The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony was held in London, where the world’s leading footballers gathered to compete for both the men’s and women’s awards. The event, organized by France Football, brought together the sport’s biggest names for a night of recognition and celebration.
Established in 1956, the Ballon d’Or is widely regarded as football’s most prestigious individual honour, traditionally presented to the player judged to have performed best over the calendar year. This year’s ceremony marked a notable shift, being staged in London for the first time, underscoring the global reach of the award.
ESPN provided live updates throughout the evening, delivering real‑time results and reactions as the winners were announced. Fans worldwide were able to follow the unfolding drama and hear the responses of the nominees and football community as the night progressed.
<small>Source: ESPN — read the original story there.</small>