Ballon d’Or 2025 to feature equal awards for men, women in landmark move

In a historic shift towards gender equality in football, the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards will, for the first time, feature an equal number of categories for male and female players.

The prestigious ceremony is set to take place on 22nd September 2025 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.

This groundbreaking update includes the introduction of new categories dedicated to recognising excellence in women’s football. Among the additions are awards for the Best Women’s Goalkeeper, Best Young Female Player, and Top Female Scorer whether at the club or international level.

With these new categories, the total number of awards for both men and women now stands at six each, ensuring greater visibility and recognition for female athletes on football’s biggest stage.

The Socrates Award, which honours players for their social impact and humanitarian efforts, will continue to be open to all genders.