to the service.

The broadcast will be available on Movistar Plus+ (dial 7) and will include special coverage of more than four hours. Noemí de Miguel, Julio Maldonado 'Maldini' and Mario Suárez will be in London to cover the red carpet, while Carlos Martínez, Álvaro Benito, Gerard López and Mateu Lahoz will analyze what happened from the studio.

So, anyone in Spain who wants to follow the ceremony live will need to go to Movistar Plus+, which will offer both the arrival of the main figures and the presentation of the awards.

Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane, the main favorites for the Ballon d'Or

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The fight for the men's prize features several top-level candidates, although Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane appear to be two of the names with the best chances of taking the award.

The FC Barcelona forward arrives backed by an outstanding season in which he won LaLiga and the 2026 World Cup with the Spain national team. At 19 years old, Lamine Yamal could become the youngest winner in the history of the Ballon d'Or, capping a meteoric rise that has put him among the biggest figures in world football.

Meanwhile, Harry Kane boasts spectacular goal-scoring numbers. The Bayern Munich striker scored 61 goals in 51 matches for the German club and added three titles during the season. His ability to make the difference and his attacking consistency are his main arguments for winning the first Ballon d'Or of his career.

Mbappé, Rodri and Fabián Ruiz also in contention

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The list of favorites does not end with Lamine Yamal and Kane. Kylian Mbappé also has reasons to dream about the sport's most important individual recognition. The Real Madrid forward once again proved his goal-scoring ability and won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot after scoring ten goals for France.

Another standout candidate is Rodri Hernández, the Ballon d'Or winner in 2024. The Spanish midfielder was named the best player of the 2026 World Cup, a distinction that strengthens his case after becoming a key figure in the world champion squad.

It would also be wise not to rule out Fabián Ruiz, who has put together a year packed with success for Paris Saint-Germain and Spain. Winning the Champions League, Ligue 1 and the World Cup back the ambitions of a player who has been a protagonist in some of the season's biggest occasions.

Other notable names among the nominees include Ousmane Dembélé, the winner of the previous edition, Erling Haaland, Vinícius Júnior and Lionel Messi.

Alexia Putellas among the favorites for the women's Ballon d'Or

In the women's category, there will also be strong representation from Spanish football. Alexia Putellas is one of the leading candidates to win the Ballon d'Or 2026 after another great season with FC Barcelona.

The Blaugrana midfielder is looking to add a third trophy to her honours, although she will face major competition. Players such as Ewa Pajor, Patri Guijarro and Caroline Graham Hansen are also among the most prominent contenders.

In addition, Aitana Bonmatí, the 2025 women's Ballon d'Or winner, is again among the nominees and will look to extend her extraordinary record of individual accolades.

What other awards are handed out at the ceremony?

Along with the men's and women's Ballon d'Or, the ceremony will recognize different figures from the season with other notable awards.

• Kopa Trophy: recognizes the best young players.
• Yashin Trophy: distinguishes the best goalkeepers.
• Gerd Müller Trophy: rewards goal-scoring performance.
• Johan Cruyff Trophy: recognizes the best coaches.
• Club of the Year: distinguishes the most outstanding teams of the season.
• Sócrates Award: recognizes social commitment and charitable initiatives.

Among the Spanish names to watch are also Unai Simón, one of the favorites for the Yashin Trophy after his brilliant World Cup, and the young Pau Cubarsí and Vicky López, candidates for the awards that recognize emerging talent.

The big question will be answered tonight in London. Will Lamine Yamal's impact on Spain, the world champions, weigh more, or will Harry Kane's impressive goal-scoring ability? The Ballon d'Or 2026 promises one of the most interesting votes in recent years, with several players having accumulated enough credentials to be in contention for the award.