How the 2026 Ballon d'Or and Ballon d’Or Feminin winners are decided
The shortlists for the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards have been revealed, but the winners will only be crowned at the ceremony on October 26.
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The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or and Ballon d’Or Feminin have been announced, setting the stage for the awards ceremony on Monday, October 26, in London. This year marks a significant milestone, being held 70 years after the inaugural award.
Key contenders on the men’s side include Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, and Manchester City's Erling Haaland. The women’s category will see a new winner this year, as reigning recipient Aitana Bonmati is absent due to a long-term injury.
The 30-player shortlists were compiled by journalists from France Football and L'Equipe, alongside experts selected by UEFA. The evaluation covers the entire 2025-26 season, inclusive of both domestic league performances and major international tournaments played during that period.
Winners are determined by a panel of journalists from the top-ranked FIFA member nations—100 for the men’s award and 50 for the women’s. Each panelist ranks their top 10 players, with points ranging from 15 for first place down to one for tenth. The player with the highest total points secures the trophy.
Voting is subjective, with panelists encouraged to focus on individual performance, collective trophies, and fair play. This process ensures that the award reflects both statistical excellence and overall impact on the game.