Thierry Henry and Kate Scott will host the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony which is set to take place in London. The announcement from France Football and UEFA came out with a stylish image of the pair under the “Masters of Ceremonies” banner, and the reaction online was immediate. Henry, who is the 2003 runner-up and nine-time nominee, brings the experience of a player who lived the award’s intensity.
Scott is a British broadcaster familiar from CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage. After this announcement, fans on social media platform X have given plenty of positive comments. Many fans feel that they look like a natural fit for a night that celebrates individual brilliance while still feeling like a football family gathering.
The ceremony will take place on Monday, 26 October 2026, at the London Palladium. It is the first time the event has left Paris, a deliberate choice to the award’s 70th anniversary and to Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner in 1956.
Doors open for the red carpet in the early evening, with the main show scheduled to start at 8 pm BST. Winners across the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or, Young Talent, Goalkeeper, and Coach categories will be revealed that night and it is expected to be one of the most exciting nights for Football.
Harry Kane favourite to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or after a remarkable season
With only a week to go for the Ballon d’Or, the race for the men’s award is tight and fascinating. Harry Kane is the clear favourite after a season that mixed club silverware with sheer volume of goals. The Bayern Munich and England striker has taken his extraordinary goal tally of more than 60 for club and country while helping Bayern to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double and guiding England to a World Cup bronze.
Lamine Yamal is also one of the leading contenders. The 19-year-old Barcelona winger combined another strong La Liga campaign with Spain’s World Cup victory. Kylian Mbappe, Rodri, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also feature in the nominee list with each carrying strong cases built on club form, European success, or tournament impact.
Lionel Messi’s name still appears in the list but it is unlikely that he might get the award. The shortlist was finalised weeks ago and voting has closed, so the outcome is already decided. Fans will be waiting for the reveal on the night of Ballon d’Or and Henry along with Scott will be the hosts.
