The BBC has officially announced that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan will take over the hosting duties for Match of the Day starting in the 2025-26 season.
This decision follows Gary Lineker’s planned departure after 26 years of hosting the iconic football show.
Sources reveal that the new hosts will be earning significantly less than Lineker, with their salaries expected to be a fraction of his reported £1.35 million annual income.
BBC Aims for a New Direction for the Show
As part of an effort to freshen up the show and reduce costs, BBC executives have decided to overhaul the Match of the Day team.
The new squad will be headed by Cates, Chapman, and Logan, who are set to bring a diverse range of expertise and experience to the role.
While the trio will each take turns hosting, they will not be working together in every episode.
Cates expressed her excitement over the opportunity, eagerly anticipating the moment when she takes her place in the iconic chair.
“I can’t wait to get started,” she said.
“I keep thinking about that moment where I’ll be sitting in the chair and the music starts, and I can’t wait for it to happen.”
Logan, meanwhile, acknowledged the unique dynamic that comes with sharing the role, stating that they each bring their own individual perspectives to the game.
Chapman, who has been with Match of the Day 2 since 2013, added that collaboration between the presenters would be key to making the show a success.
Lineker’s Farewell After Decades of Hosting
Gary Lineker’s departure marks the end of an era for the beloved football show.
Having taken over from Des Lynam in 1999, Lineker has been the face of Match of the Day for more than two decades.
He will continue to contribute to BBC programming, covering events like the FA Cup and the upcoming World Cup, but the 63-year-old former England striker has said it is the right time for him to step down from the flagship role.
Lineker shared that it felt natural to move on after the current contract cycle, which runs for another three years.
He expressed that stepping down from Match of the Day was akin to retiring from football when the time felt right.
“It came at a point where really the BBC and Match Of The Day, they’ve got the rights for another three years, so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird,” he explained.
What’s Next for the New Hosts?
As the new presenters step into their roles, it is expected that they will help shape the future direction of Match of the Day.
The BBC is reportedly considering introducing a news element to the show, potentially reflecting the changing landscape of sports broadcasting.
Meanwhile, Cates, Chapman, and Logan are poised to bring their own flair to the role, ensuring that the program remains engaging for both longtime viewers and new fans alike.
The trio’s backgrounds are diverse, with Cates being a seasoned presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live, Logan having covered major events like the Olympics and the London Marathon, and Chapman continuing his involvement with Match of the Day 2.
Together, they are set to carry the torch for a new era of Match of the Day.
With Lineker’s departure, the BBC faces the challenge of maintaining the show’s legacy while adapting to a new format that includes fresh faces and potentially new features.
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