New Zealand football fans can watch the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony live and free when the winners are announced in London.
Streaming platform DAZN will broadcast the ceremony from the London Palladium, starting at 9am (NZT) on Tuesday October 27, 2026.
Fans can watch on DAZN by registering for a free account or signing in to an existing account. No paid subscription is required.
The 70th anniversary awards recognise the world’s leading footballers, judged on individual performances, team achievements and conduct throughout the season.
Established by French magazine France Football in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has become football’s most recognised individual honour.
This year’s men’s nominees include England captain Harry Kane, Spain’s Lamine Yamal, France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland.
Other contenders include Jude Bellingham, Lionel Messi, Declan Rice, Michael Olise and defending champion Ousmane Dembélé.
The women’s shortlist features England’s Alessia Russo, Spain’s Alexia Putellas, Poland’s Ewa Pajor, Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay and Zambia’s Barbra Banda.
The women’s award will have a new winner after Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí, who won three consecutive titles, missed this year’s shortlist.
Past men’s winners include Messi, who holds the record with eight awards, Cristiano Ronaldo (five), Michel Platini (three) and Johan Cruyff (three).
The women’s award, introduced in 2018, has previously been won by Ada Hegerberg, Megan Rapinoe and Putellas.
The London ceremony will be hosted by former France international Thierry Henry and broadcaster Kate Scott.
DAZN chief executive Shay Segev said the platform was delighted to make the ceremony available free to fans in 200 markets worldwide.
This year’s presentation marks the first time the awards have been staged outside France, honouring inaugural winner Stanley Matthews.
How to watch
Event to take place on Tuesday October 27, 2026 (NZT)
Ballon d’Or awards
London Palladium, United Kingdom, 9am (NZT)
This story was first published on October 26, 2026.