When is the Ballon d'Or Ceremony? Your Ultimate 2025 Guide

The Ballon d'Or is the pinnacle of individual achievement in football, and the 2025 ceremony promises to be a spectacular event. Football fans worldwide are searching for the key details: when and where the ceremony will be held, who the top contenders are, and how they can watch it live.

Here’s your comprehensive guide to the highly anticipated 2025 Ballon d'Or awards.

Date and Location: Mark Your Calendars

The 69th annual Ballon d'Or ceremony is set for Monday, September 22, 2025.

The event will be hosted at the historic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, a venue that has become synonymous with footballing royalty. The show will begin at 8 PM CET (Central European Time). This year’s ceremony is co-organized by UEFA and France Football magazine, cementing its status as a premier global football event. The hosts for the night will be British journalist Kate Scott and Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit.

How to Watch the Ballon d'Or Live

If you're eager to witness who takes home the prestigious Golden Ball, you have several viewing options. The ceremony will be live-streamed for free on the official L'Équipe YouTube channel, a fantastic option for a global audience.

Additionally, a number of regional broadcasters have secured the rights to air the event. Some of the key broadcast partners include:

  • United States: CBS Sports (via Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network)

  • United Kingdom: TNT Sports and discovery+

  • Germany: DAZN

  • Spain: Movistar+

  • India: Sony Sports Ten 1 and Sony LIV

Always check local listings to confirm the exact channels and start times in your area.

Who Will Win? A Look at the Top Contenders

The nominees for the 2025 Ballon d'Or were announced on August 7, 2025. This year's award is based on the full 2024-2025 season, shifting from the traditional calendar year format to better align with the footballing schedule.

While the full list of 30 nominees is a who's who of global talent, some names have emerged as the clear favorites for the top prize. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), and Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) are among the leading contenders for the men's award. For the Ballon d'Or Féminin, Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona), Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona), and Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea) are widely considered strong candidates.

Beyond the Golden Ball: Other Key Awards

The ceremony isn't just about the main awards. It's a celebration of talent across the sport, with several other major trophies being presented:

  • Ballon d'Or Féminin: Awarded to the best female player of the season.

  • Kopa Trophy: Honoring the best male U-21 player.

  • Women's Kopa Trophy: The new award for the best female U-21 player.

  • Yashin Trophy: Recognizing the world's best goalkeeper.

  • Gerd Müller Trophy: For the top goal scorer across club and national team competitions.

  • Johan Cruyff Trophy: A new award for the best coach.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony is poised to be an unforgettable night, showcasing the best of football talent from the past season. Whether you’re a fan of a specific player or simply love the beautiful game, be sure to tune in to see who will be crowned the best in the world.