The Ballon d’Or is football’s most prestigious individual accolade, celebrating the world’s best male and female players, goalkeepers, young talents, and coaches. The 2025 ceremony is set to be a historic event, marking the 69th edition of the award. Here’s everything you need to know about the ceremony’s timing, venue, how to watch, and the new categories introduced this year.
When and Where Is the 2025 Ballon d’Or Ceremony?
-
Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
-
Time: 9:00 PM Central European Time (CET), which is 12:30 AM IST on Tuesday, September 23, 2025
-
Venue: Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, France
-
Host: France Football, in partnership with UEFA and Groupe Amaury UEFA.com
The Théâtre du Châtelet, an iconic venue in Paris, will once again host the ceremony, bringing together football legends and fans from around the globe.
What Awards Are Being Presented?
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony will honor excellence across various categories:
-
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Best male footballer of the 2024/25 season
-
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Best female footballer of the 2024/25 season
-
Men’s Kopa Trophy: Best young male player (under 21)
-
Women’s Kopa Trophy: Best young female player (under 21)
-
Men’s Yashin Trophy: Best male goalkeeper
-
Women’s Yashin Trophy: Best female goalkeeper
-
Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Top male goal scorer in club or national team competitions
-
Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Top female goal scorer in club or national team competitions
-
Men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy: Best male coach
-
Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy: Best female coach
-
Men’s Club of the Year: Best men’s club team
-
Women’s Club of the Year: Best women’s club team
-
Sócrates Award: Recognizing humanitarian contributions by a footballer
New Categories in 2025
This year’s ceremony introduces three new awards to celebrate the achievements of female players:
-
Women’s Yashin Trophy: Best female goalkeeper
-
Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Top female goal scorer in club or national team competitions
-
Women’s Kopa Trophy: Best young female player (under 21)
These additions mark a significant step towards gender equality in football, ensuring that female players receive recognition on par with their male counterparts.
How to Watch the Ceremony
In India:
Fans in India can watch the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony live on the following platforms:
-
L’Équipe’s Website and YouTube Channel: Offering free live streaming of the event
-
Discovery+ (India): Providing coverage of the ceremony
-
TNT Sports (UK): Broadcasting the event on TV and via Discovery+
International Viewers:
-
United States: Paramount+ will stream the ceremony live
-
Germany: DAZN will offer a free stream of the event
-
Middle East and North Africa: beIN Sports will broadcast the ceremony
-
South America (excluding Brazil): Claro Sports will provide coverage
Who Are the Favorites for the 2025 Ballon d’Or?
Men’s Category:
-
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain): With 35 goals and 16 assists in the 2024/25 season, Dembélé is a strong contender for the men’s Ballon d’Or
-
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich): The English striker has had an impressive season, making him a top contender
-
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): A consistent performer at the highest level
-
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Known for his goal-scoring prowess
-
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): The young talent has been exceptional this season
Women’s Category:
-
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona): The Spanish midfielder is a favorite to win her third consecutive Ballon d’Or
-
Alessia Russo (Manchester United): The English forward has been in stellar form
-
Lucy Bronze (Barcelona): A key player for both club and country
-
Leah Williamson (Arsenal): The English defender has had an outstanding season
-
Chloe Kelly (Manchester City): Known for her attacking contributions
Latest News and Updates
-
PSG’s Absence: Several Paris Saint-Germain stars, including nominees Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and João Neves, are expected to attend the ceremony. However, other nominees such as Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, Fabián Ruiz, and Vitinha will miss the event due to a rescheduled Ligue 1 match against Marseille, which coincides with the ceremony time
-
Historic Ceremony: The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to be the busiest yet, with UEFA handing out 13 awards in total, including the newly introduced Women’s Yashin Trophy, Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy, and Women’s Kopa Trophy.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony promises to be a landmark event in the world of football, celebrating the achievements of both male and female players. With new categories introduced and a diverse range of nominees, this year’s ceremony is set to honor the global talent that has graced the footballing world during the 2024/25 season.
Whether you’re a long-time football fan or a newcomer to the sport, the Ballon d’Or ceremony offers a unique opportunity to witness the celebration of excellence in football. Be sure to tune in to one of the available platforms to catch all the action live.
