The 2026 PFA Awards ceremony is taking place at The Opera House in Manchester on Tuesday, with some of England’s leading players competing for the prestigious Players’ Player of the Year prize.
The 53rd annual ceremony will recognise players across the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, Women’s Super League and Women’s Super League 2.
A total of 74 awards are scheduled to be presented during the event, while former England international Karen Carney and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish will also receive PFA Merit Awards.
Six players shortlisted for top men’s award
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Arsenal duo David Raya and Declan Rice, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and City midfielder Rayan Cherki make up the six-player shortlist for the men’s Players’ Player of the Year award.
The award is decided by fellow professional footballers and recognises the outstanding individual performer from the previous season.
Arsenal have three representatives on the shortlist after their players enjoyed strong campaigns, while Manchester City have two contenders and Manchester United have one.
The winner will be announced as the final award of the ceremony.
Young Player of the Year shortlist
The PFA Young Player of the Year award also features a strong group of emerging Premier League talents.
Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, Arsenal teenager Max Dowman, Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki, and Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha are the six nominees.
The ceremony will also reveal the PFA Teams of the Year across the six divisions represented at the event.
The annual awards remain one of the most significant individual honours in English football because the winners are selected by their fellow professionals.
With the men’s Players’ Player of the Year saved for the closing stage of the ceremony, attention will ultimately centre on Fernandes, who is tipped favourite to win the award ahead of Raya, Rice, Haaland, Gabriel and Cherki.
