The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony took place on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium, and the night belonged to Spain. Harry Kane was named the men’s winner, while Alexia Putellas claimed her third women’s Ballon d’Or. Below is the full winners list, the key moments and what it all means.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Winners: Full List
| Award | Winner |
| Men’s Ballon d’Or | Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England) |
| Women’s Ballon d’Or | Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain) |
| Men’s Young Talent of the Year | Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain) |
| Women’s Young Talent of the Year | Vicky Lopez (Barcelona, Spain) |
| Men’s Striker of the Year | Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England) |
| Women’s Striker of the Year | Charlyn Corral (Pachuca, Mexico) |
| Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year | Unai Simon (Athletic Club, Spain) |
| Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year | Cata Coll (Barcelona, Spain) |
| Men’s Coach of the Year | Luis de la Fuente (Spain) |
| Women’s Coach of the Year | Pere Romeu (Barcelona, Spain) |
| Men’s Club of the Year | PSG (France) |
| Women’s Club of the Year | FC Barcelona (Spain) |
| Socrates Award | Bukayo Saka |
Harry Kane Wins the Men’s Ballon d’Or
Kane’s win ends a long wait for English football. He becomes the first Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001, and only the fifth in the award’s history.
The numbers explain why he was the favorite. Kane scored 73 goals for club and country across the season, won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and helped England reach third place at the World Cup. He also took home the men’s Striker of the Year award on the same night.
The race was tighter than the bookmakers suggested. Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi and reigning champion Ousmane Dembélé were all on the shortlist.
Alexia Putellas Wins a Third Ballon d’Or Féminin
Putellas added a third Ballon d’Or Féminin to the two she won in 2021 and 2022. The women’s race opened up this year because three-time winner Aitana Bonmatí missed most of the season through injury and was not on the shortlist.
Putellas scored 20 goals in all competitions and helped FC Barcelona win the league and the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Barcelona’s women also took the Club of the Year trophy, and Cata Coll, Vicky Lopez and coach Pere Romeu all collected awards.
A Spanish Takeover at the London Palladium
Every award handed out before the main prizes went to a Spanish player or coach. The key results:
- Lamine Yamal won Men’s Young Talent of the Year for the third year in a row. On stage he said teammate Pau Cubarsí deserved it, which got a laugh from the room.
- Vicky Lopez won the women’s Young Talent award for the second consecutive year.
- Luis de la Fuente was named Men’s Coach of the Year after guiding Spain to World Cup glory. Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the final against Argentina.
- Unai Simon won the men’s goalkeeper award, and Cata Coll won the women’s.
Barcelona’s women collected the Club of the Year trophy, while PSG, the French and European champions, took the men’s version.
Bukayo Saka Wins the Socrates Award
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for his humanitarian work. He and his family have supported charity projects that fund medical care for children and emergency housing for families hit by earthquakes. The award is named after the late Brazilian great and recognizes footballers who make a real difference away from the pitch.
Why the Ballon d’Or Was Held in London
This year’s ceremony was the 70th edition of the award, and it left Paris for the first time to honor Sir Stanley Matthews. The English winger won the very first Ballon d’Or in 1956. Members of his family attended the red carpet, along with Michael Owen, the last Englishman to win the men’s prize.
The evening was not without drama. The ceremony started about 30 minutes late because of heavy traffic in London, and the official Ballon d’Or website briefly published articles naming several different players as winners before taking them down.
How the Ballon d’Or Is Decided
The men’s award is voted on by 100 journalists, and the women’s award by 50. Each voter picks a top 10, with points running from 15 for first place down to 1 for tenth. The player with the most points wins. Full details are on the official Ballon d’Or page.
Ballon d’Or 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or?
Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and England.
Who won the 2026 women’s Ballon d’Or?
Alexia Putellas of Barcelona and London City Lionesses, her third.
Where was the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony held?
At the London Palladium, the first time the ceremony has been held outside France.
Which club won Club of the Year?
PSG won the men’s award and FC Barcelona won the women’s.
Who won the Socrates Award?
Bukayo Saka, for his humanitarian work.
Also Read: What Time Is the Ballon d’Or Ceremony? 2026 Start Time, Venue and How to Watch
