The Ballon d’Or organisers have confirmed this year’s award ceremony will take place on 22 September.

The 69th Ballon d’Or will be held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France Football magazine and UEFA said.

“The Ballon d’Or will be announced a month earlier than usual this year… The 2025 ceremony will be marked by parity in the distribution of awards: all the trophies that existed only for men will now be available for women (best goalkeeper, best young player, best scorer),” reads the statement from the organizers.

There will be six awards for male players and six for female players, with an additional prize, the Socrates Award, for actions that promote solidarity, which is open to men or women.

The award criteria for the Ballon d’Or

As a reminder, the trophy is organised by France Football. Thirty (30) players are nominated for the Ballon d’Or, and their names will be submitted to a vote. The voters are journalists. There are 100 voters for the men’s Ballon d’Or and 50 voters for the women’s Ballon d’Or.

Each country in the top 100 of the FIFA rankings (top 50 for women) has a journalist representative who votes for the winner of the most prestigious individual trophy in the world of football. Each journalist must elect a top 10, each position of which awards points to the designated player. The player with the most points is awarded the Ballon d’Or.

Last year’s male winner for the main award was Rodri of Manchester City and Spain, while Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati, who also hails from Spain, won the women’s award.

Three hierarchical criteria are considered by Ballon d’Or voters. First, individual performances and decisive and impressive character. Second, teamwork and trophies won. Finally, class and fair play.

The nominees will be announced in early August.