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.
