The BBC’s new Match of the Day presenters have been confirmed as Gary Lineker departs.
Kelly Cates, 49, will be part of a three-strong presenting team alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan from next season.
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Kelly Cates, 49, will host the match of the dayCredit: Getty
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Gabby Logan, 51, will share hosting duties at Match of the DayCredit: Rex
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Current MOTD 2 presenter Mark Chapman, 51, will continue in his role and lead MOTD Credit: PA
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Gary Lineker steps down as Match of the Day presenterCredit: BBC
Cates, Chapman and Logan will share the presentation duties for the main game of the day on Saturday night, plus the Day 2 game on Sunday night.
The statement published on the X page of the show reads: “New line-up for next season!
“We are delighted to announce that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will share Match of the Day presenting duties from 2025-26.”
Former England striker Lineker has led the main program since 1999.
He will continue to host the BBC’s live coverage of the FA Cup next season and its coverage of the World Cup final in 2026.
Lineker said last month it was a “joy and a privilege” to present Match of the Day.
But he added on The Rest Is Football podcast: “I feel now is the right time (to leave).
“I think next contract they want to do match of the day a little bit differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.”
On becoming one of the presenters, Cates, who will also continue her role at Sky Sports, said: “Once I sit in that chair and the theme music starts, I just know it’s going to be a really amazing moment.
“I’ve worked with a lot of experts before and they’re all fantastic, so I can’t wait to get started.
Gary Lineker will stop presenting Match of the Day at the end of this season and will leave the Beeb until 2027.
“I’ve known Gabby and Mark really well for years, so all together, embracing the digital side of things, it feels like a really comprehensive football package for the fans and that’s what makes it so exciting.”
Logan, who is also at the center of the BBC’s rugby and athletics coverage, said: “It’s always the right moment [sitting in the chair] because it has such a history.
“It’s still so relevant to so many people and talked about in an environment where television has changed so much.
“There is a huge responsibility to ensure that we continue to develop while at the same time respecting the tradition of the Match of the Day.
Who are the new match of the day hosts?
MARK CHAPMAN
Chapman, 51, already has a gig as host of MOTD2 on Sunday night.
He also got a job as host of the new BBC Champions League show.
Although not a former player, Chappers has shown his quality as a leader and will be a capable replacement.
GABBY LOGAN
Logan – who is 51, the same age as Chapman – is one of the players who will step in when Lineker is unavailable.
A broadcaster, broadcaster and broadcaster with extensive experience, Logan seems to have done everything to cover sport for BBC TV – doing everything from Sports Person of the Year to the Olympics, including Paris 2024.
She joined Lineker, Scott and Chapman as Euro presenters and is now on the BBC and Amazon Prime’s 2024-25 Champions League teams.
Logan joined the BBC in 2007 and was the main face of Final Score from 2009 to 2013.
KELLY CATES
Since 2013, Cates has worked intermittently for the BBC, for Radio 5 Live.
She presented the cult fan phone-in show 606 alongside Ian Wright on Sunday between 2013 and 2018.
After joining Sky Sports her role was reduced, but Cates returned to host the midweek sports show, 5 Live Sport, mainly on Tuesdays, while also covering the 2022 World Cup.
The daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has become a TV presenter at Sky Sports, working on several Premier League shows including Friday Night Live and Super Sunday, where she appeared today for the Manchester Derby.
“People want to see goals, they want to see incidents, they want to see moments that everyone is talking about, so while we can tinker around the edges, the core is football.”
Chapman will continue with his usual programs on BBC Radio 5 Live, including Saturdays with the iconic Sports Report.
He added: “I know the history of many radio and TV programs and I feel honored to follow in the footsteps of the people we follow and respect what they have done.”
Of the role sharing, Cates said: “This is not about the three of us, it’s about the three of us plus our experts, plus our editors, plus our analysts and statistics and production people, radio and online.
“It’s really about everyone as a department working together.”
Since 2013, Cates has worked intermittently for the BBC, for Radio 5 Live.
She presented the cult fan phone-in show 606 alongside Ian Wright on Sunday between 2013 and 2018.
After joining Sky Sports her role was reduced, but Cates returned to host the midweek sports show, 5 Live Sport, mainly on Tuesdays, while also covering the 2022 World Cup.
The daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has become a TV presenter at Sky Sports, working on several Premier League shows including Friday Night Live.
Sky Sports bosses are said to be sad to see her go – but she was thought to be the BBC’s leading outside candidate to take over from the iconic Lineker.
Logan and Chapman worked for the BBC for several years, including on Match of the Day.
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Cates has worked as a presenter on Sky Sports since 2016. Credit: Getty
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She presented leading shows including Super Sunday
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Chapman already has a gig hosting MOTD2 on Sunday nightCredit: Getty
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He was on the couch for the BBC’s new Champions League highlights showCredit: BBC
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Logan is a top TV presenter who has worked on the biggest sporting events Credit: Alamy
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Father and daughter laugh during Sky Sports coverage Credit: PA
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