With the 2026 Ballon d'Or culminating in a victory for Bayern Munich and England's Harry Kane, it sets up a fascinating year ahead as he looks to hold onto his crown.

To retain the title would place him in an exclusive club, as it is more difficult to go back-to-back than to climb the summit in the first place. Plus, his competition is young, hungry and ready to pounce.

Only seven men have won the Ballon d'Or in consecutive years: Johan Cruyff, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Here is everything you need to know about the 71st edition, from the date and early contenders to how to watch the ceremony.

When is the Ballon d'Or 2027?

France Football and UEFA, who have co-organised the ceremony since 2024, are yet to confirm a date or venue for the 2027 edition.

The awards are traditionally held in the autumn, with the 2024 ceremony taking place on October 28, the 2025 one taking place on September 22, and the 2026 edition on October 26.

The latter was staged at the London Palladium, the first time the event had been held in London, to mark 70 years since Stanley Matthews won the inaugural award. Paris, where the Theatre du Chatelet has hosted in recent years, is the usual home of the gala.

Since 2022, the award has been based on a single season rather than a calendar year. The 2026 voting period ran from 3 August 2025 to 19 July 2026, taking in the World Cup, so the 2027 prize is expected to reward performances across the 2026/27 campaign.

Ballon d'Or 2027 Nominees

The 30-man shortlist will not be revealed until next year, but the early contenders are already taking shape. Check out our latest Ballon d'Or power rankings for the full picture.

Kane, who will be 34 by the time of the next ceremony, could feasibly continue at this rate. His game has never relied on pace, and his exceptional professionalism and football IQ should stand the test of time. Leading the line for Bayern, one of the most attack-heavy teams in world football, he scored 73 goals for club and country in 2025/26 and helped deliver a domestic double.

Lamine Yamal, who finished behind Kane and Kylian Mbappe in the 2026 voting, is the most obvious threat. The FC Barcelona star collected a third successive Kopa Trophy at the 2026 ceremony, having already won the European Championship and the World Cup with Spain, while his club have claimed back-to-back La Liga titles. There is a high chance he bridges the gap.

Mbappé, tipped for the award for years, is still waiting for the ultimate glory at Real Madrid. Despite scoring 52 goals in 2025/26, he ended the campaign without a trophy, and he is yet to win La Liga or the UEFA Champions League since moving to the Spanish capital.

Erling Haaland's record is as good as anyone's. The Norwegian reached 100 Premier League goals in just 111 appearances, smashing Alan Shearer's previous record of 124. However, Manchester City's ongoing legal troubles may prove difficult, with the club reportedly found guilty of almost all the 115 Premier League charges against them. Should his season catch fire, though, he cannot be ruled out.

Of course, Paris Saint-Germain's recent dominance could see any number of stars step up. The French giants beat Arsenal on penalties to retain the Champions League in 2026, and Ousmane Dembélé is a previous winner.

With Messi and Ronaldo, two of the greatest football players of all time, now in the twilight of their careers, the new wave offers a different dynamic to the two players who dominated the award for so long. It really is anyone's to win. Yet, right now, it's Kane's to lose.

How to Watch the Ballon d'Or 2027

Broadcast details for the 2027 ceremony are yet to be confirmed. In 2026, the ceremony was shown live on DAZN in the UK, with viewers able to watch for free by signing up for an account using an email address. It was also streamed on the official Ballon d'Or website, with coverage starting at 8pm UK time.

How is the Ballon d'Or Winner Decided?

The winner is chosen by an international jury of journalists, with one representative from each of the top 100 nations in the FIFA men's world ranking.

Voters assess candidates on three criteria: individual performance, team performance and achievements, and class and fair play. Only performances within the eligibility period count, meaning a strong 2026/27 season will be essential for anyone hoping to dethrone Kane.