UEFA and the Amaury Group, the owner of L’Equipe and France Football magazine, known for creating the Ballon d’Or, revealed on Friday that they have entered into a partnership to jointly host the awards ceremony, commencing next year.
The Amaury Group, based in Paris, will retain ownership of the Ballon d’Or and maintain responsibility for the voting process. Meanwhile, UEFA will be responsible for marketing commercial rights and assisting in the organization of the annual awards gala.
In addition to these changes, two new accolades will be introduced in 2024, recognizing the Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year.
“We are very happy with this partnership to co-organise the Ballon d’Or ceremony,” said Jean-Etienne Amaury, managing director of the Amaury group.
“It’s a trophy created in 1956 by France Football, the same year of the creation of the European Champions Clubs’ Cup, so there’s a common history between UEFA and the Ballon d’Or.
“The ceremony has taken on a global scale over the past 15 years with worldwide media coverage,” he added.
“So the partnership with UEFA makes perfect sense since it is one of the major players in this sport.”
The annual ceremony takes place in Paris, but there is the possibility it could move to other big European cities after 2024, Amaury revealed.
“It’s the meeting of the two best brands in football. On one side, THE trophy in football is the Ballon d’Or, and on the other side, UEFA has the best competition in the world,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, alluding to the Champions League.
“So there was a sense in doing something together. All players dream of winning a UEFA competition and the Ballon d’Or,” he added.
