When and Where: Date, Time and Venue
Mark your calendar for Monday, September 22, 2025. The ceremony starts at 21:00 CET in the historic Théâtre du Châtelet, right in the heart of Paris. If you’re on the East Coast of the United States, that’s 3:00 PM ET, and on the West Coast it’s noon PT. The red carpet rolls out an hour early, so fans can catch the glitz before the awards begin.
The Ballon d'Or 2025 marks the 69th edition of football’s most coveted individual honour. France Football, the magazine that created the award back in 1956, teams up with UEFA and Groupe Amaury to put on a night that feels part glamour, part sport history. The ceremony celebrates performances from August 1, 2024 through mid‑July (or early August for the women’s side), covering everything from league triumphs to world‑cup glory.
Who’s in the Running: Nominees Across Categories
This year the shortlist is fresher than ever. In the men’s Ballon d’Or race, Paris Saint‑Germain’s Ousmane Dembele is a hot favourite, while Barcelona’s 17‑year‑old sensation Lamine Yamal is the dark horse everyone’s talking about. On the women’s side, Arsenal striker Alessia Russo, Barcelona icons Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí, and Chelsea’s defender Hannah Hampton all have a serious shot at the trophy.
New awards for women broaden the night’s scope. The Women’s Yashin Trophy will honour the best goalkeeper, the Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy the top scorer, and the Women’s Kopa Trophy the standout young talent. Both genders also compete for the Johan Cruyff Trophy (best coach), Club of the Year and the Sócrates Award, which recognises humanitarian impact.
Coaching nominees read like a who’s‑who of modern tactics. Antonio Conte (Napoli), Luis Enrique (PSG), Hansi Flick (Barcelona) and Arne Slot (Liverpool) vie for the men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy. In the women’s pool, Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea), Arthur Elias (Brazil), Justine Madugu (Nigeria), Renée Slegers (Arsenal) and Sarina Wiegman (England) bring a mix of experience and fresh ideas.
Club of the Year battles are tight. Paris Saint‑Germain leads the men’s rankings with nine points, followed by Barcelona and Liverpool at four each. Chelsea and Botafogo round out the list. For the women’s side, Arsenal sits on seven points, just ahead of Barcelona’s six, with Chelsea, Lyon and Orlando Pride completing the field.
U.S. viewers can catch the entire ceremony on Paramount+. The streaming service will roll out red‑carpet coverage an hour before the main event, giving fans a chance to see the fashion and the buzz. It’s one of football’s biggest nights, and the live stream makes sure you don’t miss a moment, no matter where you are.
Historically, the Ballon d’Or has evolved a lot. It began as a Europe‑only award, opened up to the whole world in 2007, and now celebrates both men’s and women’s game equally. Lionel Messi still holds the record with eight wins, while Cristiano Ronaldo sits at five. Last year Manchester City’s Rodri took the trophy, edging out Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior.
The voting process stays global: an international jury of journalists, one from each country, casts their ballots. That mix of perspectives helps keep the award respected and relevant, reflecting the sport’s truly worldwide reach.
Comments
Wow the Ballon d'Or 2025 looks insane its lineup is lit Ousmane Dembele could finally get that win and that kid Lamine Yamal is already making headlines
Can't wait to see the red carpet 😃 the new women awards add a fresh vibe 🎉 hope the streaming on Paramount+ runs smooth
Interesting how the Club of the Year points are so close it shows how competitive European football has become
Honestly the whole ceremony feels like a glossy peacock parade we see it every year but the real talent lies in the underdog stories like Yamal who is just a teen prodigy making waves
Yeah because the world really needed another award show.
The Ballon d'Or has long symbolised the apex of individual achievement in football. Since its inception in 1956 it has mirrored the evolution of the sport. Early editions privileged European players whereas the globalization of the game prompted a broader inclusion in 2007. The recent decision to honour both men and women equally reflects societal progress. Records such as Messi’s eight trophies and Ronaldo’s five underline sustained excellence. The latest ceremony scheduled for September 22, 2025 will be hosted at the historic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. This venue adds cultural gravitas to the event. The nominees this year exhibit a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. Ousmane Dembele’s performances for Paris Saint‑Germain have been remarkable. Lamine Yamal, at just seventeen, represents the future of the sport. On the women’s side players like Alessia Russo and Alexia Putellas continue to raise the profile of women’s football. The introduction of the Women’s Yashin, Gerd Müller and Kopa trophies further legitimises female contributions. Moreover the Johan Cruyff and Sócrates awards acknowledge coaching brilliance and humanitarian effort. The voting process, conducted by an international jury of journalists, strives for objectivity. Ultimately the Ballon d’Or remains a celebration of collective dedication and personal brilliance.
The nominees list reads like a marketing brochure rather than a genuine assessment of merit it appears the federation is more interested in hype than fair competition