Gary Lineker, who has hosted Match of the Day since 1999, is scheduled to leave the show at the conclusion of the current season. He will, however, continue to host the 2026 World Cup and the FA Cup for BBC Sport.
The BBC announced that they have negotiated an agreement with Lineker for a contract extension through the 2026 World Cup, despite the fact that his departure from Match of the Day will mark the end of an era in BBC football coverage.
Lineker thanked everyone who made his long-term involvement with BBC Sport possible and expressed gratitude for his time there, saying he was “delighted to continue” with the organization.
Aside from TV hosting, Lineker will keep working with BBC on audio content. He will continue the Match of the Day Top Ten podcast and will also bring The Rest is Football podcast, featuring Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, to BBC Sounds.
The Rest is Football, produced by Lineker’s company Goalhanger, is already available on platforms like Spotify, and the move to BBC Sounds marks the first time it will also be available on a BBC platform. The BBC will release one episode of the podcast per week starting next month.
Lineker co-founded Goalhanger Productions, which boasts a successful roster of non-sport shows like The Rest is History, The Rest is Politics, and The Rest is Entertainment. All of these series have sizable fan bases.
In October, Lineker’s future with the BBC was negotiated with the new head of sport for the network. According to reports, Lineker, whose contract was about to expire, was amenable to continuing as host of Match of the Day, but the BBC declined to extend the position.
The BBC highlighted the high viewership of Match of the Day, pointing out that 33 million people watched Premier League and FA Cup matches last season. According to the statement, the show is still a “staple” for football lovers and keeps changing to suit the tastes of its viewers.
Lineker’s skill was lauded by BBC Sports Director Alex Kay-Jelski, who described him as a “world-class presenter” and emphasized his influence on BBC football coverage. The BBC is delighted that Lineker will continue to host live coverage of the FA Cup and World Cup, he continued, even if his appearance on Match of the Day will be missed.
In addition, Kay-Jelski recognized the enduring popularity of Match of the Day, which continues to be one of the most viewed football programs, drawing millions of viewers each week to watch its commentary and analysis.
The departure of Lineker after 25 seasons is a big shift for Match of the Day. He is a legend in the BBC’s sports programming because of his multigenerational hosting role.
Greg Dyke, the former director general of the BBC, who hired Lineker to host the program in 1999, called him “the outstanding sports presenter of his time.” Although Lineker’s departure is a “big loss,” Dyke pointed out that television will inevitably undergo change.
Dyke disagreed with Lineker’s temporary ban for a tweet that criticized UK asylum policies, but he did not speculate on whether the recent issue surrounding Lineker’s social media had an impact on the BBC’s decision.
As a result of the incident, the BBC’s social media standards were reviewed, allowing presenters to express their own opinions on policy issues without becoming politically involved. At the time, Lineker called these rules “sensible.”
Though Dyke acknowledged that social media controversies might have influenced the decision-makers, BBC sources have not revealed whether or not they had an impact on Lineker’s future with the show.
Being a well-known public personality, Lineker’s yearly compensation has frequently attracted notice, particularly as the BBC faces budget cuts and financial difficulties with the goal of saving £700 million annually.
Dyke pointed out that the network’s limited budget might make reallocating Lineker’s compensation to other areas advantageous, and that his departure from Match of the Day is in line with those financial limits.
Lineker will continue to work on high-profile tournaments despite leaving Match of the Day, which Kay-Jelski said demonstrates the BBC’s dedication to keeping him in his position as a live sports broadcaster.
Lineker will be able to leave his long-standing position as Match of the Day on a good note as his future role will mostly focus on live event coverage.
In an interview with Esquire, Lineker reflected on his career and said he may need to “slow down” in the near future. The 63-year-old’s commitment to sports media is demonstrated by his ongoing involvement in other BBC programs.
Lineker has hosted a number of significant events outside of the Premier League throughout his tenure with the BBC, such as World Cups, European Championships, and Sports Personality of the Year.
The Rest Is Politics co-host Alastair Campbell hailed Lineker as a “very hard act to follow,” highlighting both his real personality and his abilities as a presenter.
After a stellar playing career that included stints with the England national team, Leicester City, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Barcelona, Lineker left a lasting legacy in football broadcasting.
