Match of the Day to feature three presenters

BBC shifts Match of the Day to a three presenter lineup led by Mark Chapman after Gary Lineker’s departure.

Mark Chapman will be first of new trio to host Match of the Day after Lineker

Mark Chapman will present the opening Match of the Day edition of the Premier League season, the BBC said. He joins Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan in a three person presenting rotation planned for this season after Gary Lineker stepped away following a controversy over a Gaza related post. The BBC confirmed the trio in January, noting that Cates will host a UEFA Super Cup highlights programme and a season preview on Wednesday, while Logan will handle Sunday night MOTD this week. Logan has previously hosted MOTD when Lineker was away and has covered major events for the BBC.

The move marks a shift from a single long term anchor to a collaborative format. It aims to maintain continuity for fans while giving more voices on air. The decision comes amid questions about audience reaction and the ongoing fallout from Lineker's departure. Viewers will watch to see whether the trio can sustain the show's rhythm and style without one dominant host.

The BBC's choice signals a wider strategy to diversify presenting roles in a high profile show. A rotating trio could spread workload and reduce risk if one presenter is unavailable, but it also risks blurring the show's identity and confusing casual viewers. The timing near the season start makes the change hard to gauge, but it sends a message that the network wants to move past last year's controversy while not returning to a single familiar face.

Public reaction will matter as much as on air chemistry. If fans welcome the variety, it could set a template for other sports programs; if not, the show could lose a sense of clear authority. The new lineup also reflects ongoing debates about accountability and how media figures are treated after social media incidents. The BBC will need clear roles and a consistent tone to keep MOTD's trusted voice.

Highlights

The season will reveal whether the new structure can sustain MOTD’s familiar balance of analysis and entertainment.