Football stars and celebrities gather in London for 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony

OPA WIRE, Oct 27 (OPA) — The red carpet at the London Palladium hosted a mix of elite athletes and international celebrities on Monday evening for the 2026 Ballon d'Or gala. England captain Harry Kane, accompanied by his wife Kate, arrived among the final group of nominees, aiming to become the first English winner of the award since Michael Owen in 2001. Other top contenders, including Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, were also present as the sport’s governing bodies and players gathered for the event.

Broadcaster Kate Scott is hosting the ceremony alongside football legend Thierry Henry. The guest list featured a broad spectrum of figures from the sports and entertainment industries, including actress Sophie Turner, singer Jorja Smith, and former players Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Ronaldo. The Brazilian legend is scheduled to present the men’s award at the conclusion of the evening, marking a high-profile return to the event for several footballing icons.

Real Madrid’s attendance marks a significant shift in the club's policy, as the Spanish side ended a two-year boycott of the ceremony. The club had previously withdrawn from the 2024 event following reports that Vinicius Jr. would not receive the top honor, which was ultimately awarded to Rodri. The return of the Real Madrid delegation, led by Mbappe, signals a normalization of relations between the club and the event organizers.

As the ceremony progresses, attention remains fixed on the men’s and women’s categories. WSL stars, including Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw and Alexia Putellas, are among those vying for the women's trophy. With the event concluding tonight, the football community awaits the announcement of the winners, who will succeed last year’s recipient, Ousmane Dembele, in holding the sport's most recognized individual accolade.