‘Tomb Raider’ Star Sophie Turner Debuts a Darker Look at the Ballon d’Or Ceremony in London
Football’s biggest night took on a distinctly British flavor this year. The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or, organized by France Football in partnership with UEFA, was staged in London for the first time on October 26, with the London Palladium serving as the venue.
The location carried historical significance, offering a nod to the late Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the inaugural Ballon d’Or in 1956. As red carpet arrivals ramped up outside the theater, the ceremony was even delayed by about half an hour after heavy London traffic held up some key players.
Among the famous faces in attendance was a familiar one for fans of ‘Game of Thrones’. As Film Updates shared, Sophie Turner stunned at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, marking a rare red carpet appearance for the 30-year-old English actress.
Turner showed off a noticeably darker hair color, with long, glossy brunette waves falling past her shoulders. Her new look comes after filming on her upcoming ‘Tomb Raider’ project.
She wore a look from Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection, featuring a sleek black double-breasted jacket with oversized buttons paired with tailored black trousers. Turner completed the outfit with Luna pumps and a Le Damier de Louis Vuitton necklace, keeping her makeup soft and polished.
NEW 📽️ Sophie Turner at the 2026 Ballon D’Or ceremony in London. https://t.co/jyiehO0cNc
— best of sophie turner (@badpost_sophiet) October 26, 2026
Turner wasn’t just there to walk the red carpet. She took the stage alongside Newcastle legend Alan Shearer to present the awards for Striker of the Year, which recognizes the players who scored the most goals.
The men’s honor went to Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and England, while the women’s award was presented to Charlyn Corral of Pachuca and Mexico. The pairing of Turner and Shearer drew plenty of attention from viewers watching the broadcast.
Kane enjoyed a memorable evening, going on to claim the men’s Ballon d’Or following a goal-laden season. On the women’s side, Alexia Putellas of London City Lionesses and Spain took home the top honor.
Sophie Turner stuns at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 26, 2026
The ceremony brought together football royalty from across the globe. Players, coaches and club delegations filled the historic theater for an evening celebrating the sport’s finest individual achievements.
Turner was joined by a wide mix of celebrities from music, sport and entertainment. Rapper French Montana, Burna Boy, Jorja Smith, UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett and football journalist Fabrizio Romano were among the famous faces spotted on the red carpet.
The blend of football stars and entertainment figures gave the London edition a glamorous feel. For many fans, Turner’s appearance was one of the evening’s standout fashion moments.
https://t.co/nXXxWxdFyn
— best of sophie turner (@badpost_sophiet) October 27, 2026
Turner rose to fame as Sansa Stark on ‘Game of Thrones’, appearing in all 8 seasons of the HBO series. She has since built a career across film and television, including a starring role in the ITV drama ‘Joan’ in 2024.
Her appearance at the Ballon d’Or gave fans a glimpse of her new look ahead of her next major role. With her darker hair and sharp tailoring, Turner proved she can command attention even at an event dominated by the world’s biggest football stars.
Online reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with many fans praising her refined style and joking that the trophy had competition as the best-dressed object in the room.
What do you think of Sophie Turner’s darker hair and sleek Louis Vuitton look at the Ballon d’Or ceremony?
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