The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual distinction in football, awarded to the best player of the year by France Football since its creation in 1956.

The 68th edition of the awards will take place at the famous Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The winner of the 2024 addition, announced on October 28, will be winner for the first time with the omissions of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.

The Real Madrid stars are highly anticipated for the award after winning their 15th Champions League title as well as a 36th La Liga trophy last season. Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior and England international Jude Bellingham are considered the favorites, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri also a contender for the award.

But what is the voting format for the Ballon d’Or, and who is nominated for the famous title?

One hundred journalists from the top 100 FIFA member countries are selected and have the right to vote for the prize. Each voter is asked to choose their top five players from the list of nominees, with different point totals awarded for each position:

• First place: Six points
• Second place: Four points
• Third place: Three points
• Fourth place: Two points
• Fifth place: One point

The player having obtained the greatest number of points after the vote is declared the winner of the Ballon d’Or.

In previous years, the winner of the award was interviewed before the trophy ceremony, meaning that the player in question knew the result of the vote before it was announced to the public.

This year will be different, with the winner not informed of the outcome in advance, according to The Athletic.

New trophies have also been added to the list of awards given out at the event: the Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year awards will recognize the head coach who stood out for both men and women .

A total of nine prizes will be awarded on October 28:

• Men’s Golden Ball
• Women’s Ballon d’Or
• Kopa Trophy (best player under 21)
• Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper)
• Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer of the 2023/24 season)
• Men’s Club of the Year Trophy
• Women’s Club of the Year Trophy
• Men’s Coach of the Year
• Women’s Coach of the Year

A total of 30 players have been nominated for the 2024 award, and Real Madrid players dominate the list with seven nominees.

Arsenal quartet William Saliba, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are on the list alongside Manchester City’s Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Rodri.

Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal, 17, is the youngest player nominated and one of two Barcelona players recognized alongside summer signing Dani Olmo.

It’s the first time in 21 years that neither Messi nor Ronaldo have been nominated for the award, with the two greats plying their trade in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami and the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr respectively.

Aitana Bonmati is the favorite to win a second consecutive Ballon d’Or, while her Barcelona and Spain teammate Alexia Putellas has the opportunity to complete a hat-trick of victories if she is voted the best player of the 2023/24 season .

Chelsea’s Lauren James and Manchester City’s Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw are on the shortlist, but there is no place for 2023 finalist Sam Kerr after injuries disrupted his season.