Ballon dOr 2025: The Ballon d’Or is back. As one of football’s most prestigious individual awards, the 2025 edition promises to be bigger, more inclusive, and more exciting than ever before. Fans around the world are already buzzing with anticipation: when exactly will it happen, who are the nominees, and what new features can we expect? Here’s everything you need to know.
Date & Venue:
The 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on Monday, 22 September 2025. The venue: the elegant Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, a fitting stage for a night of glitz, glamour, and footballing greatness.
Time (Local & Global)
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Start time in Paris (CET): The Gala begins at 9:00 PM CET (Central European Time), which is local time in Paris.
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For India: This translates to 12:30 AM (IST) on 23 September.
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For the U.S.:
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Eastern Time: 3:00 PM ET
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Pacific Time: 12:00 PM PT
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So, depending on where you are, you’ll need to adjust. If you’re in Asia, that means staying up late (or very early) to see who wins. For folks in Europe or the Americas, it’s more conveniently placed in the evening/afternoon.
What’s New & Changes in 2025:
This year’s Ballon d’Or has some important changes that make it stand out:
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Season-Based Period: For the fourth time, the award is based on the full 2024-25 season rather than the calendar year. That means performances from major tournaments, domestic leagues, and club vs. international competition during that season are the criteria.
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Parity in Awards: A big shift – more equal recognition for men’s and women’s football across the board. Awards for women’s Ballon d’Or, young player (Kopa Trophy), goalkeeper (Yashin Trophy), etc., are given similar prominence.
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Additional Awards & Honours: Beyond the main Best Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or prizes, there will be several more categories:
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Kopa Trophy for the best U21 player (both men & women)
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Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper
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Gerd Müller Trophy for top scorer
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Johan Cruyff Trophy for the best coach
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Clubs of the Year (Men’s & Women’s)
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And the “Socrates Award,” a humanitarian/social recognition for players doing exceptional off-pitch work.
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Nominees & Key Contenders:
The shortlist was revealed on 7 August 2025.
Among the men’s nominees are:
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Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)
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Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
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Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
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Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
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Others like Kylian Mbappé, Mohamed Salah, etc.
On the women’s side, nominees include Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Leah Williamson, Clara Mateo, etc.
Because the period evaluated is the whole 2024-25 season, performances in both club competitions (league & Champions League, etc.) and for national teams count heavily. Big tournaments like Copa América Femenina and club world cups have influence.
How to Watch & Coverage:
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In India, the ceremony will be broadcast via the Sony Sports network and streamed on SonyLIV. Globally, the event will also be streamed or shown by regional partners; some free streaming (for example via L’Équipe’s YouTube channel) is also expected in certain regions.
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There will be red carpet coverage ahead of the ceremony in many places, showing nominees, appearances, and pre-show buzz.
What to Keep an Eye On:
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Will the frontrunner(s) attend? Sometimes matches or conflicts mean top nominees are absent.
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How new categories will affect momentum – especially for women’s football and young talent.
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Who clinches the Socrates Award (for humanitarian work) – this adds a meaningful social dimension to the event.
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How clubs’ successes (especially PSG’s recent achievements) impact voting.
Why This Year Feels Special:
Ballon d’Or 2025 feels like a turning point. Not just because of the star power assembled or big narratives, but also because of the structural shifts: equal awards for women, more attention to social impact, and a season-based evaluation that gives weight to those big tournaments at the end of seasons.
It reflects football’s broader changes: more global audience, more emphasis on equality and fairness, and recognition of the fact that a player does more than just score goals—they inspire, uplift, and sometimes even change the narrative beyond the pitch.
Final Thoughts:
Mark your calendars: 22 September 2025, 9:00 PM in Paris, which is 12:30 AM IST in India, and a range of times depending on your zone.
For fans of football, this is one of the best nights of the year—a chance to celebrate not just goals, but legends, moments, and stories that define a season. Whether you care most about the men’s or women’s Ballon d’Or, whether you root for the underdog or the established star, this year’s ceremony promises drama, emotion, and maybe even surprises.
ऐसे और भी Viral & Sports ख़बरों से संबंधित लेखों के लिए हमारे साथ जुड़े रहें! Khabari bandhu पर पढ़ें देश-दुनिया की ताज़ा ख़बरें — बिज़नेस, एजुकेशन, मनोरंजन, धर्म, क्रिकेट, राशिफल और भी बहुत कुछ।
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