Ballon d’Or 2025: Date, Venue, Full List of Nominees, and What Fans Should Expect from Football’s Biggest Awards Night

The football world is gearing up for the Ballon d’Or 2025, the most prestigious individual award in the sport. With anticipation building, fans are asking one key question: when is the Ballon d’Or 2025? The ceremony promises to bring together the brightest stars of world football in Paris for a glamorous evening of recognition, debate, and celebration.

When Is the Ballon d’Or 2025?

The official date for the Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony has been confirmed as Monday, 22 September 2025. The event will once again take place at the historic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. While the exact start time has not yet been announced, tradition suggests the show will begin in the early evening local time, with last year’s edition starting at 7:45 PM in Paris.

Key Details of the Ceremony

This year’s awards continue to follow the season-based evaluation format rather than the traditional calendar year, meaning performances between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025 will decide the winners.

Categories and Awards to Be Presented

The Ballon d’Or 2025 is not limited to the men’s and women’s top player awards. Several other significant trophies will also be handed out:

• Kopa Trophy: Best U-21 player of the year

• Yashin Trophy: Best goalkeeper in the world

• Gerd Müller Trophy: Europe’s top goalscorer

• Johan Cruyff Trophy: Best coach of the season

• Club of the Year: Separate awards for men’s and women’s football clubs

• Socrates Award: Honoring social impact and humanitarian work

This expanded lineup reflects the growing inclusivity of the ceremony and its role in celebrating all aspects of football excellence.

Full List of Ballon d’Or 2025 Nominees

The nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2025 were officially announced on 7 August 2025.

Men’s Nominees (Selected)

• Jude Bellingham

• Ousmane Dembélé

• Gianluigi Donnarumma

• Raphinha

• Mohamed Salah

• Lamine Yamal

Women’s Nominees (Selected)

• Aitana Bonmatí

• Lucy Bronze

• Alexia Putellas

• Alessia Russo

• Leah Williamson

This diverse group of superstars represents both established legends and rising talents, ensuring intense debate and anticipation as the voting unfolds.

Why the 2025 Edition Stands Out

The Ballon d’Or 2025 is especially notable for a few key reasons:

1. Season-Based Evaluation: Only performances within the 2024-25 season will be considered, preventing early-season form from unfairly influencing results.

2. Women’s Football Recognition: The women’s category continues to rise in prominence, highlighting the global growth of the game.

3. Wide Range of Contenders: From Champions League heroes to domestic league stars, the field is packed with strong candidates, making predictions more difficult than ever.

Who Are the Favorites?

While it is too early to declare a clear winner, several names stand out as frontrunners based on their performances:

• Ousmane Dembélé has impressed with his attacking brilliance.

• Lamine Yamal is emerging as one of the youngest yet most exciting contenders.

• Mohamed Salah remains a consistent star on the world stage.

• Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas continue to dominate women’s football conversations.

Fans and pundits alike will be closely following the upcoming matches to see who cements their claim for the crown.

Looking Ahead to the Big Night

The countdown to 22 September 2025 is officially underway. As fans around the globe ask, “when is the Ballon d’Or 2025”, the excitement is building for football’s most glamorous evening. With multiple categories, global stars, and historic recognition on the line, the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris is set to be the center of the football universe when the golden ball is finally awarded.