Ballon d'Or ceremony moves to London in Stanley Matthews tribute

The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony will be held at the London Palladium on Monday 26 October as a tribute to former England player Stanley Matthews. The event is moving from its usual home in Paris.

Proceedings will begin at 20:00 GMT, with Thierry Henry and Kate Scott hosting. Matthews' son, Stanley Matthews Jr, will attend with his sister, Jean, and her two daughters.

Speaking to the Guardian, Stanley Matthews Jr said the family were "very excited" about attending. He described his father as ahead of his time in his training, diet and use of lightweight boots.

• Stanley Matthews received the inaugural Ballon d'Or at Blackpool Town Hall on 18 December 1956, aged 41, with Gabriel Hanot presenting the trophy.
• UEFA and brand owner Groupe Amaury began co-organising the Ballon d'Or in 2024, with voting overseen by Groupe Amaury and the annual gala organised by UEFA.