Gary Lineker will step down as Match Of The Day host at end of season, BBC confirms

After 25 years at the helm, Gary Lineker will step down from Match Of The Day, as ITV News' Ian Woods reports

Gary Lineker is stepping down as the frontman of Match Of The Day, the BBC has confirmed.

He will continue to host the broadcaster's coverage of the FA Cup in 2025/26 and the World Cup in 2026.

The 63-year-old former England striker and the BBC have “agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup”.

Lineker said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, added: “Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll 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.”

Lineker will continue hosting the MOTD Top Ten podcast, while his other podcast, The Rest is Football, featuring BBC pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, will now be available on BBC Sounds.

He is the highest-paid on-air talent at the BBC and is under contract until the end of the football season.

However, he was not offered a new contract for Match of the Day, the BBC News reported.

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BBC presenter Gary Lineker Credit: Isabel Infantes/PA

The sports star looked relaxed on Tuesday morning at his home in London as he left to walk his dog.

The former England, Tottenham and Barcelona striker took over the BBC’s flagship football highlights show in 1999 after predecessor Des Lynam joined ITV.

Lineker has been the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent for seven consecutive years and was estimated to have earned £1.35 million in the year 2023/24, according to the corporation’s annual report published in July.

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