Ballon d'Or winner receives no direct cash prize from organisers, club or sponsor bonuses possible
France Football and co-organiser UEFA will stage the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London on Monday, October 26, and the organisers do not award a direct cash prize to the winner, organisers and coverage note. Past recipients, however, have received separate payments from clubs or commercial partners after winning the award.
The Ballon d’Or is presented in both men’s and women’s categories and the Golden Ball is given to the player judged to have produced consistent performances for club and country; winning team trophies and breaking records are factors in selection. The prize is being handed out for the 70th time and is regarded in the coverage as one of football’s most prestigious individual honours. Several awards are traditionally presented earlier in the evening before the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or winners are announced.
Neither France Football nor UEFA — which has co-organised the ceremony since 2024 — provides a direct cash award alongside the Ballon d’Or, coverage records. As a succinct statement on the topic noted on social media: "Winning the Ballon d'Or does not come with a cash prize.— @TheAthleticFC"
Club and commercial bonuses can follow a Ballon d’Or victory. Karim Benzema reportedly received a €2 million bonus from Real Madrid after winning the Ballon d’Or in 2022, and Luka Modric has been reported to have earned an €800,000 bonus from Nike in 2018, illustrating how extra payments have been handled in prior years.
The men’s race is described as tight, with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal named among the leading contenders, while the favourites for the women’s prize are listed as Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey. The article notes these players have delivered consistent performances for both their clubs and countries, a key consideration for voters.
The ceremony will also present awards beyond the main men’s and women’s trophies, recognising young talents, goalkeepers, coaches, clubs and outstanding contributions to society. Those awards are scheduled to be presented in the lead-up to the announcements of the Ballon d’Or winners.
Viewers can watch the event live on the official Ballon d'Or website and via the DAZN app and website, where the evening’s sequence of awards and the announcement of the winners will be broadcast.
