# What Is the Ballon d’Or BOAT Award? Everything You Need to Know

URL: https://technosports.co.in/ballon-dor-boat-award/  
Published: 2026-10-28  
Updated: 2026-10-28  
Author: Rahul Roy

Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? Cruyff or Beckenbauer? Football fans have argued about it for decades. Now the Ballon d’Or BOAT Award lets them settle it with a vote.

## 🐐 What Is the Ballon d’Or BOAT Award?

BOAT stands for “[Ballon d’Or](https://technosports.co.in/when-how-to-watch-2026-ballon-dor-live/) of All Time”. France Football launched it on October 1, 2026, to mark the 70th anniversary of the prize. Don’t expect a new trophy to be handed to Messi or Ronaldo. It’s a public fan poll to find the greatest individual Ballon d’Or season ever. Voters back a single winning season rather than a whole career, which lets fans compare peaks across different eras.

## 📋 BOAT Award at a Glance

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| Organiser | France Football |
| Launched | October 1, 2026 |
| Voting period | October 1 to October 27, 2026 |
| Cost | €1 per vote, unlimited votes |
| Eligible players | Those with at least two Ballon d’Or wins |
| Shortlist | 10 legends |
| Winner reveal | Expected October 28, 2026 |
| Voter perks | Historic 1956 Ballon d’Or photo, plus a chance to win tickets to the 2027 ceremony |

## ⭐ The 10 Nominees

The shortlist includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Brazil’s Ronaldo. They’ve all won the Ballon d’Or at least twice, so the vote is really about which one of their best years stands tallest.

## 🗳️ How the Vote Works

Fans cast their votes on the official [Ballon d’Or website](https://www.ballondor.com/). The ballot asks you to choose a season, which gives the BOAT a different flavour from the usual Ballon d’Or and its yearly debate. The official Ballon d’Or account has also described it as a fan survey rather than a “Super Ballon d’Or”.

## 🏆 Timing Is Everything

The campaign ran in the run-up to the 70th ceremony in London, where [Harry Kane](https://technosports.co.in/harry-kane-finally-gets-his-golden-ball-and-football/) accepted the men’s award on October 26. Voting closed on October 27, and the winner is expected to be revealed today. For more football coverage, explore [TechnoSports](https://technosports.co.in/).

## ✅ Bottom Line

The Ballon d’Or BOAT Award is a fan-powered debate with a final answer. Soon we’ll know which season supporters rank as the greatest.

## FAQs

What does BOAT stand for in the Ballon d'Or BOAT Award?

BOAT stands for “Ballon d’Or of All Time”. France Football launched it on October 1, 2026, to mark the prize’s 70th anniversary.

How does voting for the Ballon d'Or BOAT Award work?

Fans vote on the official Ballon d’Or website by choosing a season, not a career. Each vote costs €1, and voters can cast unlimited votes.

Who is nominated for the Ballon d'Or BOAT Award?

The 10 nominees are Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Brazil’s Ronaldo.

When will the Ballon d'Or BOAT Award winner be announced?

The winner is expected to be revealed on October 28, 2026. Voting closed on October 27.