The Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony, one of the most prestigious events in football, is scheduled to take place tonight at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. The event will kick off at 9:00 PM CEST (12:30 AM IST on September 23) and will honor the best male and female footballers of the 2024/25 season. Fans worldwide eagerly await the announcement of the winners, with the ceremony being live-streamed on various platforms including the official Ballon d’Or website and L’Equipe’s YouTube channel. In India, Sony Liv app and network will provide live telecast and streaming, while viewers in the U.S. can watch on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network. The gala also features awards beyond men's and women's player of the year, including the Kopa Trophy for the best young player and the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper.

Among the top contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or are Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Dembele is the favorite, having played a crucial role in PSG’s Champions League success and domestic triumphs. Lamine Yamal, a rising young star from Barcelona, is seen as a potential first teenage winner of the award, while Mohamed Salah remains in contention after a record-breaking season that helped Liverpool secure another Premier League title. Other notable nominees include Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez, and several other elite players who have shone in Europe’s top leagues over the past season.

For the women’s Ballon d’Or, the spotlight is firmly on Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí, who is aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive win after outstanding performances for Barcelona and the Spanish national team, despite facing health challenges last season. Fellow Spaniards such as Alexia Putellas and Mariona Caldentey also feature among the nominees, alongside several English talents following England’s victory at Euro 2025 and Arsenal’s Champions League success. The competition is highly competitive with stars from across Europe vying for the coveted title, reflecting the growing recognition and support for women’s football worldwide.

The ceremony will be hosted by Kate Scott and 1987 Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit, promising an evening filled with excitement and football glitz. Fans can follow the event live and catch the award announcements in real time across multiple platforms. With a new judging basis focused entirely on the 2024/25 season, this year’s Ballon d’Or is expected to shake up the traditional landscape dominated previously by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The football world watches keenly, as a new generation of stars look to claim football’s most storied individual accolade.