British sports presenter Kate Scott shared the spotlight with former France international Thierry Henry as they hosted the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26.
The event marked the 70th edition of football’s celebrated individual awards and the first time the ceremony had been held in London. Organisers selected the British capital to mark the anniversary of the award, first presented in 1956 to England’s Stanley Matthews.
Scott, an established face on CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage, brought her broadcast experience to the ceremony, while Henry added the perspective of a former elite player who finished runner-up in the 2003 Ballon d’Or voting.
The pair are regular colleagues on CBS Sports’ football programmes, where they work alongside former players and pundits including Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher. Their familiarity helped make them a natural presenting team for an event bringing together leading players, coaches and figures from the global game.
A Familiar Face at Football’s Biggest Awards.
The 2026 ceremony was not Scott’s first time presenting the Ballon d’Or. She previously hosted the event in 2014 and 2015, and returned as a co-host in 2025. Her experience covering major football competitions has made her a familiar presence for international audiences.
In an interview with British GQ published ahead of this year’s ceremony, Scott said working with Henry was comfortable because they already knew each other’s humour and presentation styles through their regular television work. She also discussed the excitement of announcing winners while remaining unaware of the final results beforehand.
Henry Brings a Player’s Perspective.
Henry’s appointment added a different dimension to the presentation. The former Arsenal forward received nine Ballon d’Or nominations and finished second in 2003, but never won the award during his playing career.
His connection to London also made the venue particularly meaningful. Henry said he was honoured to host the ceremony in a city where he had built a strong connection with football supporters during his career.
The London staging also represented a milestone for the Ballon d’Or, which has traditionally been associated with Paris. The move brought the anniversary ceremony to the city linked to the award’s first winner, Stanley Matthews.
With Scott and Henry at the centre of the evening, the ceremony combined football history, entertainment and recognition of the sport’s leading performers.
