Lineker leaving Match of the Day
November 12, 2024
By Nik Roseveare

Gary Lineker will step down from presenting BBC’s flagship football, Match of the Day, after 25 years in the role.
Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the current season (in May 2025), but he will still front BBC Sport’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup, as well as the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup 2025/2026.
“The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup,” the BBC said, while confirming his Match of the Day tenure was ending.
Lineker commented: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”
Lineker will also continue on the popular MOTD Top Ten podcast, and the BBC will also now host The Rest is Football podcast – where Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join Lineker to discuss the lastest football news – on BBC Sounds. The podcast is part of Goalhanger productions, co-founded by Lineker.
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, commented: “We’re delighted that [Lineker will] lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup. After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week. He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football.”
Mark Chapman, the current MOTD2 host, is the bookies’ favourite to replace Lineker on Match of the Day, whilst other names reportedly under consideration include Alex Scott, Alan Shearer, Laura Woods, Dion Dublin and Gabby Logan.