The Ultimate Guide: 5 Ways To Watch The Ballon D'Or Ceremony Live (and For Free)
The Ballon d'Or ceremony is arguably the most prestigious night in world football, where the best players from the men's and women's games are crowned with the sport's highest individual honour. As of December 22, 2025, the most recent ceremony—the 69th edition—has concluded, but the excitement for the next event, and the need to know where to watch it, remains paramount.
Whether you want to catch the full replay of the recent Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí triumphs or are planning ahead for the 2026 gala, securing a reliable live stream or TV broadcast is essential. This comprehensive guide breaks down the official broadcasters, free streaming options, and regional viewing details for fans across the globe.
Ballon d'Or 2025 Ceremony: Date, Location, and Key Winners (The Most Recent Event)
To understand the current broadcast landscape, it's important to look at the details of the most recent event. The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony took place on Monday, September 22, 2025, in the iconic setting of the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. This event serves as the blueprint for where and how the next ceremony will be broadcast.
- Date of Ceremony: Monday, September 22, 2025
- Location: Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, France
- Main Broadcast Time: The main gala typically begins around 9:00 pm CET (Central European Time), which translates to 3:00 pm ET (Eastern Time) in the United States and 8:00 pm BST (British Summer Time) in the UK.
The ceremony was hosted by former Ballon d'Or winner Ruud Gullit and British journalist Kate Scott, and celebrated the achievements of the 2024-2025 football season. The list of major award recipients from the recent gala is a must-know for any fan:
- Men's Ballon d'Or: Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Women's Ballon d'Or: Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona)
- Kopa Trophy (Best Young Player): Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona)
- Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper): Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
How to Watch the Ballon d'Or Ceremony: Broadcasters by Region
The broadcast rights for the Ballon d'Or are managed by France Football, the organizer of the award, and are sold to various regional partners. Here is the definitive breakdown of where fans in major territories can watch the ceremony live or catch the replays.
United States (US) and Canada (CA) Viewing Guide
The US market has a clear, exclusive home for the ceremony, while Canadian viewers have a strong primary option:
- United States: CBS Sports is the sole and exclusive provider for the Ballon d'Or ceremony in the US. The event is streamed live on their subscription service, Paramount+. Pre-show and red-carpet coverage often begins on the CBS Sports Golazo Network channel, which is also available through Paramount+ and various cable/satellite packages.
- Canada: In past years, DAZN Canada has been the primary broadcaster for the ceremony. Fans in Canada should check the DAZN platform closer to the next event for confirmation. As a strong alternative, the free global stream (detailed below) is often accessible.
United Kingdom (UK) and India (IN) Broadcast Details
The UK and India have different viewing methods, with one relying on a global stream and the other on a dedicated sports network.
- United Kingdom: The ceremony is typically available for free on the official Ballon d'Or website and also via the L'Équipe official platforms. This is the most reliable method for UK viewers to watch the live event without a specific TV subscription.
- India: The event is broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network for television viewers. For live streaming, fans can tune in via the Sony LIV app or website, which requires a subscription.
The Free Global Live Stream (L'Équipe and Official Website)
For many international football fans, especially those in regions without a dedicated, exclusive broadcaster, the most popular and accessible method to watch the Ballon d'Or is through the official free streams. This is the ultimate LSI keyword for viewers seeking a no-cost option.
The French sports newspaper L'Équipe, which is a co-organizer of the award alongside France Football, typically offers a full, high-quality live stream of the entire ceremony. This stream is usually available on two key platforms:
- L'Équipe's Official YouTube Channel: This is often the easiest way to watch on any device, including smart TVs, phones, and computers. The stream is generally geo-unrestricted or available to a vast international audience.
- The Official Ballon d'Or Website: The official site, `ballondor.com`, often hosts the same live feed, providing another direct source for the broadcast.
This free stream covers the red carpet arrivals, the full awards presentation—including the Kopa, Yashin, Gerd Müller, and Socrates Awards—and the climactic reveal of the Men's and Women's Ballon d'Or winners. It is highly recommended to check these two sources a few hours before the scheduled start time of the next ceremony to confirm availability.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Ballon d'Or Ceremony and Future Broadcasts
While the 2025 ceremony has just concluded, the football world is already looking ahead to the 2026 Ballon d'Or, which will recognize performances from the 2025-2026 season. Given the consistency of the event, you can rely on the established broadcast partners for the next gala.
The next ceremony is expected to be held in September or October 2026, likely returning to the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The 2026 award will be heavily influenced by the performances in major club competitions like the UEFA Champions League, as well as the upcoming international tournaments, which often elevate a player's profile into the top contenders like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Vinícius Júnior.
The broadcast arrangements are highly likely to remain the same:
- US Fans: Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network will be your home.
- UK/International Fans: The free stream on the L'Équipe YouTube channel and the official Ballon d'Or website will continue to be the most accessible option.
- Regional Broadcasters: Sony LIV (India), beIN Sports (Australia/New Zealand), and potentially DAZN (Canada) will maintain their regional coverage rights.
To ensure you never miss the announcement of the next winner, whether it’s a repeat for Ousmane Dembélé or a new champion like a breakout star from the World Cup, keep an eye on the official social media channels of France Football and L'Équipe for the official date announcement and streaming links.
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