BBC have announced that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will share hosting duties of Match of the Day.
Current presenter, Gary Lineker announced in November 2024 that he will stand down at the end of the 2024-25 season, albeit staying with the UK broadcaster to front their FA Cup coverage and 2026 FIFA World Cup before fully stepping away from the BBC.
Chapman and Logan who are currently relief presenters for the main Match of the Day edition (MOTD) – although Chapman at present hosts Match of the Day 2 (MOTD2) plus Match of the Day: Champions League Highlights – will now share the main role with Chapman continuing to front various MOTD2 editions across the season on a rotatory basis.
Chapman will too continue his usual BBC Radio Five Live programmes but is happy to add the main MOTD programme to his portfolio.
“I know the history of a lot of radio programmes and TV programmes and I do feel honoured to be following in the footsteps of the people that we are following in and respectful of what they have done.”
Logan meanwhile will continue to front BBC’s Rugby and Athletics coverage amongst her expanded MOTD commitments, with the iconic versatile sports presenter aware of the significance of the role.
“It’s always a real moment [sitting in the chair] because it has such history. It’s still so relevant to so many people now and talked about in a landscape where TVs changed so much.
“There’s an enormous responsibility to make sure we continue to evolve while at the same time respecting the traditions of Match of the Day. People want to see the goals, they want to see the incidents, they want to see the moments everyone’s talking about, so while we can tinker at the edges, the core is the football.”
In contrast to rumours surrounding her future at Sky Sports where she is one of their lead Premier League presenters, Cates will hold a dual role across both broadcasters and is excited to join the MOTD team and work alongside many pundits who she already know from previous work.
“Once I sit in that chair and the theme music starts, I just know that’s going to be a really incredible moment. I’ve worked with a lot of the pundits before and they’re all fantastic, so I’m just looking forward to getting started.
“I’ve known Gabby and Mark really well for years so to bring it all together, embracing the digital side of things, it feels like a really comprehensive football package for fans and that’s what makes it so exciting too.”
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