• London will host the Ballon d’Or ceremony for the first time in history on October 26, 2026
• The event marks the 70th anniversary of the award first won by England’s Stanley Matthews in 1956
• The organisers have yet to announce the exact venue for the ceremony in London

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held in London for the first time ever on October 26, organisers announced on Thursday, May 28, as the prestigious football award marks its 70th anniversary.

The decision carries historical significance, as the first-ever Ballon d’Or winner was England’s Stanley Matthews in 1956.

The organisers said the anniversary celebration would honour that milestone by bringing the ceremony to England’s capital city.

Widely regarded as the most prestigious individual award in football, the Ballon d’Or has been dominated over the years by football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose rivalry shaped an unforgettable era in the sport.

The venue for the 2026 event in London has not yet been disclosed.

Last year’s award ceremony was held in Paris by Groupe L’Equipe, owners of France Football magazine, where Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele emerged as the winner.

Messi remains the most decorated player in Ballon d’Or history, having won the award eight times in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

His dominance was especially evident between 2009 and 2012, when he won the award four consecutive times, redefining attacking football with his creativity, dribbling ability, playmaking vision, and goal-scoring consistency.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times, in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.

Ronaldo’s achievements reflect years of excellence at the highest level of European football, where he became known for his athleticism, powerful finishing, consistency, and record-breaking performances in major competitions.

The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest in football history, with both players dominating the sport for more than a decade and setting extraordinary individual and team records.

India makes history as Odisha wins bid for 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the eastern Indian state of Odisha was selected to host the 2028 edition of the World Indoor Athletics Championships, marking a historic first for India in staging a major event under World Athletics.

The development signals India’s determination to reposition itself after the troubled 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe described the move as a strong indication of India’s forward-looking sporting vision.