Gary Lineker’s iconic 25-year stint as Match of the Day host will come to an end in May 2025, with three presenters set to take over the BBC’s flagship football programme.
Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates are reportedly lined up to share presenting duties for the show.
The new presenting arrangement comes as Lineker prepares to step into a reduced role at the broadcaster, whilst continuing to front FA Cup coverage and the 2026 World Cup.
Lineker, who has been the BBC’s highest-paid presenter with a £1.35 million annual salary, is set to take a significant pay cut of at least £500,000 in his new reduced role.
Gary Lineker will leave his role at Match of the Day at end of the season
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His current salary package covers his work on Match of the Day, FA Cup coverage, Euros and Sports Personality of the Year award.
Despite stepping away from Match of the Day, Lineker will continue to present the BBC’s FA Cup coverage in the 2025/26 season and the 2026 World Cup.
Current Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman earns between £260,000 and £264,999 annually for his BBC work, which includes Radio 5 Live Sport and Challenge Cup coverage.
Gabby Logan, who joined the BBC in 2007, currently receives £210,000 for her various roles including Olympics coverage and Sports Personality of the Year.
Kelly Cates will join the presenting team from Sky Sports, where she has worked for nine years, though her future BBC salary remains undisclosed.
According to football finance expert Dr Rob Wilson from Sheffield Hallam University, the three new presenters’ combined salaries are likely to be less than Lineker’s previous earnings.
“I think the BBC will end up making a financial surplus on Gary moving on and new presenters moving in, notwithstanding the fact that the new presenters will probably be on a little bit more than they were in their previous jobs,” Dr Wilson told Card Player.
Kelly Cates is set to join BBC from Sky Sports
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Dr Wilson suggested the move to BBC could attract Cates with the prospect of higher pay and increased exposure on free-to-air television.
Dr Wilson also addressed the challenges facing Match of the Day’s transition to new presenters.
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Mark Chapman is set to form one part of a new MOTD trio alongside Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan
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“Those that have consumed Match of the Day for the last 20, 25 years have grown up seeing Gary presenting,” he said.
He highlighted the BBC’s key challenge: “They have historical viewers that will want to continue consuming Match of the Day in its present format and of course, people that want to see some change with the new presenters.”
“Finding that balance is going to be quite tricky for them,” he added.
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