Thierry Henry and Kate Scott to Host 2026 Ballon d'Or Ceremony

French football star Thierry Henry and British journalist Kate Scott will host the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

France Football and UEFA shared this news on their website on Monday.

This year’s event marks the 70th year of the award. It will take place on October 26, at the London Palladium in England.

Henry won the World Cup in 1998. He was a Ballon d’Or runner-up in 2003 and won the Champions League in 2009.

He co-hosts the Champions League evening shows on CBS Sports in the United States, along with Scott, and former England players Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher.

The announcement said, “Thierry Henry, 2003 Ballon d’Or runner-up, and British journalist Kate Scott will host the ceremony for the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium.”

It continued, “Who will win the 2026 Ballon d’Or? The suspense remains intact. But this Monday, exactly one week before the winners are revealed, France Football and UEFA announce the hosts of the 70th Ballon d’Or. On October 26, Thierry Henry and Kate Scott will welcome the elite of world football to the London Palladium.”

“Thierry Henry earned nine Ballon d’Or nominations and finished second in 2003. A legend of French and world football, and a 1998 World Cup and 2009 Champions League winner, he will present the gala alongside Kate Scott, an internationally renowned journalist. The Briton also hosts the Champions League evenings on CBS Sports in the US, where the two are regular co-presenters.”

According to the announcement, the new venue was chosen to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Sir Stanley Matthews, the first winner of the trophy in 1956.

“This marks a truly historic turning point, as the event had been held at the Théâtre du Châtelet, in the heart of Paris, since 2019,” it added.

Henry shared his love for London’s football culture, having played for Arsenal in his prime.

He said, “I am honoured to be hosting this year’s Ballon d’Or. London is the city I call home, and I have a deep connection to its football culture and the passionate fans here. So, to be hosting here alongside my friend and colleague, Kate, feels like a natural fit.

“It promises to be a brilliant evening celebrating the very best of the game.”

Scott mentioned that the Ballon d’Or is an “iconic night on the football calendar and the pinnacle of individual achievement in the game.”

She expressed her excitement to host the ceremony again; she previously hosted it in 2014 and 2015, and co-hosted in 2025 with Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit.