The Ballon d’Or is football’s most prestigious award, honouring the best players, coaches, and clubs each season. The 2025 edition is special as it will recognise both men and women equally across categories. For fans in India, here’s when the ceremony takes place, what to expect, and how to watch it live.
When is the Ballon d’Or 2025 Ceremony?
The Ballon d’Or 2025 will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025. However, due to the time difference between India and France, football fans in India will need to tune in at 12:30 am IST on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
The award ceremony will once again take place at the historic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, a venue that has hosted the Ballon d’Or gala several times in the past.
How the Ballon d’Or Winner is Decided
The Ballon d’Or is determined by an international panel of journalists. For the men’s award, journalists representing the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries cast their votes. For the women’s award, journalists from the top 50 nations participate in the voting process. Each journalist ranks their top choices, and the player with the highest overall points is crowned the winner.
Where to Watch in India
- Television Broadcast: The ceremony will be shown on Sony Sports Ten 1 channel, making it easily accessible for fans who prefer to watch on TV.
- Online Streaming: For those who like to watch on their phones, tablets, or laptops, the event will also be available live on the SonyLIV app and website.
What Makes the 2025 Edition Special?
The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony stands out for its focus on equality. For the first time, almost every category will feature one award each for men and women. This is a major step forward in recognising the achievements of female footballers on the same scale as their male counterparts.
In addition to the main Ballon d’Or awards, this year’s ceremony will also shine a spotlight on social contributions, youth development, and coaching excellence, making it a celebration of football beyond just goals and trophies.
Key Awards to Be Announced (Categories )
- Ballon d’Or (Men’s and Women’s): Awarded to the best male and female footballers of the year.
- Kopa Trophy (Men’s and Women’s): Given to the best young players under the age of 21.
- Yashin Trophy (Men’s and Women’s): Honouring the best goalkeepers in world football.
- Gerd Müller Trophy (Men’s and Women’s): Presented to the highest goal scorers of the season.
- Johan Cruyff Trophy (Men’s and Women’s): Awarded to the best coaches.
- Club of the Year: Recognising the club with the best overall performance.
- Socrates Award: A unique prize given to players who have made a significant impact through humanitarian or social work.
This wide range of categories highlights not just individual brilliance but also team spirit, coaching talent, and off-field contributions.
Who are the nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2025 men’s award?
- Ousmane Dembélé (PSG and France)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG and Italy)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England)
- Désiré Doué (PSG and France)
- Denzel Dumfries (Internazionale and the Netherlands)
- Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund and Guinea)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)
- Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal and Sweden)
- Achraf Hakimi (PSG and Morocco)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG and Georgia)
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona and Poland)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool and Argentina)
- Lautaro Martinez (Internazionale and Argentina)
- Scott McTominay (Napoli and Scotland)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid and France)
- Nuno Mendes (PSG and Portugal)
- João Neves (PSG and Portugal)
- Pedri (FC Barcelona and Spain)
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea and England)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich and France)
- Raphinha (Barcelona and Brazil)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal and England)
- Fabián Ruiz (PSG and Spain)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
- Florian Wirtz (Liverpool and Germany)
- Vitinha (PSG and Portugal)
- Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid and Brazil)
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool and the Netherlands)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Egypt)
Who are the nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2025 women’s award?
- Lucy Bronze (Chelsea and England)
- Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride and Zambia)
- Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona and Spain)
- Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea and France)
- Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal and Spain)
- Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich and Germany)
- Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit and Italy)
- Steph Catley (Arsenal and Australia)
- Melchie Daëlle Dumornay (OL Lyonnes and Haiti)
- Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current and Malawi)
- Emily Fox (Arsenal and USA)
- Cristiana Girelli (Juventus and Italy)
- Esther González (Gotham FC and Spain)
- Caroline Graham Hansen (FC Barcelona and Norway)
- Patri Guijarro (FC Barcelona and Spain)
- Amanda Gutierres (Palmeiras and Brazil)
- Hannah Hampton (Chelsea and England)
- Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich and Denmark)
- Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes and USA)
- Chloe Kelly (Arsenal and England)
- Marta (Orlando Pride and Brazil)
- Frida Leonhardsen Maanum (Arsenal and Norway)
- Ewa Pajor (FC Barcelona and Poland)
- Clara Mateo (Paris FC and France)
- Alessia Russo (Arsenal and England)
- Claudia Pina (FC Barcelona and Spain)
- Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona and Spain)
- Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea and Sweden)
- Caroline Weir (Real Madrid and Scotland)
- Leah Williamson (Arsenal and England)
Also read: IND vs PAK: Top 5 Greatest T20I Chases by India Against Pakistan with Match Highlights
Why the Ballon d’Or Matters
The Ballon d’Or has always been regarded as the ultimate individual honour in football. While team trophies like the FIFA World Cup or UEFA Champions League remain the biggest prizes, the Ballon d’Or recognises personal excellence and influence on the game.
For fans, the award is more than just a golden ball, it sparks debates, discussions, and celebrations. Supporters passionately back their favourite players, and every year the ceremony becomes one of the most talked-about events in the sporting calendar.
The 2025 edition will be particularly exciting as it continues the tradition of acknowledging legendary performances while also introducing changes that reflect football’s growing global reach and inclusivity.
What to Expect on the Night
The evening will not just be about handing out trophies. The ceremony is known for its glamour, with football stars, past winners, coaches, and celebrities all walking the red carpet. Emotional speeches, highlights of the season, and behind-the-scenes stories often make the event memorable.
Fans can expect moments of suspense as the envelopes are opened to reveal winners, celebrations from players and their families, and perhaps even surprises, as the Ballon d’Or has sometimes delivered unexpected results in the past.
India’s Connection
Football in India may not yet be at the same level as Europe or South America, but the fan following is huge. Millions of Indian fans support European clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and PSG.
Events like the Ballon d’Or help strengthen that connection. Watching the world’s best players being recognised inspires young Indian footballers and gives fans a sense of belonging to the global football community. With the ceremony broadcast live in India, fans here will once again be able to witness football’s biggest night unfold in real time.
Conclusion
The Ballon d’Or 2025 is more than just an award ceremony, it’s a celebration of football in all its forms. From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance in past years to rising stars now making their mark, the Ballon d’Or continues to capture the imagination of fans worldwide.
For Indian fans, the wait is almost over. On September 23 at 12:30 am IST, they can tune in via Sony Sports Ten 1 or stream it live on SonyLIV to see who will take home the most prestigious trophies in football. Set your alarms, stay awake, and get ready to witness football history being made once again.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
