Ballon d’or 2026: Rapper French Montana and singer Jorja Smith will perform for this 70th ceremony

The Ballon d’Or will take place in London this year, and for its 70th edition, the organizers have thought big. For the first time relocated across the Channel, the ceremony will welcome American rapper French Montana and English singer Jorja Smith, Monday October 26, to perform at the London Palladium.

A confirmed star who combines his Moroccan roots with New York hip-hop culture, French Montana is known for his collaborations such as “No stylist” with Drake and especially “Unforgettable” with Swae Lee, a title released in 2017, the clip of which has 1.9 billion views on YouTube.

“More surprises” are planned

For her part, English singer-songwriter Jorja Smith has established herself by mixing RnB, soul and jazz, influences drawn from her Jamaican origins and her classical musical training. His career took off ten years ago with “Blue Lights”, followed by other intimate or more danceable tracks. Beyond her voice, she is recognized for her committed writing, particularly in favor of social justice.

In addition to their performances during the evening, "other surprises are planned", mentioned in a press release the L'Equipe group, owner of the France Football magazine, which has awarded the most prestigious individual football award since 1956, which was awarded in 2025 to the Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé and the Spanish Aitana Bonmati.

After the traditional red carpet, the ceremony must start at 8:00 p.m. in London (9:00 p.m. in Paris). Broadcast on DAZN and the L’Équipe channel in France, it will be presented by former French international striker Thierry Henry and sports journalist Kate Scott.