Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d'Or in historic London ceremony

On October 26, 2026, the 70th annual Ballon d'Or ceremony took place at the London Palladium, marking the first time in the award's history that the event was held outside of France. The ceremony celebrated seven decades of the prestigious accolade, which was first established by France Football in 1956 to honor the best European footballers.

Harry Kane, the English striker playing for Bayern Munich, was crowned the men’s Ballon d'Or winner for the first time in his career. His achievement followed a record-breaking season where he scored 73 goals in 65 matches, secured a domestic double with his club, and led the England national team to a third-place finish at the World Cup. Other notable award recipients included Luis de la Fuente as coach of the year, Unai Simón as the best goalkeeper, and Paris Saint-Germain as the top team. In the women's category, Alexia Putellas won her third Ballon d'Or, while Barcelona dominated the awards list.

This year’s event was particularly significant as it commemorated the 70th anniversary of the institution. Following his victory, Kane succeeds 2025 winner Ousmane Dembélé as the recipient of the sport's most coveted individual prize.