2026 Ballon d'Or gala in London draws criticism for chaotic organization

The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on October 26 was heavily criticized for its unprofessional organization, including a lengthy runtime and frequent commercial breaks that drew boos from the audience. The event, held at the London Palladium, faced delays, security issues with fans breaching barriers, and a chaotic atmosphere described as a "three-ring circus." Additionally, the official website prematurely published articles appearing to announce winners, though organizers claimed these were pre-prepared profiles mistakenly made public. This was the first time the ceremony was held in London to mark the award's 70th anniversary. Despite the issues, Harry Kane won his first Ballon d'Or, becoming the first English player to do so since Michael Owen in 2001.