Mark Chapman will present the BBC's first Match of the Day of the Premier League season on Saturday, as the broadcaster begins a new era with a rotating lineup of presenters. Chapman is part of a three-person team alongside Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, who will take turns hosting the flagship football highlights programme following the departure of Gary Lineker.
According to the BBC, Cates will host a programme on Wednesday featuring Uefa Super Cup highlights and a preview of the new Premier League season, while Logan will present Match of the Day's Sunday night programme this week. The trio were announced as the new presenting team on 15 January, ending weeks of speculation about Lineker's successor.
Lineker, who had hosted Match of the Day since 1999, stepped down after last season. The 64-year-old had originally planned to leave after the 2023-24 campaign but brought forward his departure following a social media row in which he shared a post relating to the Gaza conflict that contained an antisemitic symbol. Lineker apologised unreservedly but said it was 'best for all concerned' if he left completely.
Cates has been a presenter with Sky Sports since 2016, fronting Premier League coverage. Chapman has over 25 years of broadcasting experience and has regularly presented the BBC's Sunday night Match of the Day. Logan, one of the first female sports anchors on terrestrial television, has covered multiple Olympic Games, World Cups and Commonwealth Games for the BBC, and has previously presented Match of the Day in Lineker's absence.
