Gary Lineker will step down as the presenter of Match of the Day at the end of the 2024-25 season, the BBC has officially confirmed. This marks the end of an era for the flagship football programme, which Lineker has helmed for the past 25 years.
The BBC also confirmed that while Lineker will leave Match of the Day, he will remain with the broadcaster to cover the 2025-26 FA Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The 63-year-old will continue to contribute to BBC Sport in other capacities, including hosting the Match of the Day Top 10 podcast and his popular The Rest is Football podcast, which is available on BBC Sounds.
Lineker’s contract negotiations with the BBC have been ongoing for several months, with the presenter’s contract set to expire in May 2025. The BBC, which has long been Lineker’s primary employer, confirmed that the new agreement is a positive deal for both parties. The BBC’s highest-paid on-air star, Lineker earns £1.35 million annually. Although discussions surrounding his salary had been part of the negotiations, both sides are reportedly satisfied with the updated arrangement.
In a brief statement, Lineker expressed his happiness at continuing his long-standing association with the BBC, thanking those involved in the new deal. However, he did not elaborate on the reasons for his departure from Match of the Day.
BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski paid tribute to Lineker, describing him as a “world-class presenter” and noting that his departure from the show will leave a significant void. “After 25 seasons, Gary is stepping down from Match of the Day. 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 delighted he’s staying with the BBC to present live football.”
Lineker’s legacy at the BBC is undeniable. Since taking over from Des Lynam in 1999, he has become a fixture on Saturday nights, guiding viewers through the best moments of the Premier League. His time on Match of the Day has earned him critical acclaim, including a National Television Award nomination in 2017.
In addition to his BBC work, Lineker has made significant strides in the podcasting world through Goalhanger Podcasts, which he founded in 2019. The company produces several successful podcasts, including The Rest is Politics, The Rest is Entertainment, The Rest is History, and The Rest is Football.
Lineker has also made headlines beyond the football world, particularly in 2023 when he was briefly taken off air following controversial comments on social media. After comparing government language on small boat crossings to rhetoric used in Nazi Germany, Lineker was reinstated following widespread support from colleagues who pulled out of their own shows in solidarity.
With his departure from Match of the Day confirmed, Lineker’s next chapter at the BBC will see him continue to play a major role in the broadcaster’s football coverage, but it marks the end of an era for one of the most iconic figures in British television.
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