Ballon d’Or 2026: 5 factors that can decide who wins award

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With the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony approaching, attention is turning to the players in contention for one of football’s most prestigious individual prizes.

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The ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 26 in London, where the men’s and women’s winners will be crowned.

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But what exactly does it take to win the Ballon d’Or?

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The award’s voting system was revised in 2022, with the assessment period changing from the calendar year to the football season, which runs from August to July.

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Here are five key things considered by Ballon d’Or voters, as released by the organisers:

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1. Individual performance

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Individual performance is the most important factor in determining the winner.

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Voters are asked to assess a player’s performances throughout the season, with particular attention paid to their decisive and impressive contributions.

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The assessment covers both club and international football.

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2. Decisive moments

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Beyond simply producing strong statistics, players are judged on their ability to make a difference in important matches and moments.

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A player’s influence and impact on decisive games can therefore strengthen their case for the award.

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3. Collective success

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Team achievements also form part of the voting criteria.

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Voters consider the trophies and titles won by a player’s club and national team during the season.

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Winning major competitions can consequently boost a player’s chances, although collective success is ranked below individual performance.

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4. Class and fair play

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A player’s conduct on and off the pitch is also taken into account.

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The Ballon d’Or criteria include sporting class and fair play, meaning a player’s behaviour can form part of the overall assessment.

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5. Club and national team performances

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Ballon d’Or voters consider performances for both club and country.

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Players are therefore assessed across the full football season rather than solely on what they achieve at club level.

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The criteria are considered in order of importance, with individual performance coming first, followed by collective achievements, then class and fair play.

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The men’s Ballon d’Or jury consists of 100 journalists, while 50 members make up the women’s jury.

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They will ultimately decide who succeeds as the next Ballon d’Or winner when the awards are presented in London on October 26.

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