What time does Ballon d'Or 2024 start? Date, schedule, how to ...

Paris is preparing to host this year's Ballon d'Or gala.

In what is set to be a star-studded 2024 event in the French capital, the best football players in the world over the past season will be crowned. Awards for top coaches in the men's and women's games will also be handed out, along with the Kopa Trophy for the best youngster.

Lionel Messi won the main men's prize a year ago, but despite the Argentina great helping his country to Copa America glory, a season spent in MLS was not enough to earn him a nomination. Cristiano Ronaldo is also absent from the shortlist, signalling the end of a remarkable 20-year streak.

Favourites for this year's men's award include Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and his teammate Jude Bellingham. Barcelona Femeni and Spain sensation Aitana Bonmati, meanwhile, is backed to win a second successive women's prize.

Below are the details on the ceremony start time, when we'll likely see a winner crowned, and how you can watch in Australia.

MORE: Why winning the Ballon d'Or matters | All-time Ballon d'Or winners

The Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to start at 8:45 p.m. local time in Paris, France on Monday, October 28. That means it'll be a 5:45 a.m. AEDT start time on Tuesday, October 29 for viewers in Australia.

The main men's prize is traditionally the last to be given out during the gala, so we're likely to find out the winner at approximately 7:15 am AEDT based on last year's schedule.

In past years, SBS On Demand has streamed the awards ceremony for Aussie fans.

The Sporting News will update this page when the 2024 broadcast details are confirmed.