Football's biggest individual night arrived in England for the first time, with UEFA confirming the 70th-anniversary ceremony opened at 20:00 GMT / 21:00 CET on Monday 26 October at the London Palladium Theatre.

Thierry Henry and Kate Scott hosted, with Scott returning after presenting in 2014, 2015 and 2025.

The Guardian's live blog, updating through the evening, recorded one of the loudest moments so far: men's striker of the year going to Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and England, described as receiving the biggest cheer of the evening to that point.

UEFA explains that the choice of London is a tribute to the award's inaugural winner, England's Stanley Matthews, who took the first Ballon d'Or created by France Football in 1956.

Seven decades later the most prestigious individual prize in football returned to the country of its first laureate — and an English striker walking off with a major honour on the night gave the tribute an unexpected symmetry.

The venue choice also puts the gala in a theatre rather than a convention hall, a stage setting a singing audience can appreciate.

Per UEFA's preview, the evening presented the men's and women's Ballon d'Or, Young Talent of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Coach of the Year and Club of the Year, plus the Sócrates Award for solidarity initiatives.

ESPN framed the live stakes before the results: Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé were among the leading contenders for the men's prize, while eight-time winner Lionel Messi and holder Ousmane Dembélé were also in contention; on the women's side Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay chased the award Aitana Bonmatí won three years running.

This edition carried unusual historical weight.

UEFA notes there are theoretically 71 official men's and seven women's Ballon d'Or trophies in circulation, including honorary ones for Diego Maradona and Pelé, and that three former winners sat on the men's shortlist: record eight-time winner Messi, 2024 winner Rodri and holder Dembélé.

Alexia Putellas — the only former winner among the women's nominees, per UEFA — was bidding to join Bonmatí in an era of Spanish dominance, a storyline ESPN highlighted as fans wondered whether a new champion would finally be crowned.

With Kane's striker award already banked according to The Guardian's live coverage, attention turns to the headline men's and women's prizes and the reaction that follows.

ESPN's live page continues gathering winners, results and reaction from London, while broadcast partners across Europe and the globe carried the ceremony for viewers who missed the Palladium night — a 70th birthday party whose results will set the conversation until the 2027 edition.