A partnership to co-organize the Ballon d’Or awards event beginning next year was announced on Friday by UEFA and the Amaury group, owners of L’Equipe and France Football magazine.
The Amaury group, located in Paris, will continue to control the voting process and maintain ownership of the Ballon d’Or, while UEFA will handle commercial rights marketing and assist in arranging the annual awards ceremony.
In 2024, two additional prizes will be given out for the men’s and women’s coaches of the year.
According to Jean-Etienne Amaury, managing director of the Amaury group, “We are very happy with this partnership to co-organise the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Speaking further, “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.”
“So the partnership with UEFA makes perfect sense since it is one of the major players in this sport.”
The yearly event is currently being in Paris, although Amaury disclosed that it may relocate to other major European cities after 2024.
“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.
When the Ballon d’Or was first given out in 1956, it recognised the best football player in Europe each season. In 1995, it was expanded to include players from all over the world who were located in Europe.
In 2007, it was elevated to a global prize, open to all players worldwide. The award is currently determined by a player’s performance during the most recent season as opposed to the entire calendar year, according to a recent modification.
- Tags: Amaury group, Ballon d’Or, UEFA
