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Harry Kane to Attend 2026 Ballon d’Or in London

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 2:12 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Harry Kane will attend 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.
The ceremony on 26 October marks the first Ballon d’Or gala in London and its 70th anniversary.
Real Madrid will send a delegation to the London Palladium after boycotting the 2024 ceremony.
Barcelona Lamine Yamal chartered a private jet for a 20-person entourage to London.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón will travel to London for the Yashin Trophy with an Athletic Bilbao delegation.

History

Historical Context

The inaugural Ballon d'Or, created by France Football in 1956, awarded England’s Stanley Matthews for his outstanding season in the league. That first ceremony gathered journalists from 30 nations, each casting a single vote, resulting in Matthews receiving 1,000 points. Today, the 70th-anniversary gala moves to the London Palladium, with Real Madrid, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, and Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simón joining Harry Kane’s delegation. The shift mirrors the award’s early expansion, suggesting future ceremonies may rotate globally, amplifying commercial revenue and fan engagement.

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Story summary

Harry Kane will attend 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.
The ceremony on 26 October marks the first Ballon d’Or gala in London and its 70th anniversary.
Real Madrid will send a delegation to the London Palladium after boycotting the 2024 ceremony.
Barcelona Lamine Yamal chartered a private jet for a 20-person entourage to London.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón will travel to London for the Yashin Trophy with an Athletic Bilbao delegation.

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