As the domestic football seasons have wrapped up for both male and female competitors, anticipation is mounting regarding who will emerge victorious at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremonies. This prestigious award stands as the pinnacle of individual achievement in the sport, distinguishing the best players in men’s and women’s football alike. Established by France Football in 1956 for the men’s category, and later expanded to include the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2018, the awards continue to garner immense attention from fans and analysts alike.
Scheduled for its 69th edition, this year’s ceremony will take place at the stunning Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on September 22, 2025, marking a significant change as it is held a full month earlier than the previous year’s event. As the glamorous occasion draws near, the focus shifts to when the nominees for this globally recognized award will be unveiled.
### When are the 2025 Ballon d’Or Nominees Announced?
Following the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup, members of the Ballon d’Or committee convened at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris to finalize the nominees for the men’s award. The highly anticipated list will be made public on August 7, allowing voters ample time to consider their options when selecting the world’s best player.
For women’s nominations, however, the timing is slightly different due to ongoing tournaments, such as the 2025 UEFA European Women’s Championship and Copa America. These nominees are also expected to be revealed on August 7, ensuring a synchronized timeline and preserving fan interest ahead of the ceremony.
### How Does the Ballon d’Or Voting Process Work?
The voting process is meticulous, involving a committee of journalists from renowned outlets like France Football and L’Équipe who curate a list of 30 potential nominees. Once the nominees are disclosed, one football journalist from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations is given the responsibility to vote for their top ten players.
Each journalist’s selection operates on a points system that allocates values to their choices: 15 points are awarded for first place, followed by descending values (12, 10, 8, down to 1 point for the tenth place). The points are compiled, and the player with the highest score will be named the winner during the live ceremony, where rankings will be revealed starting from 30th place and culminating in the announcement of the champion.
### Why Is the Ballon d’Or Ceremony Happening Earlier?
This year’s event marks the fourth consecutive season in which the award recognizes performances based on the previous football season, rather than a calendar year. In the transitional 2021 Ballon d’Or, evaluations spanned from August 2020 to November 2021, incorporating almost a season and a half. Since the 2022 awards, assessments have been concentrated solely on the full season, promoting a clearer reflection of players’ performance once the major tournaments conclude in the summer and reset in August.
### Who Are the Favourites to Win the 2025 Ballon d’Or?
As anticipated, the frontrunners for the men’s award predominantly hail from Paris Saint-Germain, which celebrated a momentous treble victory, including their first UEFA Champions League title with an impressive 5-0 triumph over Internazionale. Notable players expected to feature among the 30 nominees include Vitinha, Ousmane Dembélé, Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi, and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
FC Barcelona’s stars also hope for nominations, having clinched the domestic double and reached the Champions League semifinals—especially standout wing players like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, who shone throughout the season. In the women’s scene, the Euros ongoing introduce uncertainty into nominee predictions, with the likes of Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey from Arsenal likely making the cut due to their impressive form, alongside the ever-reliable Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas.
### Additional Awards on the Night
The Ballon d’Or ceremony is not solely dedicated to determining the best players; it will also present several other accolades on September 22. Additional awards include the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 years, the Yashin Trophy for the top goalkeeper, the Gerd Müller Trophy for the highest goalscorer from the 2024/25 season, and the Socrates Award for exemplary humanitarian work. Furthermore, accolades will be given for Men’s and Women’s Clubs of the Year, and the respective Coaches of the Year.
### Current Holders
In 2024, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri claimed the men’s Ballon d’Or, edging out Real Madrid’s Vinicius by a larger margin. As for the women, Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas have dominated the landscape, hinting at a riveting competition for the next edition. The awards not only honor individual success but also reflect the broader narratives
